If you’ve been wondering how much use you’ll get from a backyard that mostly centers around a pool, there are some creative workarounds that can make all the difference. Here are landscape design tips for a backyard that can be used year-round in the Oyster Bay and Southampton, NY, areas.
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Incorporate Shelter and Warmth in the Backyard
For a patio that will be in use not just in summer, you’ll want a place to retreat from any cold and dampness—and an opportunity to warm up quickly when necessary.
A pavilion (an open-sided structure with a solid roof) is a great choice for an all-season shelter. While the sides remain open, you could position a large outdoor fireplace on the windward side, not only to block the wind but to add warmth, which will to some degree be trapped by the solid roof. Temporary walls can also be added to a pavilion to transform it into a multi-season room.
An outdoor fireplace attached to a pavilion is the ultimate in luxury. A temporary polycarbonate roof to the pergola will enable you to enjoy this area on rainy days, or you could keep it open and airy and designated solely for the warmer days. Either way, this combination will offer a festive place to enjoy a warm fire even on a day when low temperatures have traditionally kept you inside.
If you prefer a freestanding fire feature, then a fire pit could be your best bet for keeping everyone warm on cold days. A fire pit allows everyone to gather around the fire and soak up the warmth. You could even create a sunken fire pit area with built-in seating that will block the wind. Just add some cozy cushions to take the chill off the stone or stone-like features; and before you know it, the materials beneath you will soak up the heat from the fire to create a very welcoming place to enjoy fresh air, no matter what the weather forecast says.
Fire pits that are fueled by natural gas or propane won’t give off quite the heat that a wood-fueled fire pit will, but a natural gas or propane fire pit nestled in a sunken pit (or simply surrounded by high-backed seating) will still create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere.
Carefully Plan Out the Pool Area
If you can’t imagine a backyard without a pool, consider a smaller pool footprint, such as a cocktail pool (or dipping pool), which will give you all the fun without taking up so much space. And even when the pool is closed up for the winter, you could still enjoy your pool area if you add the following:
A hot tub: Integrating a hot tub into the pool deck gives you a very compelling reason to venture out there even on the coldest days.
Shelter: A pavilion or gazebo in close proximity to the hot tub, along with an attached outdoor fireplace, will give you a cozy place to keep from getting chilled after a soak in the hot tub, as well as a cheery place to hang out on crisp days when getting wet isn’t on your to-do list.
In-ground heating system: One trend to consider is the addition of a driveway heating system to the patio, especially for a patio that will be used in winter. This prevents snow and ice from building up, and actually adds a very subtle warmth to the space, which your feet will welcome if you’ll be sitting by the fire on frosty days.
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