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Porches & Decks

Help with outdoor space on new addition! Pergola, Patio, BBQ

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I'm in the middle of a kitchen remodel and an addition on the back of my house. I am struggling with designing a backyard space next to the house. Specifically a large patio and pergola and outdoor kitchen type system. Possible a slightly sunken hot tub near the master bedroom.

The plan is to have the patio at the same level of the house floor, so that you can walk out the big double slider without a step down. Have a step down to grass all the way around the patio.

I want most all of it covered with a large pergola... Not sure what to do with the area closest to you in the picture. I'm attaching a picture of the house currently, and of the house plan the lot. Anybody that wants to sketch something cool, that would be AMAZING! ;)

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Comments (3)

fst96se
Original Author
8 years ago
Hmm, can't upload photos.
fnmroberts
8 years ago
Back Lawn and Patio

Above is a link to photos of our backyard and patio. Many of them have commentary below the picture. I can only comment on a few considerations we made and reasons we did what we did.

Egress - our house exit is 21" above the patio. We built an "egress porch" (in reality a small deck) with landing-style steps to safely transport items in/out.

Pergola - we wanted both shade and sunny areas so our Pergola shades the table. We added valances to block low sun. Adjacent trees have grown over almost 20 years so that umbrellas really aren't necessary any longer.

Hot Tub - initially considered extending the "deck" to surround the hot tub. But, access to the service panel would become very difficult so we scrapped the idea. Steps work fine.

Kitchen - we only have a natural gas grill. Plenty of electrical connections have been provided so that whenever we want to serve a hot buffet we simply set a table with hot plates, etc.

Patio - we comfortably accommodate >20 people in roughly 750 sq. ft. Seating gets moved around as individuals need.

Hope this helps.
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I do plan to get some electricity back there, by next year at the latest, as I want to have some decent lighting for the winter. Our weather is pretty much the same in winter as it is in summer, and so the lighting would be all we need. Of course we wouldn't use it when it rains. I do have a fountain nearby - a wall fountain on the back of the house - you can sort of see it but I will post some better ones later. In the big plan, I will put a fairly large fountain in the middle of the back yard, and there will be a good view of it from the pergola, as well as from my bedroom window! I haven't seen any mosquitoes, and we generally get good sea breezes in the evenings, although it can get a bit cool on a summer's evening. I'm hoping we will be able to attract more people to visit us - which is somewhat difficult in L.A., due to the distances and other distractions. I took this photo this morning before going to work, and so the sun was at an odd angle and really too bright. I forgot to take my camera with me when I went home for lunch, but I do need to get a few more things rearranged. My night-blooming Queen of the Night epiphyllum is blooming tonight. I think it bloomed last night, but I missed those blooms. I have it on the front stoop now because it was getting too much light in the back yard. It used to be beside the old gazebo and was still getting burned. Last year I missed the blooms because I didn't realize that they opened only at night. Lars
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Are you living in the house now? - I would start by listing all the uses I want for the yard and patio. Such as: Soccer field? Veggie garden? Outdoor dining and or seating area? (Nothing elaborate is worthwhile in my part of NH due to bugs) BBQ? Play structure? Compost pile? Etc, etc. - Do you need any additional storage beyond the garage/outbuilding? - Traffic patterns? Where will you walk, are there ways to move the lawnmower around the buildings, etc? - Are there views you want to block or views you would like to enhance? - Do you like the idea of herbs or other edibles by the patio or would you prefer ornamentals? - Would you like to have an enclosed, private feel, or open views from the patio? - Do you need space for large gatherings or are you more likely to have a small number of folks using your space? Then start collecting pictures of yards, gardens, and patios that appeal to you and would look good with your style of home. Look at online images and Houzz photos and library books and garden magazines. Your designer (hopefully your Landscaper actually has design training) will benefit from having ideas of what you want and what appeals to you to start from. Think about budget and time. Will you be installing the design in parts over time, either as DIY or hired out in pieces? Or is this something that you will want done all at once?
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I like the idea of a pergola too. If you cantilever it off the wall, you can avoid having a post in your walkway. Make it deeper and use it as a shaded living area. There are lots of possibilities for that wall in addition to the ones already mentioned - an outdoor kitchen, a place for lounge chairs or a group of chairs around a propane fire pit... You mentioned the area where the salt bags are placed is the optimal place for sunbathing so are you saying you'd like to fit lounge chairs there? Your seating looks to be pretty far off of your retaining walls, if you wedged the grouping closer to the door and retaining walls, it would open up and maximize the largest part of the hardscape plus create a path so you can place some lounge chairs by the pool and then slide them back toward the retaining wall in the cold season. You did a great job on the remodel, especially your stairs.
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PRO
Shade Outdoor Living Solutions
8 years ago
Great ideas so far! Our smart pergola by Arcadia has really helped facilitate needs much like yours. We find a lot of our clients hesitant to give up one thing over another due to either the pergola itself, the space, or restrictions. One thing to keep in mind with a wooden pergola although beautiful and helpful is that in most cases it is wooden, and it requires some maintenance over time. You potentially risk the problem of an open flame for a bbq, grill, and fire pits. Another that we encountered was the overall maintenance during the course of seasonal change and climate changes. Rain, sun, heat, and cold weather all take its' toll on wood, even treated wood with oil or stain.

We would love to help you create the perfect patio just the way you dream it to be! We invite you to take a look at our page, gather some ideas, and see what the Arcadia Louvered Roof could provide for your home. Our system is completely customizable in color and size, allowing you to keep every possibility available! Our built in gutter system keeps you dry and allows you to provide shade at any time of the day!

Good luck and let us know how we can help with your Houzz project!

-The Shade Team

Shade: Outdoor Living Solutions

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