Landscape Design Ideas for Backyards With a View in Bristol and Middletown RI Areas
If you’re fortunate enough to enjoy a beautiful view from your home, you’ll want to optimize your outdoor living spaces to take full advantage of it. Here are some clever landscape design ideas for backyards with a view in Bristol and Middletown, RI, areas.
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A Dramatic Reveal
Sometimes, it’s exciting to reveal a view a little at a time, creating anticipation. This could be achieved by walking along a beautiful meandering walkway. Bluestone, limestone, granite, brick, flagstone, or tumbled stone could set the tone for the nature of the destination, depending on the architecture of your home and your design aesthetic.
Other times, it’s fun to make the “reveal” dramatic. A straight path to the view, as well as vertical elements such as a retaining wall or pillars, could guide the eye toward the view.
Framing the View
When you frame a view, you draw attention to it more so than if the view were simply “there.” Trees work well, as do dramatic features such as twin fire-topped masonry pillars. You can add privacy while framing the view in a beautiful way, with a living wall of cypress or other evergreens.
Enjoying the View
If you want a spot to enjoy the view, keep it as open as possible. If you place a pergola or other shade structure at the point where the view is, you will block the view. This is okay, if you want a more subtle reveal, but if you want the prime viewing spot to be further back, such as from the home, make sure that you don’t block it with a pergola or other large element.
Offer a comfortable place to sit where people can enjoy the view. Whether the viewing area is an outdoor living room, a dining room, a fire pit area or simply a bench or swing, choose comfortable furnishings.
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Avoiding Distractions
Many people like to install a paver patio where the prime viewing area is. Choose paver colors that don’t dominate the view. Mid-tone colors and matte or flat finishes rather than light colors and glossy finishes will keep your eye engaged with the view. Because the view dominates, you won’t need any extra embellishments such as contrasting borders or inlays.
Comfort
A fire pit offers a cozy way to enjoy the view, without obstructing it. A natural gas or propane fire pit will keep the smoke out of your eyes; but if you relish the idea of campfire-style cookouts, you’ll want a wood-fueled fire for flavor and authentic crackle and aromas.
Entertaining
If you’re a passionate entertainer, you could position an outdoor kitchen to take advantage of the view. Choose an open kitchen such as an L-shape, with the point of the kitchen oriented toward the view (and the open end of the kitchen toward the home). A U-shaped kitchen would likewise have the open end toward the home and the closed end toward the view. This way, both the cook and guests can enjoy the views.
A typical rectangular dining table should be positioned with the narrow end toward the view, so that nobody has to turn all the way around to see it: just a sideways glance will do.
Soaking It In
An infinity hot tub or infinity pool positioned at the edge of the view creates a dramatic place for enjoying the view. Position lounge seating above and behind the pool or spa, so you enjoy the sensation of the water “spilling” over the edge.