Create a backyard oasis for outdoor living, entertaining

We are selling our summer cottage this year, as the weekend commute has become crazy. Our backyard at home has enough space for a small pool and an entertainment area, and we’re wondering what’s new in grilling.

There has been a definite shift toward building a backyard oasis over the past 10 to 15 years.

Increased fuel costs and traffic congestion, as well as more work hours for both parents have caused many of us to re-evaluate how and where we spend our downtime.

With this change has come a surge of interest in building outdoor fire pits, super grills and pizza ovens.

Now is the time for you to make your dream list of what you would like to see outside your back door. Exterior buildings and pools require permits, and you’ll want to be sure your new outdoor living space meets your area building codes for electricity, fuel and water. In my experience, it’s best to hire a professional designer/contractor to ensure that you are making the best long-term decisions.

I conferred with Joanne Bloye, head designer at Outdoor Luxury, about what today’s outdoor kitchens are looking like and how best to plan your own space.

Outdoor Luxury (www.outdoorluxury.com) creates fabulous outdoor kitchens from the design stage to the final setup and has the inside track on the best product lines and add-ons that make cooking and entertaining outside a treat.

Learn what’s available — from grills, side burners, infrared burners, ovens and warmer drawers to sinks, fridges and drop-in coolers built into your counter. Be aware of the importance of quality; invest in the best you can afford, and look for excellent warranties on grills.

You may choose to build a kitchen or cabana away from the house, perhaps beside a pool or water feature.

The location of the kitchen is the first consideration because all the plumbing and electricals have to be built in. Your outdoor kitchen walls can be stone, wood, stucco or a combination of materials that complement your home’s exterior.

Bloye notes that the waterfall countertop style is very popular, as is granite for facing. Include some seating in your outdoor kitchen space, such as a bar on the far side of the counter.

This will be a glamorous new room where you and your friends and family will gather, just like your indoor kitchen.

Have you any ideas for setting up a divider between front porches? The houses on our street are very close together, and I’d like our porch to look good from both sides.

Think about building a live divide — perhaps a wall of ivy or flowering vines growing up a lattice framework.

Another thought would be to line up a row of slender bamboo trees planted in containers. Bamboo trees grow quickly, are easy to manage and can be enjoyed from all angles. The spaces between the trees will allow the summer breezes to drift through.

If you prefer to have a solid divide, look for bamboo screens. These screens are flexible and can stand on their own, or they can be propped up behind a bench. If wind is an issue, hook the screens to the top and side of the porch.

Also, talk to your neighbors and see what ideas they have. It’s for everyone’s benefit.