As a complement to my previous post, I wanted to illustrate how the correct scale and proportion of an area can greatly enhance its usefulness. The front patio of this condo is the only outside space for the home, so every square inch of it is precious real estate.
Before
The oversized table, chairs and umbrella take up the entire area, provide only seating for four and leave no room for traffic flow. If you open the sliding doors from the living room, you walk straight into a chair, not ideal for indoor/outdoor living.
At the opposite end of the patio are two trellises, assumably for privacy, but they add no value to the outside and the privacy issue can be addressed more efficiently.
The first step is to have a plan of action. Determine how you want to use the space. How many people do you want to accommodate? Next measure the entire area. If there are doors, windows or gates, measure these and the space between them as well. Next go shopping with your measurements in hand and find 2 or 3 potential furniture candidates..but don't purchase anything yet. Get spec sheets on your candidates or measure them in store. Now come home and see how each of your selections would fit in your space. If you need more of a visual aid, cut out butcher paper or tape out on the floor where each piece will fit to see if there is enough room. You extra effort will be greatly rewarded!
After
As you can see, with properly scaled furniture we were able to create a comfortable seating area that includes a loveseat, two chairs and a coffee table. Accessories, planters and a larger bbq grill complete this side.. all while enabling good traffic flow around the furniture and into the living room, when the sliding doors are open.
On the opposite side, there was ample room for a bistro set and planter. The table and chairs offer flexibility depending on the occasion. They can be pulled around the seating area, used as a serving table for parties or simply a great place to enjoy a morning coffee. As the Bird of Paradise grows, its' lushness will enhance the oasis feeling of the now very useful, albeit modest, space.
No comments:
Post a Comment