Bringing The Living Room Outside
Bringing the Living Room Outside
Summer is here! Well at least officially – it’s always Summer in Miami. With many businesses, moving towards full re-openings, outdoor activities and green spaces continue to remain popular both at home, in municipalities and even in some condominium communities. As people move their lives more and more outside, many have taken the time to embrace the outdoors within their own dwellings even if it’s a balcony while others are motivated to start the process this year to enjoy designing their outdoor spaces in similar ways on how they decorate their indoor spaces. Here are some ideas from listing we have either represented the sellers or buyers.
You will notice accessories such as area rugs, comfortable furniture in materials for the outdoors. Exterior beautiful and quaint lighting, umbrellas, lounge chairs, outdoor/summer kitchens, flat surfaces to place food and drinks, flat screen tvs and overall a relaxing inviting outdoor space. And note, if you are thinking of selling and already happen to have some of these elements, these are attractive points for buyers. Sometimes so attractive that might ask you to include them the sale of the house – we have seen it happen!
Outdoor/Summer Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are literally hot! It’s not just a grill but we are also seeing them with sinks, a fabulous cooking range, wine coolers, appliances such as refrigerators, some cabinetry even luxurious countertops. If have enough space, you can even build it as a focal point for entertaining guests in style and gather around a large dining table close by,
Exterior Lighting
Soak your outdoor space & transform it to a magical place. Even when it’s simple, a patio’s where you’ll want to spend as much time as possible in nice weather – ask any Miamian when it drops to below 70 degrees, we are all wearing jackets and boots to be outdoors. There are so many options today to select from temporary lighting options like candles, kerosene lamps or just a few hanging string lights. These will not create as much illumination but can set the tone. You may also want to consider a solar-powered patio lighting. When the sun goes down, they switch on and is cost-effective.
More Shades Must-Haves
So Miami Summer can be extremely hot and humid but your outdoor space doesn’t have to be with the proper covered patio to allow you to enjoy it longer from rain and heat. Many homeowners are considering sliding glass doors to open up to cover patios from living rooms and kitchen areas to blend both spaces freely.
“Using removable canopies or umbrellas in climates like Southern California where the patio can be used in winter,” says Monica Mroz, ASLA/PLA, Monica Mroz Landscape Architect, “You’ll be shaded from the summer sun and enjoy the warm sunshine in winter.”
If your patio or backyard is surrounded by trees installing a removable canopy or sunshade helps block out the sun plus look for one that prevents pooling of water. Once installed, you leave it in place until you are ready to put it away – just pay attention to wind gusts that could tear away during a heavy rainstorm.
Freestanding patio gazebos are another option and many in South Florida love them! It becomes a focal point and can even include an entertainment area such as this property here we just sold in Schenely Park.
And last, when it comes maintenance of outdoor furniture and durable weather-resistant fabric, make sure you remember to wash the fabric with mild soap and water and use a household oils on any moving/mechanical parts to keep them working well. You might have some insects or bacteria stuck that may leave marks. Have a Living Room outside? Send us pictures of your space!
Let’s keep building each other up, making connections and together, we can make South Florida a wonderful place to continue to call home for generations. Feel free to share with friends and family too – remember my motto still stands: I move fast so you can too! For more information, visit us too on Instagram: oscar_arellano_realtor and always at 305-525-7324. Look forward to meeting you! On behalf of all of us at The Oscar Arellano Team thank you for the confidence you give us to better serve you.
