A Guide to Entertainment Spaces
It's that time of the year again! Time to start thinking about how you can improve your outdoor entertainment spaces for the upcoming holiday festivities!
1. Functionality - How does your entertainment space work with the rest of your house?
When you start planning your entertainment space it is important to work within the area you have and to maintain a budget. Functionality and entertainment work hand-in-hand. For instance, when it is your turn to host an event, you want your guests to not only have a great time but also be able to move around the provided area without hassle. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration how your entertainment area will function with the remained of your home. How best does your space work with the rest of the house? Is your space easy to access and are people once in the area able to move around easily without spilling food and beverages? Does your area also lead from the engine room of your house, the kitchen and other spaces such as sitting and lounge room?
2. Materials - What finishes and furnishings do you want the space to have?
When creating your space or updating your space you have to take into consideration the materials you wish to use and incorporate. Your budget will also determine the types of materials you use. The materials you use will help create the ambience of the entertainment area. For instance, do you want to use materials which will match the rest of your house? Or do you wish to create a whole new authentic space? Concrete and masonry are fabulous materials to use, these are both easy to clean and maintain. However, they may establish a clinical flare to your area. Typically, concrete and masonry marry's well with pebbles and rendering. Timber finishings, on the other hand, look sleek and timeless, although, they do involve upkeep. Wood furnishings look rather effective with artificial grass and paint. The materials and colours you decide to use is important and adds to the whole flare of the area. For example, bright colours may elicit happiness while dull colours may arouse a gloomy response.
3. Size - How can you best utilise the space you have?
The size of your area may determine the type of materials and furnishings you choose. For instance, the size of your area may limit you to have either a standing area or a sitting/dining area. Some of you may be fortunate enough to combine both into your area. With this in mind, it is important to think about how many people you would like to fit comfortably in the area and whether your furnishings are to scale in your area. Outdoor entertainment areas can look really effective although sometimes the size of chosen furnishings can pose as an eye saw when tables, for instance, are either too large or too small for the area. When this occurs, it can give the impression that little thought or consideration was sought when planning furnishings for the space.
4. Atmosphere - What vibe do you want your space to elicit?
Functionality, materials, and size are the starting points which will establish the atmosphere of your area. You can create atmosphere by; brightening things up with greenery and plants, sticking to a colour palette to build cohesion, and by ensuring there's plenty of shade for summer and warmth for winter. Furthermore, providing plenty of comfortable seating options for guests, installing adequate and attractive lighting, and lastly, incorporating themed decor all help in the creation of your outdoor area atmosphere. The incorporation of surrounding garden beds and pot plants, BBQ and cooking facilities, a communal Bar and light background music also adds to the overall atmosphere of your space.
5. Context - How will your entertainment area fit with the remainder of your home?
Does your entertainment area tie neatly into the context of your home? For instance, is your home modern, minimalist, Victorian, country styled or retro? It is important to think about your space in the context of your home prior to planning your entertainment area. Updating or designing your outdoor area to conform with the context and style of your home helps create ambience and cohesion. The era of your home will persuade you to purchase furnishings which are acceptable with the style of the home. For instance, provincial furnishings would suit a Victorian and country styled home, flat-packed furnishings would suit a modern and minimalist home, and lastly, 1960-1970's furnishings from opp shops would suit retro homes.
6. TIME TO SCRAPBOOK SOME IDEAS! Here are a few examples to get you thinking...
