The world may seem crazier than ever, which makes it even more important than ever to create a private sanctuary at home. You don’t need a huge tract of land. Here are our top tips for creating a private, intimate hideout with masonry in Smithtown, Long Island, NY, areas.
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These ideas can be used whether your backyard is large or small. If your backyard is large, you can create a wonderful flow in the space without chopping it up into cubicle-sized spaces. If your backyard is small, here’s how to maintain a feeling of spaciousness while creating cozy spaces.
Think Vertically
If your landscape is naturally sloped, it’s the perfect opportunity to create multi-level living spaces using retaining walls. You’ll find terraces in the Mediterranean, for example, where separate zones are divided by elevation. The spaces feel united by using similar materials, and the views become more expansive as you go higher. Some of these terraced areas could be spacious enough for a living area; and some could be just deep enough to accommodate some plants to soften the visual weight of the walls.
You can also achieve multi-level outdoor living on a flat property. The patio just outside the back door could be used for cooking and dining; and you could elevate a lounge area on a chic deck made of teak, with a pergola overhead. Using masonry pillars at the base of the pergola, seat walls around the patio and a fire feature made using the same materials will tie the two spaces together.
This is a modern approach to design, which creates visual interest, defines activity zones, and emphasizes various areas.
Fire
Fire brings people together. No matter the size of your yard, you can create an intimate fireside area around a fire pit, fireplace, or fire table. Start by deciding what type of fire feature would most appeal to you. Fire pits are more casual; fireplaces are more elegant; and fire pits are the most chic and sophisticated.
Next, decide on location. A fire pit can be anywhere in the backyard. In fact, placing it in a formerly unused corner can liven up that space and give you a wonderful destination that can be accessed via an attractive walkway. Or, it can become part of the main patio.
For greater intimacy, consider the orientation of the fire feature: toward the main outdoor living space so that it acts as a buffer. A low seat wall - especially one with a tall back - will add to the coziness.
Separate Spaces
Separating the main outdoor living space into smaller “rooms” can make each one feel cozier than if the space were one “great room.” This separation can be achieved by physical distance (such as individual mini-patios connected with short walkways) or by barriers such as raised masonry planters, where the plants can be as dense or airy as you like: either boxwoods for complete separation, or billowy ornamental grasses for a more subtle separation.
To avid the cubicle look, you could also separate spaces using low seat walls. If a space is covered by a pergola or pavilion, this automatically creates definition - and you can accentuate it with a different paver pattern underfoot.
Either way, you want your cozy gathering spots to become destinations - not on the way to the destinations. Place higher-traffic areas such as the outdoor cooking and dining area with convenience in mind, and the more low-key sitting and fireside areas outside of the flow of traffic.
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