Brilliant sunshine softened by sea breezes, the warm sweet scent of beach roses, the soothing crash of waves against the shore, a black nocturnal sky alive with endless stars. Summer days and nights are too beautiful and precious to be spent indoors. Today’s families are not limited to traditional decks, porches, and patios for al fresco entertaining. Outdoor spaces are now customized in countless ways for every lifestyle and integrated perfectly with the main house. From the experts at Woodmeister Master Builders here are some of the latest trends and ideas for maximizing your outdoor living enjoyment – without leaving home.

Pools and Spas
Pools today have come a long way from the rectangles of chlorinated water surrounded by concrete that we grew up with. Most pools are now free-form shapes designed and built to look natural and blend seamlessly with the rest of the backyard retreat. The trend is to use natural materials, such as stone, for both durability and beauty. Optional luxury features include heated pools and spas, salt water, infinity edges, waterfalls, fountains, and misting systems. In addition, lighting is an important element for safety and ambiance. When integrated into the pool and spa areas, lighting gives a warm and inviting glow at night. Pool houses, cabanas, and built-in storage spaces for pool equipment and toys are also part of a complete outdoor living design. According to Neal Adamiak, Senior Job Captain at Woodmeister, their customers typically request custom built-in cabinetry even in these recreational areas for clean, uncluttered lines and easy entertaining.

Outdoor Kitchens
With all the fun going on outside, cooks don’t have to be stuck in the house. Outdoor kitchens have been popular for several years, and they keep getting better. Customized for any lifestyle, these spaces range from basic designs with grills, sinks, and refrigerators to sophisticated layouts that also include freestanding fireplaces, conventional and microwave ovens, bars, retractable plasma televisions, and creative seating. Stainless steel and natural materials that withstand the elements and integrate beautifully with the rest of the outdoor design are the most popular material choices. Neal Adamiak says discerning homeowners “expect the same quality in their outdoor kitchens as they do in their inside ones.” This includes custom storage solutions, exceptional materials and millwork details, and seamless blending of all components.

Hybrid Rooms
According to Woodmeister’s Adamiak, one of the hottest trends in outdoor living is the hybrid room. Typically attached to the main house, these spaces truly bring indoor living outside, yet can be enjoyed year round. Custom screened wall units and “floating” floors with drainage features make the room perfect for the warm months and exposure to the elements. By replacing the screens with removable glass panels in the fall and installing detachable solid floor sections, the room can be heated and enjoyed during the cold seasons. Fireplaces add charm and ambience, as well take the chill out of cool evenings. Nana-wall systems are also popular, which allow homeowners to open up an entire wall with retractable glass panels. Custom storage systems can be made to keep wall panels clean and safe during the off-season. “There really are unlimited possibilities for designing to bring indoor living outdoors,” Adamiak says. “If our customer can imagine it, we can build it.”

Outdoor Showers
Outdoor showers are one of the strongest coastal home traditions. Whether you are washing away the salt and sand from a day at the beach or simply luxuriating in a warm shower outside on a cool summer night, this essential island ritual is probably an important part of your outdoor living. Outdoor shower designs typically include a privacy enclosure made of natural wood that withstands the elements and is easily maintained. According to Jeff Ham, Senior Project Manager at Woodmeister, who has worked on Nantucket for over 20 years, the sandy island soil makes it ideal for draining outdoor showers. “Even so, we still have to make sure the ground can take the water fast enough to be sure it doesn’t puddle up on the lawn, or next to the barbecue grill,” he explains.

These are just a few of the many features that can make outdoor living enjoyable and memorable for you and your family. Additional ideas include roof decks, widow’s walks, multi-level decks and patios, and pergolas. Take advantage of the unique characteristics of your property to create a one-of-a-kind backyard retreat that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Above all else, however, make the most of every wonderful moment outdoors this summer!