One of the luxuries of living in Southern California is the year-round sunshine that allows us to sit poolside more often than not. With such a gorgeous climate, we want to make the most of our days in the sunshine, and around this time of year, we find ourselves wanting to bring the outside in.
Here are five home projects that open your home to the outdoors, helping you make the most of a gorgeous Southern California summer.
Glass
What if you no longer had walls blocking your view of the yard or garden? How beautiful would it be? What would you be able to see from your kitchen, your bedroom? How much more of your property would you begin to enjoy if you could see everything?
Floor-to-ceiling glass is a stunning way to open your home to the outdoors — without having to deal with the extreme heat or moments of inclement weather. It makes even the most mundane chores more beautiful, as you gaze out at your spectacular little patch of earth.
Prefer to look up at the sky? Skylights are a fantastic way to bring natural light into the heart of your home, especially when an open floor plan makes natural light a bit trickier.
Sunroom or Loggia
Creating a sheltered or semi-sheltered outdoor living space allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can sit outside and relax on those perfect days, or when the weather gets too hot or wet, you can create enough shelter to still enjoy the beauty of a rainy day.
A sunroom, for example, provides more shelter from the elements while still inviting the light and views to flood in. If you’re looking for less coverage and more access to the outdoors, however, a loggia or covered outdoor living space provides all the indoor comforts without losing that outdoor experience.
Courtyards
When most people think about outdoor living spaces, they immediately envision the backyard. But don’t forget about courtyards! Whether they’re located in the front yard or within the perimeter of your property, courtyards invite you to enjoy the outdoor spaces surrounding the rest of your home. Plus, courtyards are an unexpected entertaining space, where you can serve beverages to neighbors, or simply grab a good book and read while overlooking the fountain.
Outdoor Showers
While most outdoor living spaces are built for eating, drinking and relaxing, sometimes it’s nice to bring the less predictable spaces outdoors — for an entirely different experience. An outdoor shower, for example, can have multiple benefits, from a spa-like experience to more functional purposes.
Looking for something luxurious? Create enough privacy to shield the shower from view, and add a rain-style shower head and smooth stone floor. Interested in something more kid-friendly and functional? An outdoor shower can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors without actually tracking them inside the house. Add a space to sit down or get changed, and your guests won’t ever have a reason to bring those pesky drops of water and mud inside.
Outdoor Kitchen
Who doesn’t love an outdoor kitchen? When summers push past 100˚, no one wants to cook indoors and heat up their home. Cue the outdoor kitchen. It’s the cornerstone of outdoor entertaining. So what makes the perfect outdoor kitchen? Here’s your ultimate checklist: built-in grill, sink, cabinets and shelving, shade sail or cover, mini-fridge and even a flat screen TV. If you want to add something extra special, consider a stone pizza oven, ceramic smoker or built-in keg refrigerator with a tap.
Balconies or Decks
Maybe you don’t want to spend all your time outside, but you love enjoying those brief moments of perfect weather that, in Southern California, usually appear on a daily basis when the sun is just right. A balcony or deck is the perfect excuse to enjoy the weather when it’s nice, and return to the indoors once you’ve had a moment to relax and take it all in. Especially when the balcony is added to the master suite, it can create some privacy and quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house.
About Your Southern California Construction Company
Southern California construction company Randal G. Winter Construction strives to provide high-quality workmanship using skilled trades-people, up-to-date technology, and superior products. Our company takes into account the customer’s needs, timelines and designs, integrating those elements with our experience and knowledge of construction. Our goal is to build a finished product of which both our company and our clients are proud. We’ve been family owned and operated for over 35 years, and we take great care to treat your house with the respect it deserves.
