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December 28, 2024
Patricia Brown
8 min read

Creating Outdoor Living Spaces That Extend Your Home

Design ideas and construction tips for creating seamless indoor-outdoor living with decks, pergolas, and outdoor rooms.

Outdoor Living Spaces

The line between indoor and outdoor living continues to blur as homeowners seek to maximize their living space and embrace South Florida's year-round outdoor weather. At SaS Broward, we specialize in creating outdoor living spaces that feel like natural extensions of your home, providing comfort, functionality, and style in perfect harmony.

Benefits of Extended Outdoor Living

Lifestyle Benefits

Increased Living Space: Effectively double your usable square footage
Enhanced Entertainment: Perfect spaces for hosting family and friends
Health & Wellness: More time outdoors improves physical and mental health
Year-Round Use: South Florida's climate allows constant outdoor enjoyment

Financial Benefits

Property Value: Quality outdoor spaces add 15-25% to home value
Energy Savings: Outdoor cooking and dining reduces indoor energy costs
Market Appeal: Outdoor living spaces are highly sought after by buyers
Cost-Effective: Less expensive than indoor additions per square foot

Essential Elements of Outdoor Living Spaces

Foundation & Structure

The foundation of any great outdoor living space starts with proper structural elements:

Decks & Patios

Solid foundations for outdoor furniture and activities

Pergolas & Gazebos

Overhead structures providing shade and definition

Outdoor Rooms

Enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces with walls and roofing

Pavilions

Freestanding structures for large gathering areas

Screened Enclosures

Protection from insects while maintaining outdoor feel

Retaining Walls

Multi-level spaces and built-in seating options

Comfort & Functionality

Creating comfortable, functional spaces that rival indoor rooms:

Climate Control

  • • Ceiling fans and misting systems
  • • Fire features for cooler evenings
  • • Strategic shade placement
  • • Wind barriers and screens

Seating Solutions

  • • Built-in bench seating
  • • Outdoor sectionals and loungers
  • • Bar-height seating areas
  • • Swing beds and hammocks

Storage & Organization

  • • Weather-resistant storage cabinets
  • • Built-in planters and displays
  • • Hidden utility storage
  • • Outdoor entertainment centers

Technology Integration

  • • Outdoor-rated televisions and audio
  • • Wi-Fi extenders and charging stations
  • • Smart lighting and automation
  • • Weather monitoring systems

Popular Design Styles

Tropical Resort

Materials:

Natural stone, bamboo, teak, and woven textures

Features:

Water features, lush plantings, thatched roofing

Colors:

Earth tones, ocean blues, and tropical greens

Modern Contemporary

Materials:

Steel, concrete, glass, and composite decking

Features:

Clean lines, geometric shapes, minimalist design

Colors:

Neutral grays, whites, and bold accent colors

Mediterranean Villa

Materials:

Travertine, wrought iron, stucco, and tile

Features:

Arched openings, columns, and ornate details

Colors:

Warm terracotta, cream, and Mediterranean blues

Planning Your Outdoor Room

Step-by-Step Planning Process

1

Define Your Lifestyle Needs

Consider how you want to use the space and who will be using it.

  • • Entertainment frequency and guest capacity
  • • Cooking and dining preferences
  • • Relaxation and recreation activities
  • • Privacy and noise considerations
2

Assess Your Space

Evaluate your property's potential and constraints.

  • • Available square footage and layout
  • • Sun patterns and wind directions
  • • Existing utilities and access points
  • • Views, privacy, and neighborhood considerations
3

Set Your Budget

Establish realistic budget ranges for different project scopes.

  • • Basic outdoor room: $15K - $30K
  • • Mid-range with amenities: $30K - $60K
  • • Luxury full-featured space: $60K - $100K+
  • • Factor in permits, utilities, and landscaping
4

Design & Build

Work with professionals to bring your vision to life.

  • • Professional design consultation
  • • Permit acquisition and approvals
  • • Phased construction timeline
  • • Quality materials and craftsmanship

Transform Your Outdoor Living Experience

Creating outdoor living spaces that truly extend your home requires careful planning, quality construction, and attention to detail. The result is a seamless blend of indoor comfort with outdoor beauty that enhances your lifestyle and property value.

At SaS Broward, we understand how to create outdoor rooms that feel like natural extensions of your home while taking advantage of South Florida's perfect climate for year-round outdoor living.

Ready to Extend Your Living Space Outdoors?

Let SaS Broward help you design and build the perfect outdoor living space that seamlessly extends your home. Contact us today for a free consultation and design session.