From a basic outdoor deck to an expansive, well-appointed indoor-outdoor oasis. This all-new outdoor living room with a fireplace and outdoor kitchen creates a comfortable living area for relaxing and entertaining in style, no matter the season.
While the homeowners enjoyed spending time on their backyard deck, they were frustrated by its small footprint and lack of protection from inclement weather and pests. The new outdoor living room features a covered indoor-outdoor living space with plenty of room for outdoor cooking and entertaining. The full-size fireplace and retractable screens extend the outdoor season with comfortable lounging and relaxing nearly year-round.
Before: The backyard deck
The existing outdoor living area consisted of an open-air deck accessible from sliding glass doors off the side/rear of the home. With a view of the wooded backyard, the small deck had enough space for only a seating area and an outdoor grill.
After: The custom outdoor living area
The new covered outdoor living room seamlessly extends the indoor living space. To make the room look and feel like an original part of the home, the addition follows the pitch of the existing roofline. Built for worry-free maintenance, the open-air room is framed using Kleer Lumber cellular PVC trim, siding and board-and-batten on the back wall for an elevated aesthetic but without worry of wood rot. The vaulted ceiling features 3/4” inch tongue-and-groove prefinished hardwood rated for cold weather for year-round beauty and performance. All openings feature remote-controlled phantom screens for easy operation.
To complement the home’s exterior, stacked cultured stone (Prestige, Old Country Ledge in Harvest) is used throughout the new outdoor living room, including the knee walls and fireplace. The sills and fireplace mantle feature the same sandstone with a gas fireplace direct-vented and rated for the outdoors. On the floor, Atlas tile floor in Ridge Ivory (12” x 24”) has the sleek, clean look the homeowners wanted with the performance features that stand up to Cleveland winters.
After: The outdoor kitchen
The new outdoor kitchen is full of function and style: leathered granite surfaces (Taj Mahal) and a stunning custom tile backsplash (Wow Tile in Pottery Graphite with Pottery Graphite Cosmic accents). The kitchen area’s L-shaped layout includes a built-in grill with a hood vented to the exterior, loads of storage, a sink and a refrigerator. Plus, it has a peninsula featuring custom mahogany cabinets with room for bar-height seating.
The outdoor living room is fully wired for the TV, ceiling fan, kitchen appliances and LED lighting, making it feel like a refined indoor space with a relaxed outdoor vibe. This gives the homeowners the ultimate retreat they hoped for.
