Blending Functions: Linked Perimeter Spaces

When warmer weather begins, homeowners are looking for ways to spend more time outside. The perimeter of your landscape offers you the opportunity to enjoy the spring and summer by extending your living space into the great outdoors. Perimeter spaces are the landscaped areas that can be immediately accessed by stepping outside your home, including dining areas, grill gardens/outdoor fireplaces, swimming pools and more.

Linking perimeter spaces gives your landscape a whole new dimension, allowing you to spend more uninterrupted time outdoors. Linked perimeter spaces are connected by pathways throughout your landscape, so that they can easily flow from one to the other.

Today’s linked perimeters are reflective of the trend toward multifunctional outdoor spaces, which are necessary for smaller lots. Rather than walls, designers use other techniques to designate where one activity area begins and the other ends, such as changes in elevation, texture changes, planting beds and even open lawns.

When creating a perimeter dining area, you’ll need to consider the amount of seating required, the size of the terrace where it will be staged and the amount of available flat space. Having a furniture plan will help ensure success. Several dining tables may be needed for large groups, while side tables and etageres also can add functionality to dining areas.

Grill gardens and outdoor fireplaces are commonly found near dining areas in linked perimeter landscapes. Placing the grill near conversation-friendly areas keeps the chef engaged with guests and makes the cooking process a part of the entertainment. Outdoor fireplaces can serve as an attraction in themselves and can also be used for cooking food and providing warmth.

Growing kitchen gardens and flower gardens around the perimeter makes it easy to step outside and water plants, as well as pick fresh flowers or herbs. Besides these conveniences, you can enjoy looking at beautiful flowers and plants growing outside your window and throughout your yard.

 While it can be a challenge, incorporating swimming pools in linked perimeters is possible with careful planning. Even narrow lots can accommodate a lap pool, which can also serve as an art piece in the landscape viewable from both the outdoors and indoors. Adding an infinity pool on the other hand can help make your property appear larger, while also capturing views of nature.

Open lawns are the area rug of outdoor living spaces. These are the ultimate multifunctional spaces because they can be customized to the owner’s lifestyle. Whether a space for recreation is needed or just a visual break in the landscape, grassy areas should be factored into the perimeter of your landscape.

Could your landscape benefit from a design featuring linked perimeter spaces? If so, contact Dargan Landscape Architects to discuss developing a master plan or tune up for your property.