Designs that Inspire – Indoor Outdoor Spaces

Inspired by coastline climates like Florida and California, indoor outdoor spaces have become one of our most popular features in our homes.  Typically these indoor-outdoor spaces are separated by a large glass door or glass wall that opens up to an adjoining outdoor living area.  Here in Texas, we install a lot of these indoor outdoor living areas.  In fact, I would say that over 90% our custom homes have an indoor space that opens up to an outdoor living area via a large glass wall or door that pockets back either into the wall or stacks next to it.  They work especially well with a pool and outdoor kitchen area because the pool tends to keep the area cool and can have a nice “white noise” effect with its water features or spa overflow.

Entertaining in Indoor Outdoor Spaces

What we love about all indoor outdoor spaces is how well they work for entertaining. In this particular outdoor living design, above, the indoor space is a game room that serves as a “sports bar” of sorts, with its multiple TVs and wet bar.  The wine room, which houses an impressive 800+ bottles in its temperature-controlled environment, sits at the back of the wet bar out of the way but convenient to the bartender.  The outdoor living beckons, with the huge built-in bench, complete with curtains, and an outdoor kitchen with covered seating and nice fireplace.  The multiple levels give the feeling of different rooms (or functions), with the sunning deck on one level and a grassy area below that.

Check out the gallery below to be inspired by some of our favorite designs of indoor-outdoor living areas.

Indoor-outdoor living reaches its full potential when the whole home sits on one level, which is much of the appeal of a single-story luxury home.