Granite in Outdoor Living Spaces: Designing the Perfect Patio or BBQ

Outdoor living spaces are designed to take some of the comforts of your home and weave them seamlessly into your outdoor space. They should accentuate the best aspects of your exterior property while reflecting your interior design taste.

Expertly created outdoor living spaces provide homeowners with a beautiful spot to entertain guests or simply relax at the end of a long day. They also have the potential to add value to your home.

In this article, we take a look at how to build a great outdoor living space—complete with granite. Read on to learn more!

Choose Your Location

Many outdoor living spaces are chosen with convenience in mind. The homeowner opts for exterior space near their back door. What easier way to bring hot dogs and burgers from the kitchen fridge to your grill?

While there is always something to be said for the path of least resistance, at the conceptual stage, you have almost unlimited options. Don’t let your ultimate design suffer for lack of imagination. Think first about what makes your yard special. Is there a grand feature around which you might center your design? A pool? A lake view? Maybe an excellent garden?

If there is a special feature in your yard that deserves to be the star of the show, it may be worth considering positioning your outdoor living space around it. The ultimate result will be much more dramatic and enjoyable. Besides—a few extra steps will register only as a win in the eyes of your Fitbit.

Decide On What You Want

You’ll find that the sky is the limit. Well. The sky is the sky. Your budget is the limit. But outdoor living areas can include virtually all of the comforts of your home—if you’re willing to spend the money for them. Plush seating areas. Shaded awnings. Fairy lights. Cooking spaces that would rival any kitchen.

Firepits, ping pong tables. Television sets. Even fireplaces. Naturally, the more intricate the space, the more it will cost you. Make a budget and then spend some time perusing the internet for ideas. You’ll find more than enough inspiration, and probably begin to weigh the merits of a second mortgage in the process.

Pick Your Materials

The materials you choose will influence your budget. They will also contribute to your ROI. A really well-made outdoor area will hold up to the wear and tear naturally supplied by the elements. You’ll have many choices for the flooring, from timeless stone to more modern cement patios.

For cooking surfaces, granite is an excellent option. For one thing, it is waterproof, which means it won’t experience much—if any—wear and tear from the elements.

It’s also just a great countertop material. Sturdy. Stain resistant. Attractive. Unique! Because granite is a natural stone, no two countertops are ever exactly the same.

If you have granite in your home, this is an excellent way to add continuity to your design concept. By choosing a style that is similar to what you used in your kitchen, the outdoor space will feel even more like an extension of your home.

Granite is also a proven winner when it comes to retaining its value, which is an important consideration to make at every stage of the building process. You may not be thinking about reselling your home now—as you plan a five-figure outdoor living space—but the day may come. When it does, you’ll be glad to have an area that truly contributes to your home’s total value.

Get Bids

For a project of this scope, it is a good idea to get multiple bids. The project will be expensive no matter what but you may be surprised how radically different estimates for the same job can be. Multiple bids will give you a better understanding of the true cost of your project. It may also offer you some leverage.

To your favorite contractor, you might say, “I’m very impressed by you and your team. That said, the guys at BLANK are telling me they can do the job for BLANK. Do we have any wiggle room on your quote?”

Of course, you don’t only want to prioritize the cost. It’s also important to consider the quality of the service. You may find that a little-known construction company with three Google Reviews is willing to give you the best quote.

That doesn’t mean they will give you the best outcome. Choose a licensed, insured, and proven contractor who will get the job done in a reasonable time frame. Anyone can put together an inviting quote. Only experienced professionals running an effective business will stick to their quote, and deliver quality results in the time specified.

Enjoy Your Outdoor Living Spaces!

The last step, of course, is to enjoy your new outdoor living area. This step may feel distant as you review contracts and bids and explore the merits of different design concepts. It will come eventually. When it does, you will see that it was very worth the trouble. An evening of steak to commemorate the stunning new addition to your home? It sounds more than appropriate.

Until then, make sure there is something to celebrate. Choose great materials from reliable sources to ensure a low-stress construction process and a high-quality finished product.

Need help getting started? At BRZ Granite and Marble, we have a long-established track record of providing families in the Austin area with high-quality stone countertops. Contact us today for a free quote.