Here are some tips for creating an outdoor living space that you’ll love.

Define the space:

 The first step in creating an outdoor living space is to define the area you want to use. This could be a small patio, a large deck, or even just a corner of your backyard. Once you’ve defined the space, you can start to think about the different elements you want to include.

Choose a Theme: 

Deciding on a theme for your outdoor living space will help you choose the right furniture and accessories. If you want a more formal look, consider a traditional style with wrought iron furniture and classic accessories. If you prefer a more casual look, think about a coastal or rustic theme.

Add Seating: 

Seating is an essential element of any outdoor living space. Consider adding a mix of seating options such as chairs, benches, and a sofa. You’ll want to make sure that there’s enough seating for everyone who will be using the space.

Incorporate a Dining Area:

 If you plan on entertaining guests in your outdoor living space, you’ll want to include a dining area. This could be a simple table and chairs or a more elaborate outdoor kitchen.

Add lighting: 

Lighting is an important aspect of any outdoor living space. It not only provides visibility but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consider adding a mix of lighting options such as string lights, lanterns, and sconces.

Incorporate a Fire Feature:

 A fire feature such as a fire pit or fireplace can add warmth and ambiance to your outdoor living space. It can also serve as a focal point and gathering spot for your guests.

Incorporate Greenery:

 Plants, flowers, and foliage can add color, texture, and life to your outdoor living space. Consider adding a mix of potted plants, hanging baskets, and a garden bed.

Add Personal Touches: 

Once you’ve added all the necessary elements to your outdoor living space, it’s time to add personal touches. This could be a colorful outdoor rug, a piece of outdoor art, or a special piece of furniture.

Plan For Privacy:

 If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in your outdoor living space, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough privacy. This could be achieved through the use of privacy screens, fences, or even just strategically placed plants.

Maintenance: 

Finally, it’s important to plan for maintenance. Outdoor living spaces require regular upkeep such as cleaning and upkeep of furniture and accessories. You’ll also want to make sure that the plants and greenery are well-watered and fertilized.

FAQ:

Q: What type of furniture should I use for my outdoor living space?

A: The type of furniture you choose will depend on the theme and style of your outdoor living space. If you want a more formal look, consider wrought iron furniture. If you prefer a more casual look, think about using wicker or teak furniture. It’s also important to choose furniture that is specifically designed for outdoor use as it will be able to withstand the elements.

Q: Is it necessary to have a roof or cover for my outdoor living space?

A: A roof or cover is not necessary, but it can provide added protection from the elements such as sun, rain, and snow. It can also help to extend the use of your outdoor living space. You can choose from a variety of options such as pergolas, gazebos, or even a simple patio cover.

Q: How do I maintain my outdoor living space?

A: To maintain your outdoor living space, you’ll need to regularly clean and upkeep the furniture and accessories. You’ll also want to make sure that the plants and greenery are well-watered and fertilized. You may also want to protect your outdoor furniture with covers when not in use. In addition, you should keep an eye on the condition of your outdoor living space, and if something needs repairs, fix it as soon as possible.

Q: Can I add an outdoor kitchen to my outdoor living space?

A: Yes, an outdoor kitchen can be a great addition to an outdoor living space. It can include a grill, sink, and even a refrigerator. An outdoor kitchen can add functionality and convenience to your outdoor living space, and it’s a great way to entertain guests.

Q: How can I incorporate privacy in my outdoor living space?

A: There are several ways to incorporate privacy in an outdoor living space. One option is to use privacy screens or fences. Another option is to use plants, such as tall hedges or trellises, to create a natural barrier. You can also use a combination of both to achieve the level of privacy you desire.

Q: Is an outdoor living space expensive to create?

A: The cost of creating an outdoor living space will depend on the size and complexity of the space, and the materials and fixtures you choose. A small patio can be relatively inexpensive to create, while a large deck or outdoor kitchen will be more expensive. It’s important to set a budget and stick to it, but also remember that investing in an outdoor living space can add value to your home.

Conclusion:

Creating an outdoor living space can be a fun and rewarding project. By following these tips, you can create a space that you’ll love and that will add value to your home. 

Remember to choose a theme, add seating, incorporate a dining area, add lighting, incorporate a fire feature, incorporate greenery, add personal touches, plan for privacy and maintenance. 

With a little bit of planning and creativity, you’ll be able to create an outdoor living space that you’ll love for years to come.

The post How to Create an Outdoor Living Space appeared first on Guillermo Blanco Interior Designer.

In Dubai, you can find companies that vary from compact teams perfect for consultancy and small projects, to large companies which provide a turnkey solution for the projects. To help you pick the right interior design company in Dubai, look out for the factors below.

Work Portfolio

Give a careful and detailed look at the portfolio provided by the company. The portfolio says two things about the company:

1. They feel proud about their work.
2. The quality of their work

With these two things right at the table, you can make better choices when choosing the right interior designer for you. If you are not presented with a portfolio, then you should keep looking for an interior designer company.

Reviews and References

Nothing is more convincing than the opinion from the individual who has tried and tested the services of the company. A great review will help you fast track your decision process. However, you must understand the review for the type of work you received. For instance, the company must be one of a kind when it comes to housing interior designing, but may not be so suitable when it comes to office or restaurant designing.

Thought Alignment

The perfect choice for the interior designing company should be the one that not only understands your original thought, but adds value to it. This way you will be able to get the dream design you wanted, and not the one designers could deliver.

One-Stop Shop

Some of the big interior designer companies in Dubai have everything under one roof. Teams of interior designers, fit-out teams, and project managers all under one roof. This allows you, as well as the company, to coordinate well among the teams and deliver the turnkey solution with little to no margin of errors. If this is something your project might need, then you should prioritize the companies which are a one-stop shop.

Expert Advice

Getting advice from an experienced professional can also help you understand various aspects of your project. Most of the interior design companies in Dubai have a professional consultant in-house. You will find a qualified and experienced consultant to be well aware about the local sensitivities, security standards, international trends, and environmental concerns. The quality of the expert in the company also speaks volume about the company.

Value Addition

A good interior designing company is not the one who can deliver just what you want, but improvise it along the way. They are responsible for adding the hint of value to your project which makes it unique and stand out. Companies which have delivered such values in their past projects are the real gems and something you should look for when finalizing the contract.

Project Management and Timely Deliveries

When signing a contract with a design company, you will not have a point of contact with each person working on the project, but just a project manager. They are responsible for updating about the progress to you and also to make sure that the work is completed as per the deadline. Therefore, make sure that the company you are signing the contract with is punctual when it comes to delivering the project.

Wrapping Up!!!

Each interior designing project is different in its own way, and deciding on the company to work on it is a tedious yet important task. It is important that you keep the following stated points in mind before deciding on the design company. It is extremely crucial to pick right interior design company in Dubai, to get that unique and dream look you have always wanted.

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Tom.B

A happy Client

THE CHALLENGE

Design a new Coworking Space in the Heart of Dubai that imbues openness and enthusiasm.

THE OUTCOME

An entirely new headquarters and a reimagining of the company’s existing building, both focused on helping team members collaborate.

For this Project we broke down all the elements of the space, including everything from flexible wall configurations to nature-inspired fabric choices that brought the outside in.

At  the core of our  decision-making was the intersection of environment and behavior:

1. How could a certain configuration of desks help new ideas to bubble up?
2. How might the transparency of the boardroom walls encourage executives to make more collaborative decisions?

Traditional Korean business culture places a strong emphasis on hierarchy, but in WDM we think that teams worked better when they arranged seating areas in ways that decentralized the boss.

Coworkers had felt isolated from those in other business units, so the designers created room for impromptu gatherings outside common meeting spaces.

Everything from functional needs, like toothbrush storage, to features that encouraged cross-pollination of ideas, like a set of shelves where departments could share examples of their work with other units, was taken into account.

On this Project we wanted to Re-use materials and spaces, to bring in a sense of ethical design, All wall papers and wood finishes comes from sustainable suppliers and have Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

Also, nature comes into the interior with the vertical garden on the entrance.

To improve the indoor air quality, it’s important that the air in a room can regularly circulate and remain fresh.

The Vertical Garden act as natural air filter.

We designed a space that have teams sharing amenities like conference rooms, call booths, and support service stations, and we also left room for spontaneous interactions and conversations away from the desk like the Mezzanine net.

The Coffee Shop enriches the design and create new opportunities like learning and development that brings diverse employee groups together, and we all know how a good coffee can save a long meeting.

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– Guillermo Blanco

Guillermo studied Interior Architecture in Madrid and from a young age he has been working designing some of the most emblematic properties and clubs in Madrid of the late 80’s and 90’s. Between his notable projects is Penelope Cruz’s clothing shop in Madrid. He has been living in the Middle East for the last decade and he is now sharing with us his experience of designing for the Middle East clientele.

You are originally from Spain, have lived in Thailand and are now based in Dubai. How did you adapt working in new environments with clients having different styles and cultural influences?

Obviously when I moved to Dubai in 2013, I had to adapt to a new culture and taste of middle eastern clients. It was challenging but also very enlightening, the richness of the Islamic Art and culture. Also, you must adapt in speed, the work in Dubai is faster than in Spain, this is very energetic as here everything grows very fast, the project too. But the most impressive part of the adaptation is to work with multicultural people.

What are the biggest challenges you face when designing homes in the Middle East?

Speed and versatility. In Dubai the client expects you to surprise, create incredible concepts and realize in very short time. Clients in this part of the world are more open to different concepts, new ideas while in Europe we are more conservative in general.

What design partners are you loyal to?

I have been loyal to Spanish brands I use for long time in tiles and sanitary ware but in furniture and lighting I like Italian, Spanish, British, however, saying that, with the globalization I have favourite brands everywhere.

What is one trend that we will see more of in the next 5 years?

I think in residential as we are working more and more from home clients will increasingly desire a comfortable workspace at home and their houses cosier and more liveable but without losing the design aspect. In the workplace, we will be making the office more fun and less rigid while in hospitality there is a trend in making the hotel rooms feel more like home.

Who is one style icon or interior designer that inspires you?

Many, in my youth I loved Phillipe Stark, now I’m more into Ferris Rafauli and Tom Ford.

Is there any advice you would give to someone planning to enter the interior design industry?

Be creative and challenge yourself to make something new. Avoid copy pasting ideas from Pinterest and use this as inspiration tool only. Pace your ideas, young designers have too many ideas, use them one by one and develop them. This industry also required perseverance and tenacity, and these are skill you must cultivate.

Is there any advice you would give to someone planning to enter the interior design industry?

The only advice we can give is to deeply understand yourself and your taste. If you don’t focus first of all on your own training as designers it will be very difficult to be able to express yourself through creativity. Exactly how we decide the clothes to wear, our style, how we want to be seen by other people, in the same way we must understand how we want to express ourselves in our projects, paying attention to every detail.

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