Sheltering in place has made many people aware of what’s lacking in their landscapes. Although new landscaping projects are still not allowed (as of this writing), this is the perfect time to do some planning so that when work resumes, you will have the perfect outdoor space for you and your family. Here are __ ways to improve your Cortlandt Manor, NY, outdoor living space with innovative masonry.
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First, identify the essentials: what you would like to do in your backyard and the kind of welcome you want your front yard to present. Making a list of your must-haves will help you prioritize and also to design an outdoor space that you won’t outgrow. Focus on two things: what you want do in your landscape, and how you want to feel.
An Upgraded Patio
This is likely where you will spend most of your outdoor time, so put special emphasis on making this a place that fills you with joy every time you step outside. Any patio can be enhanced with a few masonry features:
Seat walls help define the space and make it feel cozier. They also provide overflow seating and a place to put colorful potted plants.
A small patio addition can help take one key element of patio living and put it into its own dedicated space. A “peninsula” type of addition means you don’t have to use the same patio materials - it can look intentionally different - and it’s the perfect spot for a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, or a pergola-covered seating area. Once again, a seat wall around the perimeter adds a sense of comfort, additional seating, and decorating options.
A Better Cooking Area
If you feel like you’ve outgrown your grill station but don’t want to spring for a full outdoor kitchen (which can take up considerable space), you can have the best of both worlds with an L-shaped cooking area where one leg is dedicated to cooking (including a grill and pizza oven, for example) and the other leg is a bar with ample seating for the whole family and under-counter storage. This space can be faced with natural stone or concrete wall units to harmonize with your patio. Best of all, and L-shaped cooking area can be tucked into a corner to open up the patio!
Planters
Add privacy to your patio space with a natural living wall: masonry planters filled with boxwoods or ornamental grasses are much more attractive than a boring privacy fence. Break up a too-large patio space with masonry planters. Or, put a masonry planter next to the outdoor kitchen as a way to have fresh herbs on hand!
Water
Nothing adds more tranquility to your outdoor space than water. Inspired landscape design almost always features a fountain, waterfall water wall, or pond. It can match the veneer of your outdoor kitchen, retaining wall or fireplace, or be its own unique focal point by choosing a different material, style, or color. Water features add a welcoming element to your front entry, add drama to the backyard, or act as the centerpiece of a zen nook tucked away in a corner.
Fire Features
Fire brings people together. If you want something that’s less rustic than a fire pit or less imposing than a big fireplace, consider a fire table. This natural gas- or propane-fueled fire feature can be coffee table height, dining table height, or bar height and gives you the perfect mix of ambience and convenience. It’s a chic addition to your patio and a real conversation starter!
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