A landscape designer share how to hide utility program for an outdoor space that ’s both functional and beautiful .
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Outdoor utilities such as anair conditioning unitand trash lavatory are necessary , but they ’re not exactly the prettiest exterior features . Since you ca n’t do without these thing , knowing how to conceal them is key to maintainingcurb appealand creating a relaxingoutdoor oasis . While rain barrels may not be your decorative accents of choice , there are ways to hide and disorder from these outdoor public-service corporation .
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To help you hold in your outdoor utilities , Sarah Carr , chief designer and possessor of landscape architecture firmWord + Carr Design Group , is sharing her skilful tricks of the patronage . She accentuate the grandness of being knowing about where you instal or store these thing in the first place , and portion out what be constituent you could habituate to conceal visually unappealing feature . Merging function , comfort , and ocular interest is key whendesigning your outdoor space , and Carr portion out her in force ways to successfully integrate all three into your design .
Ways to Hide Outdoor Utilities
Be Intentional with Placement
" If potential , be intentional with where you place these thing on your property ; It ’s wanton to hide utilities when they ’re not in an important view , " Carr says . If you just moved into an existing house that already has an installed breeze conditioning unit and a not - so - idealistic blot to domiciliate trash cans , you will have to work with the have set - up and get originative . However , if you are building orrenovating a house , be intentional with the placement of outdoor utilities to save yourself the trouble and cost of hold back or moving them later .
Use Existing Elements
Instead of spending a portion on supplant or lend unexampled outdoor features to veil unsightly things like a recycling can , Carr commend using what you already have . " Use elements that already come along on your property , such as fencing , masonry wall , orevergreen hedgesthat fit subsist conditions to conceal utilities , " she says .
For example , to maintain optical continuity and not drag any extra attention to outdoor utility , plant the same eccentric of evergreen plant hedges around them as are used in other areas of the prop . Similarly , if your trash cans are stored by the side of the business firm , enclose them with the same style of fence that you have around your home . This conceals them in a way that ’s visually cohesive with the remainder if the outdoor distance and looks intentional .
Embrace the Utilities
" Learn when to hug the utilities , " Carr advises . At the end of the day , there are times when contract a more useful approach and leaving utilities give away is actually more beneficial to the overall design of your outside space than attempt to conceal them . " Sometimes , attempting to cover something like a transformer just draws more tending to it , " she says . Since these outside element are necessary components of any business firm , Carr adds , " We ’re all used to catch utilities in the landscape and we ’ve train our eyes to crop over them . "
How to Design a Functional and Visually Appealing Outdoor Space
An outdoor place , whether it ’s thefront yard , a deck , or backyard , needs to check a portion of boxes . The three independent elements of an outside space are function , comfort , and visual appeal . Carr shares her professional tips for flux the three tocreate an outside spacethat ’s as practical to use and comfy to lounge in as it is beautiful to look at .
Design for the Elements
Since an outdoor quad is to a great extent impacted by atmospheric condition precondition , Carr recommend always designing for the elements . keep pragmatic needs in judgment whendesigning a patioor backyard is predominate , as it can pull through you money on additional work and mend down the logical argument .
" A space without shade in the summertime is not a comfortable space to be in and it ’s better to incorporate something like a shade body structure in the beginning then to try out and add it later , " Carr says . Not only does designing for the element make your outdoor space more functional , but it bestow comfort and maintain your exterior ’s unspoiled ocular shape by protecting the domain from damage have by extreme atmospheric condition conditions .
Select Materials Carefully
" Consider your appetency for maintenance when opt material , " Carr says . Material selections are not just about visual prayer , they greatly influence the meter and cost investment in upkeep over clock time . " Somepatio stoneswill ask clean and sealing every twelvemonth for asseverate their show , " Carr explains . Being informed is key to knowing what to expect and avoiding unexpected monetary value , so Carr ’s advice is : " speak to your landscape painting designer about maintenance early and often during the design process . "
