Outdoor Living -
Creating Rooms for Outdoor Activities

by Jennifer Barley, The Concrete Network

As summer nights are longer and the weather is warmer, creating an outdoor space that allows you to entertain, to spend time with your family or just to unwind after a long day is a great way to expand your overall living area. Bringing design to your porches, patios, pools, terraces and backyard is easy to accomplish by creating virtual rooms in your open space.


This Sunset Dream House has an inviting outdoor area that showcases several
outdoor rooms. Photo courtesy of Tom Ralston Concrete, Santa Cruz, California.

Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular. We've come a long way from the charcoal grill by including gas ranges, sinks, faucets and countertop prep areas to outdoor kitchens. The lay-out of an outdoor kitchen depends on your style of cooking from grilling, stir-frying to rotisseries and pizza ovens.


Through the use of natural colors, this concrete pizza oven integrates well with the
palette of the outdoors. Photo courtesy of Tom Ralston Concrete, Santa Cruz, CA

A key factor to consider when designing your space is how the outdoor elements are going to affect your kitchen materials. For countertops and prep surfaces concrete is a safe bet.


Concrete countertop can be molded into any shape you desire.
Photo courtesy of Craftsmanship Workshop,Mission Viejo, California.

Concrete has the ability to handle a large range of temperatures it will stay the same through the dead of winter to the height of summer. Sealers can be applied for water and stain resistance and clean-up can be as simple as hosing down the area. Since concrete countertops are poured into custom molds of any shape you desire, you can integrate soft curves or sharp angles to your outdoor areas, creating motion and rhythm to the space. You can also design a regular countertop as well as a bistro bar area for eating and sharing conversation with the cook.


This multiple level bar brings softness to the counter as well as provides an easy
conversation area. Photo courtesy of Craftsmanship Workshop, Mission Viejo, California.

Sinks are invaluable to an outdoor cook and when selecting an outdoor sink, a heavy 18-gauge stainless steel is the way to go. Stainless steel will be able to hold up to the elements and will not rust. In areas of the country with harsh winters, it is important to install the sink with an indoor shutoff valve to drain the line for the cold weather. Size of the sink depends on how much space there is and personal preference. Faucets should also be made of stainless steel in order to handle the outdoor elements. Other outdoor kitchen amenities may include integrated serving areas, storage cabinets and small under the counter refrigerators.

There is not a better way to savor the summer than to eat dinner outdoors. By integrating a dining area as one of your outdoor rooms, you increase the functionality of the space as well as have a perfect area for family gatherings. One way to bring design to the outdoor dining space is to create a permanent rug through the use of decorative concrete. Creating a pattern on the floor helps define the area and also brings visual interest and color to the area.


This monochromatic design helps to create boundaries and brings visual
interest to the area. Photo courtesy of Big Sky CTI, Lewistown, Montana.

A concrete rug will be able to handle sun, rain, snow and foot traffic and is easy to keep clean. You can add a colorful rug to your existing concrete patio by scoring a pattern with a concrete saw and masonry blade. Colors can be added to the design with a special staining system.


This Navajo inspired concrete rug brings wonderful color and patterns to an
outdoor area. Photo courtesy of Concrete Art, San Diego, California.

Creating a mood for outdoor dining is easy with a vase of fresh cut garden flowers, throw pillows on chairs, colorful umbrellas, lanterns and candles. Hanging wind chimes will add sound to your outdoor oasis every time there is a gentle breeze.

An outdoor fireplace is essential to creating an intimate space for relaxation. To ward off chilly nights or to create romance, the fireplace is great for evening gatherings.


This beautiful fireplace brings rhythm and dimension to this outdoor patio. Photo
courtesy of Craftsmanship Workshop, Mission Viejo, California.

Create a comfortable space by creating a conversation area that centers around the fireplace. Make this living space an extension of your home through the use of furnishings and accent touches. The use of a day bed with a weather-resistant cover, together with fluffy pillows, is a comfortable welcoming sight. Use nesting tables so you can move them around to handle the resting of drinks and snacks near where people are sitting. They can be easily stored away when not in use. If you are looking for minimal care of outdoor furniture, consider having permanent furniture made of concrete.By casting couches, chaises or chairs of concrete, it is easy to soften the look with the use of cushions of vibrant colors and textures.


This concrete sofa is easy to take care of and can withstand all the
elements of nature. Photo courtesy of J. S. Frazer Construction, Sun City, California.

Long gone are the days of drab, grey concrete. Through methods of stamping or staining, there are hundreds of color choices, patterns and designs that can be used to create any shape you can imagine. Place large colorful potted plants to help soften the hardscape area of your living room and to bring continuity and color to your existing landscaping.


Throw pillows bring softness and color to the integrated sofa.
Photo courtesy of Tom Ralston Concrete, Santa Cruz, California.

Furniture groupings for conversation areas should include a minimum of three seating options as well as a coffee table or side tables. This allows people to have a place to rest a drink, a book, or suntan lotion. The conversation area should not interrupt the flow of the remaining outdoor areas. Use planter boxes with trellises to create a wall for an area. By planting flowering vines, you will still have an airy feeling that brings a burst of color and texture to a vertical space.

Outdoor areas are meant to be enjoyed. No matter how large or how small the area you have to work with, the basic principles of design can be followed to create wonderful and inviting functional areas for your friends and family to enjoy.

Jennifer Barley is a student of interior design at West Valley College in Saratoga, California. She is also the Showroom Manager at Bay Plumbing Supply and Showroom in Santa Cruz, California. Jennifer is passionate about the endless options of concrete for creative expression in design. She can be reached at jenn_barley@yahoo.com

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