FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e JULY 8, 2021 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 31
How to create a safe, calm oasis at home
Many people are looking for ways to
update their homes to provide a sense of
comfort and connection to the outdoors.
Th e goal is to create a safe, calm oasis at
home, drawing inspiration from biophilic
designs, which means enhancements
that focus on a human’s innate attraction
to nature.
Outdoor projects are fl ourishing as people
extend their living spaces to feel closer
to their natural surroundings. Check out
these top backyard renovation ideas:
Water elements
Th ere’s something serene about listening
to the ocean waves or a bubbling
brook, and people are bringing this feeling
home by incorporating water elements
into their outdoor spaces. Th e stressreducing
eff ect of listening to water is
welcome, plus water elements add to the
outdoor aesthetic and beautify the space.
Something as simple as a solar-powered
fountain can work this magic, but many
people are investing more money into
permanent structures, such as garden
streams, ponds and pondless waterfalls.
Full outdoor kitchens
Eating al fresco is wonderful for sharing
meals, but cooking al fresco takes outdoor
living to a whole new level. Outdoor
kitchens are trending, with many people
customizing patio spaces with a grill,
hearth or pizza oven, refrigerator and
even a sink thanks to above-fl oor plumbing
solutions like the Sanivite drain pump
from Sanifl o. Typically for proper drainage,
you would need conventional, belowfl
oor plumbing, but above-the-fl oor
options like drain pumps make it possible
to add a sink and more where no drainage
currently exists. Aft er a full outdoor kitchen
is established, people are rounding out
these spaces with a dining table and even
lounge chairs for conversing and making
memories at home.
Functional landscaping
People are striving for thoughtful landscape
designs that keep in mind their
needs and the needs of the environment.
For example, shade elements provide
comfort, privacy and sound control,
allowing spaces to be used for gathering
or for work and study. Sustainable gardens
are another good example, with people
wanting the ability to produce herbs,
vegetables and fruits at home. Beyond the
garden plot, this includes container gardens,
raised-bed gardens and integrating
edibles into landscaping. People are
enjoying the ability to get creative and
exercise their green thumb.
Outdoor bathrooms
For people who have a pool, spa or
detached workout space, having an outdoor
bathroom can be a huge plus.
However, it can also be costly and timeconsuming
to create one separate from the
main home using conventional plumbing
methods. Sanifl o’s Sanicompact off ers an
alternative that requires no breaking up
concrete or excavation to install expensive
below-fl oor drainage. Th is self-contained
macerating toilet is ideal for small spaces
like a cabana or changing room where
you’d also like to have a toilet. Plus, the
dual-fl ush system saves water, which can
help manage utility bills and support the
environment.
Private, personalized
outdoor rooms
With a bit of creativity and a strategic
approach, people are creating outdoor
“rooms” that are mini-escapes
alongside Mother Nature. This might
include creating a meditative garden
in the corner of the yard, a yoga space
for daily practice next to the patio, or a
pathway that leads to a backyard bench
for a reading retreat. Hardscaping such
as rocks and stone is often used to
define these spaces while trees, shrubs
and vines are used to add privacy.
Homeowners are even incorporating
their personal tastes into these spaces
with sculpture, glass art or other garden
decor.
The pandemic has had an undeniable
influence on architectural, building
and remodeling trends, with outdoor
projects popular nationwide. These top
projects reflect the human desire for
connection to the natural world and to
find comfort in outdoor-living opportunities.
— Courtesy of BPT
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