A Guide to Building Your Home's Outdoor Oasis
- David Rogers
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
Spring in Charlotte. Is there anything quite like it? After this year's odd winter weather, the blooms, warm breezes, and sunshine call us to spend more time outdoors! As a custom home builder in the Charlotte, NC, area, I see firsthand how homeowners crave spaces that effortlessly blend the comfort of their interiors with the beauty of their surroundings. This desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living is at the heart of many of our projects, which we're passionate about building.
This year, we're working on a truly exceptional project—a custom home exceeding 22,000 square feet that maximizes the enjoyment of Charlotte's climate. It's not just a house, but a home where entertaining flows effortlessly inside and out or family gatherings could spill onto patios and poolside. This vision inspires this blog post: how to create seamless transitions in your home, big or small, to embrace the joys of indoor-outdoor living fully.
The Charlotte Climate for Home Building
Charlotte's moderate climate makes it ideal for enjoying the outdoors almost year-round. From the azaleas blooming in spring to the crisp, sunny days of autumn, there's always a reason to step outside.
Charlotte's climate throughout the seasons:
Summer (June - August): Hot and humid, with daytime highs typically ranging from 85°F to 95°F (29°C - 35°C).
Winter (December - February): Winters are relatively mild. Average temperatures range from 40°F to 50°F (4°C - 10°C).
Spring (March) and Fall (September-November): Pleasant with moderate temperatures, typically ranging from 55°F to 75°F (13°C —24°C), making it ideal for outdoor activities and construction.
We consider how natural light plays across spaces throughout the day, how winds can be used for natural ventilation when the windows are opened, and how the surrounding landscape can become part of the home's aesthetic. Charlotte offers city and suburb lots, which are great for building your dream custom home.
Beyond the Sliding Glass Door: Flow to Your Outdoor Oasis
We start by creating an indoor-outdoor living experience beyond just adding a sliding glass door. We want our indoor and outdoor living spaces to feel and connect through exterior slider doors. We achieve this through several key strategies:
The Fifth Wall: The ceilings are just as important as the flooring, so we used wood in our design with our current Waxhaw custom home to bring a luxurious and warm feel to outdoor living.
Level Transitions: Minimizing thresholds and steps between indoor and outdoor spaces is key to creating a seamless flow. Ideally, patios and decks should be level with interior flooring, as this avoids a trip hazard and makes both the indoor and outdoor spaces feel connected.
Expansive Openings: Large, retractable glass doors offer ultimate indoor-outdoor connectivity and are a must-have in our custom builds. You can opt for slider doors, garage-style roll-up doors, or something else your builder, architect, or designer may suggest that suits your needs and style.
Covered Patio Ideas
A covered patio is a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while being protected from the sun or rain. There are many ways to design a covered patio, depending on the atmosphere you want to create! Here are some important key factors to consider when planning your covered patio:
Layout Matters
Once you've established the seamless transition, creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space is where to begin. First, your backyard patio should reflect your style and meet your family's needs. Do you need a space for a large table, or maybe you want an outdoor fireplace and a cozier setting with automated shades and a modern feel? Consider your outdoor spaces an extension of interior living. Create a sense of purpose by defining different zones for dining, lounging, and cooking, just as you would inside your home.
Outdoor Fireplace
As the evenings cool, an outdoor fireplace provides warmth and ambiance. It's the perfect gathering spot for conversation. Whether you prefer the classic smell and charm of a wood-burning fireplace or the more modern convenience of a gas-powered unit, the flickering flames create a captivating focal point in any home.
Outdoor Kitchens
Taking the culinary experience outdoors elevates entertaining to a new level! Imagine cooking or having a chef cook while enjoying the fresh air! It could mean having a built-in grill and pizza oven or a full kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and plenty of counter space. The possibilities are endless.
Tips for Designing a Covered Patio
Consider the weather: Ensure that your roofing material is appropriate for your climate (e.g., durable for heavy rain, UV-resistant for sunny climates).
Comfort is key: For cooler evenings, add comfortable seating, pillows, and blankets.
Integrate the outdoors: Make sure the patio feels connected to your garden or backyard with natural elements like plants or a grassy nearby area.
Use the space wisely: If the space is small, try multifunctional furniture, like a dining table that can double as a workspace.
In-Ground Pools: A Touch of Luxury
For many Charlotte homeowners, an in-ground pool is the ultimate outdoor luxury. Many of our clients use their pools to exercise or to create fun memories with family and friends. When designing a pool, consider its materials, size, shape, location, surrounding landscaping, and hardscaping. You can read about even more options in our previous blog, Building A Luxury Backyard.
The Importance of Professional Guidance
Creating an exceptional indoor-outdoor living space requires careful planning and attention to detail. As experienced custom home builders in Charlotte, we help you navigate the process, from the initial detailed consultation to the design concepts and construction. We work closely with our talented team of architects, designers, and landscape architects to ensure that every element of your custom home, inside and out, is integrated just how you want it to be.
Ready to Create Your Dream Outdoor Oasis?
We're passionate about creating homes that reflect your lifestyle and vision. We invite you to explore our portfolio of previous projects on our website to see examples of our work and inspiration. You can also follow along on Instagram, where we share our latest construction projects, including our 12,000-square-foot custom home in the beautiful Waxhaw, NC!
Ready to start discussing your own custom home? Contact us today, and let us help you bring your dream of seamless indoor-outdoor living to life. We look forward to hearing from you!