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The Great Outdoors
With summer upon us, make the most of your outdoor space
| Text : Elizabeth Kerr |
Do you have a terrace attached to your flat? Are you blessed with a rooftop? If you’re not and you live on a high floor, chances are you’ve looked out your window to a neighbouring roof and perhaps seen a perfectly usable space that was housing old furniture and a laundry rack. Worse? Maybe you’re the owner of that roof.
With summer just around the corner access to a usable outdoor space at home is a luxury. Some 80 percent of Hongkongers live in flats, and a quick survey indicates that too many of those flats that come with a roof or terrace are being wasted.
So what do you do? The easy answer is to go to Ikea and pick up patio set or a few benches, but a little more thought can give you a new addition to your home.
Where to Begin?
At the top of the “Don’t” list is lacking a clear vision. “The biggest mistake people make is that they do not decide from the start how they want to use the space,” says interior designer and the founder of Monique McLintock Interiors. It’s the first question to address and the answer will determine how you proceed, minimise waste and control your budget. “Is it somewhere for the kids to play or for entertaining, or just a personal retreat to relax and unwind in? This decision needs to be made before you can make the space usable,” echoes Gary Hill, construction manager at urban and landscape developer Design Landscapes. “More” equating with “better” is also too common according to John Brunner, co-founder of Direct Designs, manufacturer of Grilltech. “Often you see people choosing quantity over quality and cluttering their outdoor space with plants, heaters, bulky pieces of furniture and more. This results in the space becoming less usable and looking and feeling cramped.”
Intimidating as it may be, don’t be afraid to call in pros. “Interior designers or landscape architects can be expensive but are worth their weight in gold. It’s also possible they will save you money in the long run as poor choice of furniture and decking materials can mean you having to replace them frequently,” says Brunner. McLintock and Brunner agree that it’s possible to get a functioning space on as little as $15,000. Bottom line? Keep it simple and compact. Hand-cranked awnings save you money; rollaway and space-saving furniture and appliances are your best friends. Either way, “Design to your budget,” stresses Hill.
Let Me Entertain You
Once you’ve decided on what you want to do with your precious roof/terrace, a second consideration becomes whom you’re going to do it with. Are you entertaining friends? Do you have hyperactive pre-schoolers? Are you planning on dining al fresco in the winter? McLintock, Hill and Brunner share a basic mantra: Coverage, coverage, coverage. Umbrellas and awnings are must-haves for Hong Kong’s hot sun and frequent rain. And if you’re sensitive to cold, even in Hong Kong’s relatively mild winters, Brunner recommends, “Panel heaters, such as [our own] Heatstrip, which are mounted on walls to avoid taking up extra space.”
Most of us immediately equate a patio with barbequing and outdoor cooking often comprises a cheap hibachi and a Coleman cooler. But there are plenty of streamlined grills floating around and for that McLintock points to Brunner. “A barbeque size really depends on how many people you want to entertain,” she begins, recognising that no one wants a big clunky piece of tin in the corner.“[Direct Design’s] BBQs are not only modern and sleek they are also space savers as the lid folds under the cooking area.” Brunner backs her up on the regarding the size of your parties. If you have a large roof make sure your grill will make food preparation efficient. If you have a smaller balcony or terrace, opt for a compact corner unit. “If you invest thousands of dollars to create a beautiful outdoor space, you don’t want to ruin the effect with a bulky unsightly barbeque. Grilltech barbeques are popular with interior designers who like simple yet stylish grills that complement the surrounding aesthetics,” he states. For the record Direct Design also carries coolers.
That’s all fine and dandy if you’re designing a space for grown-ups to play in, but what about kids? Climbing, curious, capering kids? “I would recommend creating a separate space for them that consists of a few pieces of play equipment,” says McLintock. “I would then section off the area a bit. You could use some lattice fencing attached to posts.” But she and Hill emphasise the need to avoid walls and balustrades that encourage climbing — and getting heads stuck. “Softpour flooring [granulated rubber mixed with adhesive] or rubber matting is also advisable to protect against ground impact,” Hill adds.
TLC
Last but not least are care considerations. Once you have a sleek terrace with a kids’ corner and a nearly invisible grill, how do you keep it looking sleek? “Be practical. Consider factors such as weight, durability, material and fabric colour and storage. Furniture needs to contest with typhoons, heavy rain, pollution and high humidity, so don’t pick light, flimsy plastic that will get blown around,” Brunner states. Falling hazards are inherent in rooftops where light plastic can be blown off in a Signal 8 storm. “Remember it is ‘outdoor’ furniture. These items are exposed to the elements and should be selected accordingly. When designing your outdoor space, be practical and don’t be afraid to compromise,” Hill concurs.
Decking, tiles and furniture comes in a broad swath of materials (and prices) now, so it’s important to think hard about whether you have pests; what kind of ventilation and sun exposure your home gets. Checking one’s ego is also a good idea. Trendy Tuscan tiles and Armani cushions are lovely, but they should be dropped in favour of items that serve your needs. Teak is nice, but rattan may be more appropriate for Hong Kong’s environment. Everyone recommends avoiding light colours that show dirt and cushions need to be removable and agree that dark woods that look great when they’re new quickly fade in the sun.
Remember: This is another room in your home. McLintock sums it up best by cutting to the chase. “Choose [furnishings] that are comfortable to lay around on. Keep it simple and keep it comfortable is the best advice I can give when designing outdoor space.”
Info
www.moniquemclintockinteriors.com
www.designls.com
www.directdesignsinternational.com
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