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Serving the Naperville Community
Serving the Naperville Community
 If you’re looking to freshen up your landscape, you’re probably looking at ways to make it more modern and on-trend. To help you with your design decisions, here are the hallmarks of contemporary landscape design and landscaping in Wheaton, IL. Related: Landscape Design Ideas for Showstopping Entrances in Hinsdale and Naperville, IL Areas Today’s outdoor living is very different from when you were growing up. Most backyards had a simple patio or deck, a portable grill, a picnic table with a sun umbrella, and cheap lawn furniture. Today, homeowners are blurring the line between indoors and out. They want many of the same amenities, and all of the comforts and conveniences. They are looking for more sophisticated backyards for entertaining, and many are more eco-conscious and want backyards that are environmentally friendly. The good news is you can have all of that with modern landscape design. Pavers If there’s one element that adds sophistication to your outdoor living spaces, it’s pavers. Paver patios look and perform better than any poured concrete patio, or wood or composite deck. Concrete pavers are available in a huge array of styles, colors. You can even get permeable driveway pavers, which will reduce runoff and keep your driveway safer since snowmelt and rain filter through to the ground below. Beauty and function combined means pavers offer a significant boost to your home’s value! Fire A fireplace, fire table or fire pit gives everyone a place to gather. If you don’t want the massive proportions of a fireplace, opt for a fire table meant to be dined around; or a fire pit that brings back campfire memories. Whichever style you choose, you can adapt its aesthetic to fit your style! A Pergola Forget flimsy umbrellas. Up-level your shade solution with a chic pergola! This timeless piece of outdoor architecture can shelter an outdoor kitchen (and keep it cooler, too, since the roof is open and heat can escape), a dining area, or a sitting area. Integrate it into your awesome new paver patio by setting the pergola’s supports on masonry pillars. Add fun string lights and gauzy outdoor curtains and you’ve transformed your backyard into a resort-worthy retreat! A Zen Retreat Create a quiet space where they can relax with a book, meditate, or nap. Dedicate a small part of a side yard to an enclosed private retreat. Tall privacy fencing, minimalist plantings such as ornamental grass, a comfortable place to lounge, and a soothing water feature are all you need. Eco-Friendly Design Low-maintenance and water-wise native plants, and specialty areas like edible gardens or pollinator gardens are beautiful and eco-friendly. A few raised bed masonry planters throughout the backyard can give your edible or pollinator gardens their own presence; plus, raised bed masonry planters with a generous ledgestone are a delight to sit on. Smaller Lawns Instead of a sea of grass, create a series of interconnected patios that each have their own distinct personalities and uses. These can be surrounded by any kind of vegetation you like to keep the space beautiful; and, they can replace a chunk of fussy, thirsty lawn! Integrated Landscape Lighting Today’s landscape lighting fixtures are unobtrusive. Many are carefully concealed in vegetation, or integrated into retaining walls or pillars. With so many different lighting techniques to choose from, you can create exactly the nighttime ambience you want using a multitude of low-wattage bulbs, without any harsh shadows or scary dark corners. Smaller Kitchens Fully outfitted outdoor kitchens are a must if you’re a serious cook/entertainer. But for most people who want just a little more than a grill station, one fresh solution is to simply add a peninsula bar and a pizza oven to your grill station. This creates an L-shaped cooking space that’s big enough to seat four or more people and give you more work space, without taking up the entire patio. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties
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 The mid-century modern look is a style that ushered in the era of modern design. It inspired later trends, but has stood the test of time. Mid-century modern patios are just as chic today as in the 1950s. Here are 5 ways to achieve a mid-century brick patio in Hinsdale, IL.
Related: Landscape Design Ideas for Showstopping Entrances in Hinsdale and Naperville, IL Areas Mid-century patios echo the linear shapes, mixed traditional and modern materials, and emphasis on functional beauty that characterize the famous mid-century modern style. Here, we’ll discuss the five characteristics of the mid-century modern style as they relate to outdoor living spaces. 1. Form Follows Function Objects and spaces weren’t created to be purely decorative. Instead, the mid-century patio puts beauty into functional elements such as retaining walls, fire features, water features, outdoor kitchens, and patio materials. Every element of the patio serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. From patio pavers to the veneers on your grill station, every element is chosen with great care for their visual impact as well as practicality. Today’s brick pavers are easy to care for, and you can recreate a natural or man-made look according to your preferences (for example, you can find brick pavers that mimic the look of tumbled limestone, or smooth and sleek pavers that are unabashedly not trying to look like a natural building material. 2. Minimal Ornamentation Since patio elements themselves are the focus, there is a distinct lack of ornamentation. The lovely textures and patterns of the patio pavers, plantings, and fencing keep the eye occupied and contribute to a lack of clutter and a fresh, open feel. This is a brilliant solution for small backyards. Since concrete can be colored and formed to virtually any style, you can take the opportunity to emphasize paver texture as a way to bring interest to the space. 3. Lack of Clutter The mid-century patio uses clean lines and a mix of organic and geometric forms such as large format square brick pavers on the patio, a horizontal teak slat privacy wall, and a few rounded chairs around a fire pit. Underfoot, large format pavers in neutral colors contribute to an uncluttered feel. The lack of joint lines makes the space feel unified; and neutral colors that blend into the environment also visually expand the space. 4. Use of traditional and Non-traditional Materials Brick is certainly a traditional material, but it can take on a distinctly modern vibe by changing up the shape. Today’s “brick” choices include the standard clay-brick shape that has been around for centuries, as well as more modern shapes such as oversized squares (24” x 24” or even larger) or plank-like pavers in colors not normally associated with bricks. Non-traditional building materials are also used. For example, Plexiglas panels around the pool serve as an interesting contrast to the textural and visual richness of brick pavers separated by ornamental pebbles in a darker color. 5. Use of Bold Color The style utilizes a huge range of color. The main patio features are still natural: brick, wood, and natural stone (brick as the main patio field, wooden privacy fencing, and decorative stone used throughout as accents or banding). Accent colors are primarily found in furniture: too much bold color on the patio can make the space feel busy. While banding and accents are not a mid-century modern feature, you can use them to create contrast between horizontal and vertical elements. For example, you could achieve bold contrast with a cinnamon-brown privacy fence, a sand-colored masonry fire pit, and neutral mid tone grey brick pavers. Related: 3 Landscaping Ideas for Making Your Naperville, IL Property More Useful Make an Outdoor Living Space Feel Like Home With Outdoor Lighting and a Fire Pit in Naperville, IL7/7/2020  One of the comforts of home is the ability to turn on the lights when dusk starts to set in, and continue on with your evening, whether you are cooking, reading, working, watching television or enjoying a family game night. When you are doing these activities in your backyard, why bother with cleaning everything up and going inside when the sun starts sinking down? Your outdoor spaces should be just as enjoyable and as functional as your indoor spaces. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your landscape beautiful while getting the most out of it functionally. These are our ideas on how to make an outdoor living space feel like home with outdoor lighting and a fire pit in Naperville, IL.
Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties Patio Lights Seamlessly continue your daytime activities into the night with modern patio light designs. For homeowners who frequently find themselves on the patio, install elegant fixtures on the side of the house or fence that is adjacent to your patio with sensors that will switch the lights on when it starts to get dark outside. For a modern and lively atmosphere, hang a set of globe string lights across your patio, lawn or pergola. Ground Lights Navigate safely throughout your yard long into the night with the installation of ground lighting. Whether you are arriving back home after dark or bringing snacks out to the fire pit, ground lighting provides peace of mind along with a variety of sophisticated designs. These types of lights are designed to look decorative during the day, and commonly use solar-powered batteries which will turn on automatically when it starts to get dark out. Moonlighting Another way to combine safety and ambiance is with the installation of moonlighting. These lights remain hidden in trees or tall structures during the day, and at night bathe your yard in a soft, cool-colored glow. Allow this style of lighting to provide ample visibility throughout your yard, while staying true to the natural nighttime environment. Uplighting While this style of lighting is slightly different from what you’d find indoors, uplighting is a popular landscaping technique that allows you to enjoy your outdoor decorations at night. Similarly to ground lights, uplighting is installed on the ground, but instead of illuminating a walkway or patio border, they shine up onto the prominent fixtures of your yard such as trees, fountains, gardens and even the siding of your house. When these types of statement pieces are part of your enjoyment in your yard during the day, it makes sense that you’d also want to delight in them at night. Backyard Fire Pit From candles to fireplaces, dancing flames are an enchanting feature both indoors and outdoors. However, enjoying a fire in the great outdoors doesn’t have to mean that you have to “rough it.” Bring the coziness of a campsite fire, or of an indoor fireplace, into your backyard with a fire pit. Fire pits can be large or small, portable or permanent, stone or metal. A permanent stone fire pit is a great place to gather with family and friends to share stories and toast marshmallows. Add an extra element of comfort to your stone fire pit with the addition of a surrounding paver patio and benches. You can also find metal fire pits in many different sizes and designs. Related: Bored At Home? Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Hinsdale, IL Backyards  One landscape feature can extend your enjoyment of the great outdoors well into the cooler months: a fire pit. In fact, cooler temperatures encourage people to gather around the fire! Here’s how a landscape design plan can benefit from the addition of a fire pit in Wheaton, IL - not only to give you more enjoyment from your landscape, but to elevate your home’s value. Related: Make an Outdoor Living Space Feel Like Home With Outdoor Lighting and a Fire Pit in Naperville, IL 1. Add a Welcoming Focal Point When you or your visitors step outside onto a patio, your eye is immediately drawn to its key elements. A fire immediately says “welcome” to everyone. It inspires people to pull up a chair and socialize. Do you love the look of a rustic stone wood-fueled fire pit that reminds you of camp? Do you want to enhance your backyard with the chic look of a sleek and sophisticated granite gas-fueled fire pit? Do you want a fire pit big enough for a large family to sit around comfortably, or a small one perfect for two? Whatever style you choose, fire draws people together! 2. Add a “Wow” Factor to Alfresco Dining A dining-table or bar-height fire table is a modern adaptation of the classic fire pit. These fire features have a deep ledge perfect for plates and glassware. Fire tables are natural gas- or propane-fueled for safety. It’s an opportunity to add flair to an outdoor kitchen, and to add interest with colored fire glass. 3. Expand Your Cooking Options A fire pit can also be used for cooking. Permanent or temporary grates are the perfect spot to cook anything from corn to burgers (just be sure to use wood that is suitable for cooking, such as fruitwood; pine will give your food a very sharp taste). You can use a gas- or propane-fueled fire pit for cooking, but you’ll have quite a bit of cleanup to do as food residue can bake right on to the lava rock or fire pit glass. 4. Express Your Style Your fire pit can be a stand-alone artistic feature that uses materials found nowhere else in the hardscape. Or, it can be made to match or complement retaining walls or other vertical elements like water features. You can choose between elevated or recessed fire pits, and decide whether you want permanent (masonry or wood bench) seating or movable patio furniture. A generous ledge on a coffee-table height fire pit lets people sit closer to the fire. You can choose between round, square, or rectangular shapes, as well as various heights and of course sizes. Personalize your fire pit area with colorful cushions, built-in low-voltage lighting, or colorful fire glass. 5. Add Coziness Whether your outdoor space is large or small, a fire pit will encourage people to go outside. A fire pit can be centrally placed to break up a large expanse of patio; or, it can be tucked into a corner to make a small patio feel more spacious. 6. Add Value When it comes to value, a fire pit can be a big draw. Wood-fired fire pits offer arguably more charm, but they are also messier and more hazardous. Natural gas fire pits need to be professionally installed. Propane fire pits will require nearby storage for a propane tank. Whichever fuel you choose, a fire pit makes your backyard “the” place to be, and not just during balmy evening nights. Related: Bored At Home? Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Hinsdale, IL Backyards  What does your front entrance say to your guests when they arrive at your home? First impressions are lasting; putting forth a little effort to create an entrance that reflects your character will go a long way in extending a warm welcome to your guests.Try these landscape design ideas for showstopping entrances in the Hinsdale and Naperville, IL areas.
Related: Achieve a More Welcoming Home With an Upgraded Driveway in Wheaton, IL Walkway Create a walkway that is both practical and beautiful. With many choices of color, size and shape for both concrete pavers or natural stone, you have endless options for turning your walkway into a work of art. Pavers will give your walkway a chic, modern feel, and come in a variety of patterns and geometric shapes for you to choose from. Flagstone is always unique as you fit together pieces of all different shapes and sizes, and will create an elegantly natural vibe. Instead of just an outdated straight line from the driveway to the front door, create a more relaxed and inviting look with a gently curved walkway. Not only does this add dimension to your front yard, it provides more variety for how to add plants and garden beds to your front landscaping. A walkway with natural-looking curves invites people to linger and admire the scenery. Landing A landing can be a larger or smaller space at the end of the walkway by the front door, and it adds an even more welcoming atmosphere to your front entrance. Place a comfortable bench, seating wall or porch swing on this wider area, and consider adorning it with a bubbling fountain, a birdbath, a sculpture, or colorful planters erupting with cheerful flowers. Steps The steps leading to the front door add character to an entryway. Wood steps can be built in a stately way, but require more upkeep maintenance with staining and weatherproofing. Steps built out of natural cut stone can be built in a variety of different designs, with choices for smooth or rough cut stones in many different color choices. Stone is an elegant way to stay true to the natural environment around you, and gives your front entry a stately and welcoming presence. Mailbox Although a mailbox may seem like a small feature, it is a noticeable part of your entryway. An old and ragged mailbox, or one that doesn’t fit your landscaping decor, will stick out as something that doesn’t belong. Surround your mailbox with stone that matches the materials in the rest of your landscape. Planters and Garden Beds Potted flowers add bursts of color when used to line the steps or accent the corners of your patio. Hanging pots with falling ferns are eye-catching features that contribute to a warm welcome for your guests. Line your walkway with a narrow, winding garden bed and plant larger beds on either side of your patio that will frame your entryway. Lighting Line your front walkway with solar powered ground lights leading up to your entrance. Lights will act as a guide along your walkway in an attractive, clear and safe way, whether guests are visiting for the first time or you are walking up to your house with an armful of groceries. For a larger lighting feature that makes more of a statement, consider building masonry pillars topped with attractive light fixtures adjacent to your entrance. Updating your entryway is a guaranteed way to transform the look of your home. Even small changes can make a big difference to create an elegant and welcoming atmosphere from the moment your guests arrive to your home. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties  Choosing the right driveway or patio pavers will ensure that your new outdoor space will be adequate for the intended use, and that it will stand the test of time. Not all pavers are created equal. When you’re looking at driveway pavers vs. patio pavers: is there a difference, in Hinsdale, IL?
Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties On the surface, driveway pavers and patio pavers can look the same. Many manufacturers of concrete pavers offer the same styles, colors, textures and finishes in both types; however, under the surface, there are significant differences. Dimensions Driveways take a lot of heavy use by vehicles, foot traffic, equipment and harsh chemicals such as de-icing salts. The compressive weight of vehicles can quickly cause the wrong pavers to shift and crack. This means the first thing you want to look for is whether a paver is thick enough to withstand the heavy loads that will be applied to it on a daily basis. Most contemporary driveway pavers range between 2-⅜” to 3-⅞”” thick. The thickness of the paver determines the thickness of the base: a thinner paver is more fragile. It requires more support, and therefore a thicker base. In addition to being thicker, driveway pavers are also often smaller than patio pavers - again, to prevent cracking due to the weight of vehicles. A large format square or rectangular paver would have to be even thicker than a more modestly sized paver to stand up to vehicular traffic. This would increase the cost of the pavers and make installation more difficult. By contrast, patio pavers can be thinner and larger since they don’t support as much weight. You can find large format concrete patio pavers, for example 24”x24” squares; and these are relatively thin, at just 2” thick. If you want to go ultra-thin (for example, to overlay a poured concrete slab with attractive pavers without creating a significant transition to another outdoor space or the home) choose porcelain tile, which can be as thin as .75” and yet still give you a modern oversized look (16”x38” or 24”x24”). Of the pavers that are offered for multiple residential uses (driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks), most are available in thickness and size combinations suitable for any application. This means you can buy enough pavers for your entire hardscape without wondering if you’re using the right paver in the right place. Permeable vs. Impervious Surfaces Another key difference between driveway pavers and patio pavers is that many driveway pavers are offered as “permeable” options. This doesn’t mean the pavers themselves soak up water. Rather, the spacing between them is slightly larger; the jointing sand used allows water to seep through; and the underlayment is specially designed to slowly percolate water through the base material into the ground below. There are several advantages to permeable pavers. First, you avoid puddling and flooding like you would find on a solid-surface hardscape. The larger joints between permeable pavers also let trapped heat escape, making for a cooler surface underfoot. If your patio is situated on the north side of the home where it receives less sunlight, choosing permeable driveway pavers may be a great solution that will keep the patio drier than if water and snow had to slowly evaporate over time. Which is Best? In short, if you want a more heavy-duty paver installation (for example, you’ll have a hot tub or other heavy element on your patio), you can use driveway pavers anywhere (just be prepared for higher installation costs, since footings need to be deeper and you will need more base materials to support the weight). However, do not use regular patio pavers on a driveway as they simply won’t stand up to the demands. When in doubt, call us, and we’ll show you the best options for your style, budget, and needs! Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties  If you cringe every time you pull into your cracked and crumbling driveway - and don’t relish the hassle of redoing a driveway every couple of years - then consider an upgrade to a paver driveway, which will pay off in durability, looks, and value. Here’s how to achieve a more welcoming home with an upgraded driveway in Wheaton, IL.
Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties Why are concrete pavers a superior choice over more traditional driveway materials like asphalt or poured concrete? Like the rest of your landscape, your driveway should be an expression of quality workmanship and attention to detail. You can find concrete pavers in a huge variety of shapes, styles, colors and textures. Not only does this give you unparalleled design flexibility, it also ensures that your driveway will beautifully complement your home and tie in with the rest of your hardscapes. A driveway is a blank canvas. Imagine a flagstone-look driveway… or the timeless charm of cobblestone or brick. Whichever look you choose, from modern to traditional, your driveway will turn heads! Asphalt and poured concrete driveways have a limited lifespan that is heavily influenced by the weather. In Illinois, you can expect a constant freeze-thaw cycle that wreaks havoc on solid-surface driveways. As the soil beneath an asphalt or concrete slab shifts, nature will take its toll with cracking, chipping, bulging and sinking. A properly installed driveway of any kind will last longer, of course, but paver driveways are made up of individual pavers that can move slightly without cracking or creating an uneven surface. This means your driveway will last much longer and in the long run, it will even save you money. In the unlikely event a paver should break, or you need to access buried utilities, you can remove and replace individual pavers rather than ruining the appearance (and integrity) of a solid-surface driveway. Yes - that means, no more ugly patches! Paver driveways can also contribute to the health of your landscape, if you have a permeable version installed. This means that the joints between individual pavers are slightly larger than normal, and they are filled with a permeable jointing sand that allows snowmelt and rain to filter through to a special base that then slowly disperses the water into the aquifer. You’ll never have to worry about runoff from your driveway overwhelming the municipal storm drain system. And, you can say goodbye to water flooding into your landscape, too! With so many pros, it’s hard not to say yes to a paver driveway. The most fun part is the design, and this is where you can let your personality shine. Contrasting borders, accents, and even inlays give your driveway a unique look. If you finish the look with masonry entrance pillars and a contrasting apron, you’ll create a formal look that will make you feel like you’re coming home to your own gated luxury estate! If you prefer to stick to a poured concrete or asphalt driveway, you can still add a paver apron, inlays, and borders to give your driveway personality and flair. Remember landscape lighting when you’re installing a new driveway. Installing low-voltage landscape lighting along the length of the driveway provides just enough illumination to define the driveway and offer a warm yet sophisticated welcome. It’s time to do away with the single bright light on a post, which casts harsh shadows on your landscape. More gentle modern light fixtures create ambience as well as safety. For that “welcome home” feeling, start with an upgraded driveway. Give our experts a call today! Related: Bored At Home? Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Hinsdale, IL Backyards  COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions have many homeowners reconsidering the usability of their backyards, and thinking about ways to maximize the space so that the whole family can enjoy being outdoors. In many cases, just a few small touches can make all the difference. Here are __ landscaping ideas for making your Naperville, IL property more useful.
Related: Bored At Home? Consider These 5 Landscape Design Ideas for Hinsdale, IL Backyards 1. Shelter Nothing is more frustrating than enjoying time outdoors only to find that the weather just won’t cooperate. Whether you need shelter from the sun or want to create more of a three-season outdoor room, adding a permanent shelter to your outdoor space can make all the difference. One option is a pergola, which offers shade from the sun while letting hot air rise and breezes to flow through. If you enjoy the open-air feel but want more protection from rain, opt for a pavilion or a gazebo. Pavilions and gazebos are also great for setting up a temporary outdoor office, if you are able to work on a laptop. Any of these permanent structures can be made more comfortable with the addition of an outdoor fireplace. You can also add a vine-covered trellis on any side to add privacy and serve as a windbreak. 2. Privacy If the neighbors are just a little too close, a privacy wall can help make your backyard into a more private sanctuary. Privacy fencing is often plain and boring, but there are ways to make your space more private without feeling like you’re in a cubicle. Add trellises in front of a wood privacy fence, so the climbing vines add greenery and interest. Planting tall cedars in front of a privacy fence also helps soften the look. It also adds a dimensional quality to the yard’s perimeter so it feels more natural. You could opt for a living fence (cedars are great for this) but keep in mind it will take some time for them to mature and fill in the gaps. For a chic and unexpected twist, a water wall can serve as a functional privacy wall as well as an attractive focal point. A water wall pumps water to the top of a smooth vertical surface like tempered glass or metal, and allows the water to cascade over the surface into a catch basin. You get the amazing qualities of water in the warmer months, and the wall is just as beautiful and functional when the water is turned off for the season. 3. More Space Carving out more usable space in a backyard isn’t always easy. But have you considered how you can best use your side yards? Side yards can be the ideal solution for raised bed gardens, a play area for the kids, a game area for all ages, a hot tub, a meditation nook, a breakfast patio, or even a hangout for teens. For a magical side-yard getaway, start with a small paver patio. Add a privacy fence, comfortable seating, fun string lights and eclectic decor, and you can transform your neglected side yard into a functional work of art! If using your side yard isn’t an option, consider going vertical with some elements to give the illusion of more space. Adding multiple levels to your outdoor living space (even if it’s only a few steps) helps break up the space into unique zones, which will also help you organize activities into various levels of active to relaxed. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties  Bored at home? Consider these 5 landscape design ideas for Hinsdale, IL backyards. COVID-19 restrictions may have put a temporary hold on landscaping projects you may have had in mind for this spring, you can take this opportunity to refine your landscaping plans so that you end up with precisely the space you want once landscapers get the OK to resume normal services. You might find that after having a second look at your plans, that there is something you’d like to tweak. If you’re starting from scratch, this is the perfect time to identify what you really want out of your backyard so that it’s a true haven where you love to be, and not someplace you’re just stuck.
Related: How to Avoid These Common Hazards in Your Wheaton, IL, Landscape Design A Patio Addition If your patio feels too tight and you’re bumping elbows with your family, consider an addition. An addition is like a “peninsula” that adds a dedicated space such as a pergola-covered lounge, a hot tub, or a fire pit with high-backed masonry seating. With an addition, the new space can use its own materials. For example, a circular addition with brick pavers that fan out in a circular pattern can be absolutely stunning next to a bluestone patio! A New Cooking/Dining Solution Everybody loves to gather in the kitchen, no matter how tight the space is. This is true for indoor and outdoor kitchens! One great solution is to build an L-shaped cooking area. On one peninsula, you put your grill, smoker, and a work (prep) area. On the other, you have bar-style seating for 4-6 people. This way, everyone feels like they’re included, and as a bonus, you free up space on your patio because a dining table might never get used again! A New Office Many people are working from home on their laptops. If you’re one of the lucky ones, why not take it outdoors, in the shelter of a pavilion? Sun glare on a computer screen puts incredible strain on the eyes, but if you’re under the cover of a solid roof, you can still enjoy fresh air and the sounds of songbirds while you work - and you can still be outdoors even in a downpour! A Cozy Place to Relax If your outdoor space doesn’t have a fireplace or fire pit, you’re missing out on one of the most human things to do: gather around the fire. Adding a fireplace to your pavilion will transform it into a three-season outdoor getaway. A firepit can help (a little) with the feeling of wanderlust, especially if you pitch a tent or hang some hammocks nearby for a backyard camp-out! Or, you can transform your outdoor dining area into a chic focal point with a stylish bar-height fire table (a perfect complement to your new L-shaped outdoor kitchen/bar). Pizza! Nothing puts a bigger smile on people’s faces than a wood-fired brick pizza oven! Whether it’s stand-alone or part of an outdoor fireplace and/or kitchen, a pizza oven might make you forget all about your indoor kitchen. Coffee! And while you’re at it, why not install a coffee machine in your outdoor kitchen, or even as a stand-alone mini coffee bar so you can enjoy the bliss of that first sip in the great outdoors. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties  Do you ever feel lost in your large landscape? While having plenty of elbow room is a bonus, large spaces can feel impersonal, and they can lack the cozy intimacy of smaller properties. Check out these landscape design ideas for large Naperville, IL properties and get inspired to create your own backyard retreat that’s the perfect mix of spaciousness and intimacy!
Related: Landscaping With Spring in Mind in Wheaton, IL Avoid the Parking Lot Look A very large patio can easily start to look like a parking lot. It’s a hot, exposed, and somewhat unwelcoming space, but it can be broken up into outdoor “rooms” for a more human scale. This will give you a chance to create zones for “doing” and zones for “being.” Both are important! Someone may want to knock out a couple of hours of work outdoors, while other family members are getting some exercise and play time. Use vertical elements to divide up a large patio using seat walls that surround a raised planter (perfect for herbs, or fragrant flowers) or arbors and trellises with colorful climbing vines. Other vertical features that break up a large patio can include a reflecting pool or a fire table. A centrally-located kitchen with a pergola cover, or a central fire pit area surrounded by high-backed masonry seating can break up a huge space into more intimate areas. Ensure Easy Traffic Flow Getting from here to there in a large landscape can be just as challenging as in a small space. Place activity hubs like an outdoor kitchen where you have clear access from the house (no detours around features or furniture). Less frequently used spaces, such as a meditation nook or play area, can be located farther away. Make sure that the way to get to these more remote spots is a pleasant journey. The walkways don’t have to be razor-straight, but they should flow organically. People will always create shortcuts if they perceive that the shortcut is a better way than “around.” Meandering walkways are beautiful; just avoid right angles. Create Islands A huge expanse of lawn is great if you have kids or dogs that need plenty of space to run, or if you enjoy the look of a large, stately lawn. If you want a more natural setting, you can create beautiful islands in the “sea of green” to visually break up the space without taking away from its natural feel. In nature, islands are common. In nature, you’ll encounter a clearing within a deep forest; or an island in the middle of a lake or ocean; or even a small grove of trees in the middle of a wildflower meadow. These islands can also be usable space: add a tiny paver patio just big enough for a comfortable bench and a small coffee table to create a beautiful retreat or “secret” play space for the kids. Create Focal Points Drawing the eye to a focal point can make a large space seem more intimate. The focal point could be an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, gazebo, water feature, or even a dramatic paver pattern. For example, a transition between the patio and the lawn could be accomplished beautifully by placing large, individual pavers 6-10” inches apart and filling the space between them with grass or a low ground cover such as creeping thyme. Use Scale Use furniture and design elements that are scaled for large spaces. A small fire pit might look lost on a large patio, while a more substantial fireplace honors the scale of your outdoor space without feeling too imposing. Related: A Brick Patio and Other Characterful Additions to Hinsdale IL Landscapes |
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