Floridians love our outdoor spaces – and why not? Whether you look out on blue skies and lush landscaping or have the luxury of a water view, everyone wants to take advantage of our subtropical climate. There has always been an emphasis on outdoor living in the Sarasota area, but custom homes are increasingly looking for seamless ways to integrate the outdoors with their interior design.

Integrating the indoor and outdoor living spaces is the perfect way to create a holistic living environment that showcases the best of both worlds. Here are some of our favorite ways to achieve that result: 

Keep Spaces on the Same Level: The interior and exterior floors should be kept on the same level (without a step up or down). This design tip creates the illusion of a single, continuous space when doors are open. 

Large Windows and Glass Doors: Flooding the home with natural light is an obvious way to bring the outdoors in. Large windows and glass doors allow light to permeate while opening up the outside views. When designing a custom home, be sure to place the windows so they frame your best views (and block any not-so-pretty details). Consider a glass wall or disappearing pocket sliders if you have an exceptional view out the back. Too much afternoon sun can make a room uncomfortably warm or produce a blinding glare. Install window treatments or a roof overhang that can retract when necessary. 

Expert Tip: Keep furniture away from the glass to preserve a natural flow between the outdoors and interior space. 

Design an Outdoor Kitchen:Outdoor living is elevated when you can prepare a meal while interacting with your guests. A gourmet outdoor kitchen allows homeowners to serve a fantastic meal but not miss the party. A genuinely functional outdoor kitchen needs a grill, stovetop, stone prep area, sink, storage for utensils and dishes, refrigerator, and ice maker. Build your outdoor kitchen adjacent to your indoor kitchen to minimize the effort required to transport food and supplies back and forth.

Select Comfortable Outdoor Furniture: Outdoor living areas more seamlessly flow with the rest of the home when the outdoor furniture matches the indoor furniture style. Although your selection needs to be weather-resistant, you can still opt for comfortable outdoor sofa seating with complementary color palettes. A well-furnished and inviting outdoor space coaxes people outside without asking them to sit on plastic chairs or hard benches. 

Build a Luxurious Two-Sided Fireplace:  Firepits and outdoor fireplaces are trending and considered “must-have” features for custom homes. However, a two-sided fireplace (one side facing an indoor living space and the other facing a patio or deck) is perfect for uniting the outdoors and indoors into a seamless space. Glass walls around the fireplace further expand the view. A gas fireplace is an ideal choice – it ignites with the touch of a button, and there is no mess to clean up.

Design an Extended Roof Overhang: Protecting your outdoor space with an extended roof means you don’t have to sacrifice being outdoors – even during summer rainstorms. Roof extensions unite the outdoor space with interior living spaces, so walking outside doesn’t feel like leaving the room. Roofing over outdoor rooms is aesthetically pleasing but also has a practical benefit. Keeping the strongest sun away from windows and doors allows interior spaces to stay cooler without overtaxing your HVAC system.

Install Electronics and Media: When designing your custom home, consider wiring the outdoor spaces for internet, music, and streaming services. This will allow you to use outdoor areas as everyday living spaces – not to mention host amazing movie nights and Superbowl parties! 

Design Your Custom Home with Bruce Williams Homes

At Bruce Williams Homes, we blend tradition and innovation when designing the most elegant and beautiful homes in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Call today to see why we have been the custom builder of choice for over 50 years.