Building An Outdoor Extension? Read This...
The craze for outdoor living appears to have increased in the UK in 2020 when many people spent time indoors. However, prior to the pandemic, the nation's demand for an outdoor living saw a steady rise in the previous 5 to 10 years. So, it’s not a bad idea to transform your home by including an outdoor extension. There are several design options and eye-catching small details you could include. In the end, you would have created a picturesque outdoor space you would love to spend time in.
Stay consistent with the colour scheme, textures, etc
Before you start with the extension, it helps to take a critical look at your interior design. Can you identify the main features that stand out from the rest? For example, flooring, decorative pieces, furniture, and wall colour are usually the main things that stand out in any interior. Therefore, as you contemplate extending your living space outdoors, it helps to be guided by consistency. Things like patterns, colours, textures, etc., should be designed to sync with the indoor space. Consistency is critical because the objective is to create a seamless design flow.
Even though you desire to create uniformity, you can add distinctive elements that show subtle differences. For example, with organic accessories, you can show a little transition from the interior to the outdoor areas. Materials like stones, rocks, and live plants are excellent for that desired look. Another technique you can employ is to remain consistent with the design scheme but work with deeper or lighter hues of the interior colours.
Consider land layout, sun direction, and alternating seasons
Is the layout of your outdoor area flat, rough, or slightly sloped? How can you blend the two land layouts as you work on the extension? Sometimes, the differences may appeal to the overall look of the completed project. If your preference is different, you may want to get a professional to level the land surface in the outdoor area to match the indoors. According to building design experts, it is always important to consider the sun's direction for such projects.
If you want to enjoy the sun's warmth and have natural light streaming in during the day, you may want to focus on the north side of your building. Building professionals say values ranging from 20°W – 30°E of true north will be your best bet. As you enjoy the sun's warmth in summer, it may get a little too heated sometimes. In that case, patio blinds can block out intense sun rays and uncomfortable heat. These fittings will also be of great help in winter because they help retain warmth.
Add a retractable sun canopy or awnings
UK's unpredictable weather patterns make the retractable sun canopy one of the best accessories for your outdoor extension. By extending the roof, you get to enjoy your new living space in any season and at any time of the year. However, remember to invest in a retractable sun canopy made from weather-resistant materials. They come in different colours and designs to suit any purpose.