The Modern Lake House Covered Patio Reveal!
An outdoor room can be a great way to extend the entertaining spaces of your home. We did just that for this project. We had so much fun going bold on design and color with this small outdoor living space! This covered patio is now the perfect place to relax in the shade with a icy cold sweet tea on warm Texas afternoon… or a chilled brew to watch Sunday Football… or to sip coffee and converse with a friend! Not sure we could pick just one!
While this space was always meant for outdoor entertaining, it sat empty for several years. This modern home was built in 2017. The adjacent gravel patio with fire pit was added in 2019, almost doubling the useable entertaining space. Then, we installed and furnished this design for the covered patio in 2020.
Bold color, playful patterns, durable natural materials and comfortable seating were the design inspirations for this modern outdoor space!
It may seem large and spacious, but this outdoor room is actually nestled in between several circulation paths that connect the main house (left), carport (back) and attached guest house (right). Using the outdoor area rug defines the seating area from the circulation paths. It also adds that unexpected pop of saturated color to a mostly neutral palette that we just LOVE! We also used an outdoor rug pad to give a luxuriously plush, cushioned feel underfoot and to help reduce abrasion from the rough concrete finish below. Allowing some airflow below the rug also helps it dry out faster if it should get wet.
“Welcome to the Patio! Where the neighbors listen to good music, whether they like it or not!”
When we, as designers, think about a space, even an outdoor one, it isn't just in a single dimension. We think through space planning in 3-D, scale and function, lighting elements, sound, wiring, sight lines, circulation paths, furniture arrangements, durability of finishes, and even decor and art. Every design is like a carefully assembled puzzle, where all of the different pieces need to fit together to make a beautiful, completed end result. This outdoor room had to look good and function well, just like like it’s indoor counterparts. It is really a transition space between being fully indoors and fully outdoors.
Beyond just the furniture and decor, this space also sports some great smart home technology to make outdoor entertaining a breeze! During construction all of the pre-wiring was done for a television and sound system. In ceiling speakers with a flush covers are great for use with the television or for just playing music while enjoying this outdoor living space!
Planning Time:
It may be the middle of January, but it’s never too early to start dreaming about warmer days and Spring or Summer entertaining! The crazy thing is, if you do live in a colder climate, now (yes, the middle of Winter) really is the time to start planning for outdoor spaces.
Start early so your space can be ready to use by Spring, when the mild weather finally returns! Call us if you are ready to create or update an outdoor entertaining space!
