Now that we hit the ‘Must Haves’ last month (if you haven’t read that, you need to check it out), let’s talk about the extras! You want your lakefront getaway to be just as fun as it is functional.
So, here are four of our favorite additions to think about when it comes to designing your picture perfect outdoor area!
1. Outdoor Kitchen
There are SO many benefits to and outdoor kitchen whether you are lakefront or not. If I knew this would get my husband cooking for me, I would have done one years ago! Anytime you can avoid heating up the kitchen in the summer, it’s a win in my book. I’m a big fan of a griddle option. There something about a chilly morning with bacon sizzling on the grill outside while you enjoy your coffee. At the lake, I also recommend adding an ice maker and drink fridge to decrease the amount of wet foot traffic through the house and keep people outside.
2. Landscape Lighting
Landscaping is the icing on the cake for new construction and landscape lighting is the icing on the cake for your landscape. The goal is to provide just enough extra lighting to accent your space and keep it functional and safe at night while not ruining the lake experience for the people who have to look at it from across the water. With landscape lighting, less is often more. We are thinking through where the bulbs are pointed (it may be nice from one able and you need sunglasses from another!), eliminating “hot spots” and evening out the illumination, and trying to not exceed the amount of light produced by a full moon night. The other big part of lake lighting is considering the glare on the water. Yellow lights are less intrusive than white lights and it’s never a bad idea to work to achieve your goals while also being considerate of the people enjoying the lake around you.
3. Outdoor Shower or Full Bath
A private outdoor shower area provides a great option for getting the grime off BEFORE you go inside. This is also a great option to rinse the lake water off before jumping in the pool or hot tub! If budget allows, adding an outdoor bathroom is always a plus. Again, the fewer people going in and out means the cleaner the house stays!
4. Entertainment Areas
When it comes to entertainment areas, there are few ways we can go about adding these in your space. Essential for setting the mood, a good sound system is a must—just remember sound carries on the water and I’m still advocating for being a considerate neighbor! There’s not a world in which I want to sit inside on a beautiful fall day. There’s also not a world in which I want to miss college football. An outdoor TV is the obvious solution! I would also add that screened in space is a huge plus. You can spray all day long, but the bugs are always a battle. Hot tubs are perfect for relaxation and soaking those muscles after a day out on the water. And, of course, some options for warming up by the fire as it cools off. Just remember to consider the wind as mentioned in the last blog post!
Make your space a place where functionality and fun come together to create the perfect lakefront getaway. Transform your space into a lakeside paradise!
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