Outdoor Entertaining

For many homeowners, the centerpiece of great outdoor living is the deck. Decks form a nearly seamless transition from indoors to the outside, and can be treated as another room of the house — no weeding required.

Ron Spillers, co-owner of Decks by JRW, says when he plans a deck with a new client, one of the first things he considers is the amount of area required. How many people live in the home? If there are children, Spillers will suggest a deck large enough for big toys with built-in safety features — such as solid tempered glass siding.

Then comes the options to tailor the deck to your family’s needs: benches, low voltage lighting, privacy screens, room for a spa, etc. A good deck designer can find creative ways to maximize space, traffic flow and comfort so that the deck will be the place to which your guests naturally gravitate.

A wonderful outdoor area created by Decks by JRW.

“To keep the smoke away from your guests, you can equip the grill area with a stainless steel hood and fan. Many grilling enthusiasts have their grills plumbed directly to their natural gas line so they don’t have to keep refilling propane tanks.

For the remainder of your landscape there are literally hundreds of possibilities depending on your likes, your lifestyle, your budget and your available space. Some of the possibilities you could consider include:

• Fireplaces.
Freestanding fireplaces are gaining in popularity and provide a great place to congregate in the evening. Consider a roofed enclosure if you plan to use it year-round.

• Water features.
These can include fountains, fishponds, waterfalls and streams controlled with a recirculating pump.

• Hard surfaces.
The array of materials available for patios and pathways is endless. They include natural stone; concrete pavers of different shapes, colors and finishes and concrete that can be colored, stamped and textured.

• Lighting.
For busy professionals who leave for work and return home during the dark hours of winter, outdoor lighting provides a beautiful way to enjoy their landscape seven days a week, 12 months a year.

Gary Hodge, lighting designer with Highridge Corporation in Issaquah, says he uses a combination of techniques, including illuminating from above to bathe an area in soft light and give depth to the landscape, and illuminating from below to accent specific areas, such as trees or architectural features.

With an artistic plan and sound structuring, your back yard may be the part of your home your guests will talk about the most, and the place to which they’ll want to return.

Article by Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

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