Learn everything you need to know about outdoor living spaces from Republic West Remodeling!

1. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Everything You Need to
Know About Outdoor
Living Spaces

2. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
If you’ve got a patio, back yard, front
yard, pool area, balcony or deck,
you can transform it into something
truly amazing. Using innovative
remodeling designs, your ordinary
outdoor space can become an
open-air living room that adds value
and comfort to your home
year-round. With the right desig
n and remodeling team, it’s possible
to create your own personal retreat
without traveling to an expensive
resort!
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

3. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Most homeowners take pride in their homes
and want to make the best of their available
space. By designing an outdoor area,
you extend your home’s available living
space. You’re able enjoy beautiful days
outdoors without compromising comfort and
convenience.
The right design will turn your outdoor
space into a functional living area – adding
significant square footage to your home.
You’ll be able to spend more time in the fresh
air, as well as create an inviting space to
entertain family and friends.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

4. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Why Consider an Outdoor Living Space
Do you ever have people over to your home?
If you entertain, you need a living room, right?
But some homes make entertaining tough.
Your inside rooms may be small, have poor
flow and limit the number of people you can
comfortably entertain in your home.
Rather than make you and your guests feel
cramped inside your home, why not expand
your available space to the outdoors? It’s
possible to substantially increase your
available square footage by creating an
outdoor living area for entertaining.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

5. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Plus, if you want to commune with nature,
creating an outdoor oasis will accomplish
that goal too. A well designed outdoor living
space provides a relaxing and tranquil spot in a
natural environment.
The following suggestions will help you get
started with your outdoor project. Although
similar to most indoor remodeling projects,
an outdoor living space has some unique
characteristics to accommodate.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

6. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Stick to a Pre-Determined Budget
Like any other remodeling project, you need
to establish a budget for your outdoor living
space. It’s important to determine how much
you can afford so you don’t over-extend
yourself.
Don’t forget to factor-in contingency costs too.
Remodeling often encounters issues unknown
at the time you start your project. An outdoor
living space may need electrical and plumbing
adjustments. Or, you may need to take special
measures for privacy and protection from the
natural elements.
Also, you don’t need to finish an entire outdoor
space project in one fell swoop. If your budget
is tight, consider doing your project in phases.
For example, you may remodel your patio to
include a living area. Then, when additional
funds become available, you can move on to
installing an outdoor kitchen.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

7. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Determine the Size of Your Outdoor
Space
After you arrive at an available budget, you
can then calculate the size of your project.
Once you know how much space you can
afford to work with, you can start to work on a
design that fits.
Your remodeling company will help you create
a design that can be accommodated in your
space. Your team will prepare potential layouts
for your outdoor living area so you know what
can and can’t be included.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

8. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Create Consistency with Your Home’s
Design
Because your outdoor space is an extension
of your indoor space, you need to make the
design consistent. You want to create harmony
with your existing home design, not something
that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Your overall design theme should flow from
the inside to the outdoors. Everything should
feel connected and make your home appear
larger and more inviting.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

9. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Select Proper Furnishings
Although you may love a particular couch
or table, think about how it will hold up to
weather. Sun, rain, wind and dust all take
a toll on outdoor furnishings. So, consider
materials that will be more resistant.
Examples include rattan, wicker, metal and
other specially treated materials.
Also consider color. This goes along with
creating indoor-outdoor consistency discussed
above. Effective use of color is a great way
to create an outdoor space with its own
personality, yet still complements what you
have indoors.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

10. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Furniture size is an important consideration
as well. First, think about the overall size of
your outdoor space. Then, what can fit in this
space without affecting accessibility, flow and
comfort? You certainly don’t want to buy an
oversized couch because it looks great, but
only fits three or four people comfortably
and takes up a good portion of your available
space. Not planning appropriately for the size
of your furnishings defeats the purpose of
adding outdoor square footage.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

11. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Install Proper Landscaping
Just like other aspects of your outdoor
project, you want to select landscaping that
complements your indoor design. Plants and
lighting help create flow and ambiance as you
move from your indoor space to your outdoor
living area.
If your interior design uses southwest
elements, you may want to include the
same feel with your landscaping. Again,
it’s all about creating harmony and logically
expanding your available square footage in a
consistent, appealing manner.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

12. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Establish a Location with the Best View
Most people want to spend time outside to
bask in nature and enjoy the views. When
creating your outdoor space, make sure you
leverage your existing views. Even if you
don’t face a majestic mountain or have an
elevated view of the city lights, you can still
situate your outdoor living area for the best
possible view.
You may have an outdoor pond, fountain or
pool you want to see. Or a magnificent, tall
tree that provides ample shade year-round.
You may also have a garden with plants
blooming in beautiful colors throughout the
seasons. Be sure to capitalize on the best of
what your location has to offer.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

13. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Think about Privacy
Take the time to carefully consider your
proposed outdoor location. Spend time there
at different times of the day and year to see
how private it is. A tree that blocks your
neighbor’s second story may provide the
desired privacy during the spring and summer
months. But, what happens if it loses its
leaves in the fall and winter? You and your
guests will feel pretty exposed!
Your remodeling company can help design
things to mitigate privacy issues. You may
install a fence, tall plants, screens, canopies
or other design elements to keep your space
always private.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

14. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Consider Shelter from the Elements
Although your outdoor space will look and
feel like an extension of your inside rooms,
don’t forget it will be subject to natural
elements. Sun, heat, wind, rain and dust can
wreak havoc on your furnishings and comfort.
Therefore, you need to design your outdoor
space to minimize their effect.
You and your remodeling contractor can
consider design elements like covers and
landscaping. Umbrellas, gazebos, awnings,
pergolas and other design elements that
provide a “roof” to your outdoor space will
offer protection from wind and rain. They’ll
also provide shade from the sun and keep your
space cooler.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

15. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Walls, screens and landscaping can also help
protect from the elements, especially wind and
dust. Your space will feel more like a room
that’s letting nature in. You’ll also improve the
intimacy and ambiance of your space.
Make Your Space Accessible
Typically, outdoor living rooms are placed
with good access to and from your kitchen. If
you’re creating an outdoor eating area, you
want to be able to conveniently serve your
food. You also need to think about access to
power and water.
A well-designed outdoor living area instantly
enlarges your home. You also benefit from
access to nature and fresh air whenever you
want. You and your guests will love the
tranquility and beauty of being outside.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

16. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Learn about Award-Winning Outdoor
Living Space Designs
The Republic West Remodeling team has
produced award-winning designs over the
past 18 years. With dependable service,
quality craftsmanship, attention to detail,
code of ethics, timeliness and cleanliness, our
experience in the industry is unmatched. In
fact, our standards far exceed anything the
remodeling industry has ever seen.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

17. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
We specialize in outdoor living spaces
including:
• Barbeques & Bars
• Outdoor Kitchens
• Outdoor Dining Areas
• Gazebos & Arbors
• Decking & Flooring
• Outdoor Lighting
• Plants & Planters
• Retaining Walls
• Themed Landscapes
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

18. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Plus, we offer the Dream Assurance Plan™,
a custom remodeling process that strives to
deliver a pleasant experience and a successful
outcome for our customers. This plan includes
the three concepts of design and visualization,
cost certainty and time certainty. With
Dream Assurance, we’ll deliver your outdoor
remodeling project entirely within your
expectations.
For more information on outdoor living
spaces, or to request a free, no obligation,
design consultation, visit http://www.
republicwestremodeling.com/remodeling-and-
construction.php or call (480) 428-2695.
Everything You Need
to Know About
Outdoor Living
Spaces

19. R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
About The Author
Jim Weisman is owner of Republic West Remodeling, an Arizona-based
company specializing in home remodeling: kitchens, bathrooms, room
additions, outdoor living spaces and more. For more information about
Bathroom Remodeling, visit http://www.republicwestremodeling.com today.