How-To: Bring the Outdoors Inside through Design
Summer is upon us! With the warmer weather and delayed sunsets, we know we’re all looking for ways to bask in the sunshine goodness. Clients regularly tell us they want to focus on natural light and indoor-outdoor spaces - but how do we actually accomplish this? Here are a few thoughts on how we bring the outdoors into our homes.
As architects, the first solutions we consider are often the built environment - how do the walls, ceilings, and openings of your home connect inhabitants to the outdoors? Adding glazing (windows and doors) will obviously increase natural light in your space as well as create visual connection with your outdoor spaces. And operability is key here - being able to open a window or door can create a more comfortable environment from an air flow perspective. If light is a big factor for you, then obviously the larger the opening, the more connected you will feel to the outdoors.
For more minimal invasiveness, think about skylights, which are easier to install than new windows in an existing condition, or even Solatubes, which are an even simpler process. Raising ceilings to be vaulted also helps a space feel larger and more voluminous, plus it allows light to reflect, directing it around the space more than a flat ceiling. Along a similar approach, changing roof slopes or popping roofs up to allow for clerestory windows up high in the space will also make the space more light filled and airy.
Finally, creating outdoor rooms with minimal enclosure around them (i.e. no walls) that are easily accessible from your indoor living spaces is a perfect way to create space that connects you to the natural environment around you. If you’re starting a renovation project and considering your outdoor space as part of it, keep in mind locating kitchens close by, and creating large connections between the two will optimize the functionality and anchor the outdoor space as a hub for entertainment in your home. The enticement of outdoor living is always a product of connectivity and accessibility. The closer your outdoor living is to your indoor living/entertaining spaces the more likely you are to use them. When trying to draw guests outside, create focal points easily visible through windows and doors like a beautiful garden or an interesting fireplace - something that grabs their attention and makes them want to explore.
When creating these outdoor living spaces, consider your particular climate and your natural comfort level. Maybe adjustable louvers rather than a permanent roof over the space will work better if you enjoy access to direct sunlight. Don’t forget about lighting and temperature control! You can always add ceiling lights, fans, skylights, outdoor heaters, etc. to allow the space to feel comfortable and usable throughout the year.
However, sometimes changing our built environment isn’t feasible, or even desired. If this is your situation, one of the easiest changes to bring the outdoors inside your home is selecting lighter paint colors. Keep in mind that it’s not all about color here, but selecting paint colors with high LRV (light reflective value) means the paint is actually absorbing less light and keeping things visually bright. Another accessible option is to literally bring the outdoors in with plants throughout your home. Be sure to take a look at the plant’s light and watering needs and find something that thrives in low light or is drought tolerant as the conditions in your home might necessitate. Plants offer all kinds of wonderful benefits from cleaning your indoor air for better air quality to minimizing allergies, and just generally making us happier. One more design element to consider inside your home is integrating more natural materials on the surfaces in your home - think leather, wood, jute, cork, stone, and natural cottons. They’re generally more sustainable than manmade materials, have a lower carbon footprint, and psychologically connect us to the earth.
We hope this has given you some new ideas or considerations on how to maximize your connection to the outdoors and enjoy that Colorado lifestyle. Cheers to sunny days ahead!