Planning your outdoor space
Garden, Outdoor Architecture, Outdoor design, Outdoor Genie., Outdoor living, Outdoor living space, Outdoor style, Patio, Patio enclosure, Roof terrace, Sun protection, Sun shade, Terrace, Veranda
Let’s face it – All over Africa, and in South Africa in particular, our weather conditions allow us to spend more time outdoors than for instance in Europe where summers are relatively short. A decent outdoor living space will have a very significant effect on the value of your property, and should be an asset to your home. Current trends world-wide, dictate that our outdoor entertainment areas, just like swimming pools, have moved closer to the main dwelling, and in fact should be integrated into the main entertainment area of the home.
The outdoor space therefore becomes an extension of the indoor space.
A decent outdoor living space will have a very significant effect on the value of your property

Look at different options:
Plan ahead
Consumers are no longer completely dependent on specialist advice alone. There is a wealth of information available at our fingertips on the web. The genie suggests that you make use of this resource to plan your outdoor living space carefully before making any financial commitment.
By careful consideration of your needs, you will be able to better determine which products will work for you and which won’t. In this way you also avoid (often expensive) mistakes that may require doing it all over again. It really is worth investing a little extra time on planning.
Gather ideas
We strongly recommend that you search for images, and collect the ones with ideas that you really like. This will make it easier to explain to your architect, builder, designer outdoor specialist what you are aiming for. Make notes of details that are important to you.
The internet is a great resource, and provides you with a tremendous amount of information. Here are some search terms you may want to use. Outdoor living spaces / Patio ideas / Outdoor terraces / Outdoor ideas / Outdoor entertainment.
Here we specifically refer to investigating which type of structure you will use to cover your outdoor space to provide protection against the elements such as sun and rain. There are many options available- from fixed pergola-type structures, to different types of awnings and sails. In addition, it is also possible to enclose the sides of the outdoor space to protect against sun, rain and wind. What are your options when looking at enclosing the sides and what are the positives and/or negatives of each type of side closure?
It is important that the design of your outdoor living space complements the existing architecture of your house. It should also add value to the property, and should preferably increase the overall value of your property by more than you spend. The addition then becomes a worthwhile investment, as it not only provides an area that you can enjoy with family and friends, but also ensures that you can recuperate your expenses in the long term.
There are a number of options available, from decking, to tiling or paving, and even carpets. What are the considerations that need to be taken into account when choosing the flooring?
The furniture and equipment will be largely determined by how you envision the use of the space. If the outdoor space is large enough, you may want to consider an outdoor kitchen, complimented by an outdoor dining set. Perhaps you just want a space where you can enjoy views over the garden whilst relaxing with some friends on a stylish patio lounge set, enjoying a cool drink and good company.
Ask questions about the future maintenance that will be required on each product you consider purchasing for your outdoor space. Consider that the location of your property is critical. If you, for instance, live very close to the beach, corrosion becomes a very important consideration. Then you need products that can withstand the corrosive, salty air.
If your house is situated in an area which is regularly plagued by high winds, you need to know what the wind resistance of your structure is. In general, you should not only look for products that are able to withstand the elements (sun, wind, rain), but also, products that are easy to clean, as the outdoors can get dusty and grimy, not to mention the possibility of algae and other micro-organisms that could cause bad stains on fabrics and other surfaces like wood.
Always check with your local council what regulations would have an impact on your planning. Would you need to submit plans for approval? In South Africa, some municipalities do not consider certain types of structures as ‘permanent’, and would not require the submission of detailed plans.
In addition to municipal regulations, there is also the NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS AND BUILDING STANDARDS ACT 103 of 1977. If your property has been a National or Provincial Heritage site, you will also need top check on the rules and regulations governing this aspect.
In more articles we will deal with each of the above in more detail. Good luck with planning and completing your Outdoor Living Space!

The Outdoor Genie