Exploring Ideas: Designing Outdoor Living Spaces
If you want to take your outdoor entertainment area from ordinary to extraordinary, then consider adding a seating wall. You will love having the extra seating around the barbecue in the summer and around the fire pit as the days get cooler.
Points to Keep in Mind
Seating walls can be either free-standing walls or landscape-retaining walls. Retaining seat walls are the most cost-effective solution because they help keep other elements of the landscape in place. Consider the drainage as these walls stop the flow of water. Therefore, you may end up with dry or wet areas in your yard that have not been there before. Consider the path that someone will need to take to get to the seating so that they are not stomping through tender vegetation.
Choose the Right Dimensions
Seating walls can be any dimension. Most are between 18 and 24 inches tall. Most are from 12 to 18 inches wide. If you often have small children around, then you can choose to make some pint size.
Most people choose walls that are at least four feet long. They can be as long as you desire, but remember that long seating walls without any breaks can quickly overpower other elements of your landscaping. Consider building two seating walls that meet in a corner as they are super for quiet conversation.
At the end of each wall, place a column or boulder that is slightly bigger and taller than the seating wall. These end stones should have a cap. If you are working on a tight budget, then this is one place where you want to splurge a little.
Seating Wall Materials
Seating walls can be made of many different materials. One very cost-effective solution is to use block/cap paver stones. These come in a variety of colors, so one is perfect for helping to beautify your landscaping. Many people use concrete. Seating walls can even be made of old pallets. Think about how the color choices that you are making will complement other colors already in your landscaping.
Add Visual Interest
Make your seating wall extraordinary by considering its geometric design. Take a walk through the area and see what shapes are already there. Then, add to those shapes by incorporating them into your wall. For example, if you are building the wall along a curved patio, then use a curved seating wall. If you are having one custom built, then consider taking this to the next level by having geometric cup holders built into your design.
Seating walls are a beautiful addition to your landscaping. Use them near outdoor entertaining areas to add extra seating. Choose the right shape, materials and colors to create a space that wows your guests.
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