Define with Curtains	Shading with Fabric	Sheer Outdoor Fabrics

Some type of overhead or awning coverage is warranted as you begin moving toward an outdoor kitchen set up if you don’t already have a roof over your porch or deck.  In a coastal environment for a seasonally used vacation home you might want to consider temporary roofing such as heavy duty umbrellas, shade sails or canvas framed removable, storable materials and systems.  We also stumbled on a more permanent retractable roof system, while researching for this article, but you’ll need some pretty deep pockets for this option. 

Awnings can purchased outright or you can create your own with the array of UV, UVB protection fabrics that are available these days.  Price points are as plentiful as are the colors, prints and fabric grades, from marine (water proof) to sheer options.  Beyond protection from the elements…the sky is the limit in defining your outdoor living spaces and exterior design options with the use of fabrics.

As with any home improvement project, do your research first.  Check out this buying guide to study up on outdoor curtain options that might fit with how you are looking to affect your own outdoor living environment.

Think outside the box; the use of fabrics can be as simple as hanging sheers around your deck or patio with an outdoor friendly curtain rod.  You can get as complex as permanently affixing fabric walls to define specific outdoor areas…or somewhere in between.  We love the idea of installing upper and lower rods to secure enclosed area while leaving the flexibility to open all or portions for your outdoor space needs as they change.

There are some interesting options utilizing Velcro for easy placement and removal of fabric panels, optimizing flexibility in space use.

Another creative option for a standing trellis that can be changed out easily and quickly, providing a unique design element to your outdoor living space, is to weave strips of UV protection materials in and out of the framework.  Depending on how you chose to secure it, your design creation can be as permanent or temporary as you choose to make it.  Velcro, brad- nail or a staple gun…and you are done, ready to entertain in top fashion.

Although some protection from rain and sun will be provided with overhead fabric roofing; insects and wind or driving rain will still be an issue to be contended with to keep your outdoor kitchen protected and comfortable.  Depending on your specific environment, plants , and candles or in the worst conditions, screening which deserves its own blog (coming up) will all help with the insect control.

Stay tuned for permanent roofing options, adding to existing spaces while integrating unique designs with how your family would like to live more comfortably outdoors.

Canvas Roof	Outdoor Drapes	Outdoor Reading Nook

(c) copyright-Kimberlee Carter.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Creative Outdoor Sink	Fancy Outdoor Sink	Concrete Sink

Outdoor kitchens allow for the cooking and the cooker to be integrated with the outdoor fun; not only that, the heat and mess can be kept outside in one space.

Simple grill stations with an ice chest and a hose or extreme fancy outdoor kitchens to something in between; the options are endless. 

Complete kitchens can be added to existing deck and patio locations piece by piece as many of the components are stand alone.  We’ll start with the counters and sink.

If your home is in a coastal location and you enjoy fishing, clamming, shrimping or just enjoy eating and cooking sea-fare, your first addition next to your grill might be a sink and counter space for cleaning and prep work. 

As with all things, you can get as fancy as granite or you can install a repurposed sink and counter from a kitchen remodel, just make sure whatever end of the spectrum you choose, consider that the type of materials needed to withstand outside elements of your environment.

On the Level Contracting and Design specializes in concrete overlay systems, so that is always one of our offerings when talking about durable, lasting, surfaces.  There are plenty of other surfaces that can withstand harsh outside elements; such as stainless steel, granite, tile and even wood.  Before purchasing, research is essential to make sure your choice will fit with the intended environment.

Concrete Counter Top	Stainless Steel Counter Top	Soapstone Counter Top

Insect Invasion	Controlled Environment	Rained Out

Depending on the environment where you live and play; weather, animal and insect factors and how you design your outdoor living space can mean the difference between heaven and hell.

You need only one or two bad stories about a mosquito or fly invasion, too hot sun or a random rain shower to send everyone scurrying back inside forever more, relegating deck and patio usage to too few weeks during the course of the year and the life of your home and family.

We are creatures of comfort and there any number of ways we can accomplish outdoor living to be included into that context.  Outdoor living has come a long way in the past couple of years.  Extreme make over’s include turning your patio or deck into 3 and even 4 season rooms with complete backyard kitchens, dinning spaces and living rooms.  And we will cover them all in our next series of blogs.  Bring the outside in, expand your living area to include valuable outdoor real estate and give your family room to spread out this season.

Stay tuned for ideas on re-purposing your own outdoor living space with links for the do- it -your-selfer or get inspired to pick up the phone a hire a local builder to help you create a space just right for your family.

Down Lighting and Low Lighting	Stair and Rail Lighting	Use of Rope Lighting

Daylight savings time allows us to be outdoors longer and as Spring turns to Summer, adding some exterior lighting is worth the investment for extending it even further.

The selection, flexibility, ease of installation and economy of adding some fixtures not only adds to the aesthetics it positively impacts safety, security and tasking if placed intentionally.  Cooking, dining or reading areas can be created with the placement of some well placed fixtures.  Stairs and handrails can be highlighted creating safety and security and at the same time give your outdoor living space a glow that beacons and invites.

The techniques for outdoor lighting is simple; down lighting, up lighting and transverse; and the types of fixtures is expansive as are the choices of materials and price ranges.  Lighting is a home improvement project that provides an immediate return on your investment for minimal costs.

Cast aluminum, brass, copper, high strength composites, advanced plastics are available in all shapes and sizes from rope lighting to simple as well as ornate landscape pathway torches, spot and flood to name a few.