3 Favorite Outdoor Spaces for Summer Fun By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Summer is our favorite time of the year to work with clients. Whether we’re curating an outdoor kitchen or styling a beautiful new deck, something about the warm weather makes us want to blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors with thoughtful design and fashion-forward functionality. Here are some of our favorite ways to create an inspirational outdoor space this season.

The rooftop deck

Those of us who aren’t blessed with the square footage to have a backyard, need to get clever to find other solutions. If you live in a townhouse or apartment in the big city, don’t hole yourself up in the living room. Head to the roof! Rooftop decks are making a comeback with stylish sunproof fabrics and durable appliances perfect for an outdoor soiree or afternoon sipping cocktails. With a smaller area to work with, every detail counts, right down to the trim on the cushions. Each piece should speak to your style, whether you’re going for a Hamptons retreat or Miami Beach-inspired entertainment area. Make sure you have plenty of seating with umbrellas available for an afternoon siesta. We love the way bright citrusy colors and patterns help brighten outdoor decks made of concrete or stone. Add a summery vibe with plenty of greenery potted in patterned vases, and flowers on every bistro table to greet your guests.

The California room

Here in California, we can’t imagine a home without a space that easily transitions into the great outdoors. Enter the California room: a space perfectly situated just outside a sliding glass door with transitional elements like interior furnishings and exterior fabrics. This space usually consists of a small outdoor kitchen and dining area for nights when the weather is too beautiful not to enjoy. The California room is often home to an entertainment center like a television for the big game, or speakers to enjoy relaxing music. The key to creating the perfect California room is to keep it fluid. Use gauzy curtains and outdoor fabrics to maintain a soft vibe while also adding elements usually found indoors like couches, chaise lounges, and coffee tables for an interior-inspired look.

The outdoor kitchen

Last but certainly not least, the outdoor kitchen is the epitome of an inspired space. Whether you’re enjoying a dinner for two or a summer-themed fete, an outdoor kitchen is key to keeping your guests happy all evening long. An outdoor kitchen usually consists of a few major components. First, you need a grill and complementary appliances. We love a great stainless steel grill with multiple features for when you’d rather serve fish than burgers, or vegetable skewers instead of tri-tip. Equally stylish and useful features could include a built-in wine fridge or drink cooler, a sink, and a food prep station. Next, pick materials that are both durable and fashion-forward like stone and quartz to help make after-meal cleanup that much easier. Finally, choose accessories that help create a dining area suitable for families and guests like placemats, centerpieces, and plenty of lighting. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.