Outdoor season is upon us, and while you’ll actually be able to venture further than your own yard this year, you can still make your exterior an outdoor oasis worthy of escaping to. The team at Anthony Wilder has five ideas to make the most of any space.
Arbor decks serve a similar function as screened in porches, but they can be built faster and often come with a lower price tag. “With rafters overhead, an arbor gives you a similar sense of enclosure and provide shade. And when designed well, they can integrate seamlessly into the house,” says Anthony, the founder.
On a recent project in Washington, DC, the team added outdoor ceiling fans —that can withstand rain and snow— to the trellis area of the arbor, which can lower temperatures as much as 20 degrees and keep the bugs away.
If you’re looking to gain a little privacy from your neighbors, consider putting up a privacy screen that doubles as a living green wall. “Landscaping and construction are tied together,” says Anthony. “A verdant privacy wall is a great solution that doesn’t take long to build. And it can make the temperature of your outdoor space feel 15 degrees cooler.”
Create a gathering space that you can enjoy nearly all year with a fireplace or a fire pit. Anthony recommends smokeless Zentro fire pits so every seat around it is the best seat in (or outside) the house.
Create a serene space with water and landscaping. “Water draws people to the outdoors,” architect, JP Ward, AIA points out, as does well-placed lighting and thoughtful landscaping. “Good exterior design catches your eye and energizes you when you walk outside.”
While backyards tend to get the most attention when it comes to exterior renovations, outdoor gathering spaces in front of a house have a charm all their own. “If you don’t have a backyard, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy outside time in the front of your home,” says JP. The Anthony Wilder team recently added a sitting wall and flagstone patio right off the kitchen of a Bethesda mid-century modern house. The family has used it to host “front yard Fridays” with their neighbors and family.
Whether you have an exact vision, or no idea what to do with your space, the team at Anthony Wilder starts every project by listening to who you are and how you live. Then they create a space that is more incredible, more personalized, and more functional than you could have imagined. Contact us today to start talking about your project: https://www.anthonywilder.com
Photography by: Anthony Wilder