Building Ideas for Outdoor Rooms

Hello all,


The term "outdoor room" may seem like an oxymoron, but it refers to a specific type of room. A room of this sort is able to benefit from the serenity of the outdoors while still maintaining a level of comfort and shelter similar to that of the home. Like the homes themselves, outdoor rooms can take on a number of shapes and sizes and provide pleasure as well as practicality.

One of the simplest, yet most versatile outdoor rooms is the classic gazebo. Although there are many variations, the typical gazebo is free-standing, often cylindrical-shaped, with a covering and room for at least four or five people. While some of the more ornate gazebos are made of concrete or stone, choosing wood is beneficial for several reasons. First, it is the least expensive and easiest to construct, but also wooden gazebos allow the possibly of moving the structure to another part of the yard without as much struggle. Gazebos are often sold in parts, allowing homeowners to choose between professionally designed roofs and other parts.

If any outdoor room will pay for itself over time, it's the backyard greenhouse. Although it's not a room designed for relaxation or entertaining, a genuine greenhouse can be a dream come true for home gardening enthusiasts. A greenhouse can be built onto the side of a house or exist as a free-standing structure elsewhere in the yard. The key is to pick a spot with plenty of unblocked sun. While the basic structure is generally simple enough for amateur builders, portable heating and ventilation must also be installed for a high-quality greenhouse.


Thanks and regards
Dabney Walker

This interests me too. I watched a video on how the Samoans build their traditional houses... basically an outdoor house. Poles erected to hold roof timbers which are then covered with palm leaf thatching and ..... except for a little ridge around the floor area and the mats that are woven and hung from the roof to close off the 'house' at night .... they call it a Fale .... you have a quick and traditionally used dwelling. Very healthy lifestyle. Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mETsSG9mQgo

2 other interesting links.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Samoa .... and ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Samoa#Types_of_fale

Interesting how they use everything from nature and a house is easily erected as seen in the video. No homeless people in Samoa. They use nets against insect infestation... mosquitoes.

This simple technology could be easily adapted.

Chelle

My favorite house was the one we had built as a mexi barons house .

Central courtyard, and the south wall was a greenhouse.

Sigh.

Went with the ex....

No need to construct anything or spend much money.

My "outdoor room" has walls of perennial evergreen plants - juniper bushes, bamboo, cold hardy palms,etc.

The ceiling is the sky. In the summer, overhanging oaks keep the "room" cool.



I do have a greenhouse- this was made of recycled lumber from a tornado, and used windows purchased from Habitat for Humanity at extremely low prices.