«Return to Blog List The Sun Always Shines in New Mexico, so Turn Your Backyard Into a Destination Resort
Ask anyone who has relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico why they moved here and they will tell you, “the weather.” With 310 days of sunshine, who can disagree? Make the most out of the glorious weather and turn your backyard into a destination resort.
With all the luxuries offered these days, the backyard is no longer the same. Long gone are the days of the patio slab, rectangular swimming pool, and rolling kettle grill. Current outdoor living options are just as stylish and creative as the homes they serve, providing multifunctional destinations for owners and guests.
Professional designs ensure a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces and provide artful square footage with utility connections for all desired features. Careful planning can even accommodate year-round enjoyment through creative options for shade, sun, and other conditions.
The most desirable outdoor spaces offer fully functional kitchens. A built-in, gas-powered barbecue grill, complete with warming drawers, heating elements and plenty of grilling surface, is essential equipment for today’s outdoor chef.
Because an outdoor kitchen is often designed within a covered patio, grills are usually supplemented with a ventilation system to exhaust smoke and odors. Other conveniences include a sink and faucet, an under-counter refrigerator/ice maker, and a row of base cabinets topped by a weather-tough countertop.
An outdoor kitchen logically demands an outdoor eating area. Weather-resistant furnishings and upholstery are available in an increasingly wide range of styles to suit any taste and need, from formal dining tables to casual, plushy seating options. Outdoor rooms might also include a bar island between the cooking and eating areas that can also serve as a casual dining area.
Another popular feature of outdoor rooms is a fireplace-television combination. Modern gas-powered fireplaces are designed to simulate authentic wood-burning units, but with better energy use, heat distribution, and ventilation. Such chimneys can accommodate a niche for a flat-screen television, easily supplemented by small, outdoor-rated speakers for surround-sound. What used to be a plain patio has now become an enviable destination for family and guests.
To make the space accessible to the indoors and to merge indoor and outdoor entertainment space, many designs feature all-glass folding or pocket doors that create wide-open passages. When designed with the home’s micro-climate in mind, these doors may also help to cool the house with natural breezes. Ceiling fans keep the air moving through the outdoor room, while outdoor-rated lights in the ceiling and on the walls allow its use after dark.
To keep less-desirable weather out of both the house and the covered outdoor space, motorized roll-down screens — ideally concealed in the structure — keep pests, winds, rain, and other debris out. Such screens come in a variety of weights and are easily controlled by a remote device or wall switch.
The living space extends beyond the covered area, of course. Patios can be equipped with interlocking pavers, flagstones, or stamped or colored concrete to add dimension and interest. The open-air space might be a deck, increasingly finished with weather-resistant engineered planks that require little maintenance, maintain their color and structural integrity, and are eco-friendly. To complete the look, consider adding comfortable built-in seating and a freestanding fire pit.
Finally, modern pools and spas, are becoming works of art, incorporating fountains and waterfalls, rock formations, frameless edges, and other landscaping features.
Combined, a covered outdoor room, open deck or patio, and pool/spa feature create a value-added feature for any new home. By extending the living space with year-round options to enjoy it, the modern back yard provides years of enjoyment and boosts property value for any homeowner.
John Kaltenbach Homes can make your dream of a destination backyard into reality. John Kaltenbach Homes is a custom homebuilder based in Albuquerque, New Mexico who sets the bar high for outdoor design and construction. If you are thinking about transforming your backyard or building a home in New Mexico, contact John Kaltenbach Homes. Our company serves Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the surrounding areas. For almost 20 years, we have been known for livable homes and attention to detail in both design and construction, whether the style is contemporary, traditional, southwest or modern.
Tags: Albuquerque, construction in Albuquerque, custom home construction, New Mexico, NM new home construction, Santa Fe home construction
Categories: Albuquerque, NM new home construction, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, New Mexico, NM New Home Construction Designs
