Rooftop Oasis: 6 Designs that Bring the Outdoors In
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1. Extend the outdoor spaces
Extend living space with outdoor features like decks, patios or balconies can quickly connect the indoors and outdoors. To improve the outdoor connection of the View Ridge house, we added a balcony to the existing first floor and a roof deck on the additional second floor. Not only will these additional outdoor spaces provide extra areas for gathering and outdoor dining, but they will also provide the family an exclusive outdoor view of Mount Rainier.
2. Add large or floor-to-ceiling windows
Windows bring the outdoors in by maximizing views and light. By adding a floor-to-ceiling window next to the relocated staircase, a flood of natural light will be brought into the entire house. Large and wide windows are also used in the new office and master suite to brighten up the interior space. A room filled with sunlight and vitamin D can make you feel positive, but most importantly, these windows will greatly benefit the overall energy efficiency of the house by reducing operating costs.
4. Give the workspace a view
Incorporating outdoor elements in your office can help keep the creative juice flowing. To take full advantage of the spectacular Mount Rainier view, we moved the existing office space upstairs and added an around-the-corner windows next by the work desk. In addition to lightening up the interior space, the windows will make the office and the roof deck feel more interconnected.
3. Use doors to blend the indoors and out
Proper use of sliding glass doors can create immediate outdoor connection and let in extra natural light. We added a sliding glass door to open the living room right up to the balcony and let the breeze in. The sliding door will not only offer the living room visual and spatial continuity with the outdoors, it will also help lightening up the entire floor by bringing in more natural light.
5. Take down unnecessary walls
When placed in improper locations, walls can cut off the outdoor connection of your home by limiting views and natural light. To maximize the flow of natural light, we tore down the full-height wall at the rear of the existing living room, allowing the living room to smoothly connect to the dining room, into the kitchen and out to the back yard. The removal of the wall also creates a seamless flow from the front to the back of the house.
6. Use planters as decors
Incorporating nature in home’s décors with planters is another budget-friendly way to bring the outdoors inside. To give the overall design an organic touch, we decorated the additional roof deck and balcony with some wood panel planters. The color green is shown to reduce anxiety, while being around plants is believed to improve memory and productivity. If you are looking for some functional decorations, try adding some house plants to give your home a fresh look!