Landscape Design in Southampton & Long Island NY
Social distancing is a new concept for most of us, and a difficult one. To make the best of the situation, it’s important to have a beautiful, inspiring, and tranquil space where you can relax outdoors - a space that will wash away your worries with nature’s beauty. Here are a few landscape design ideas inspired by social distancing in Southampton, NY.
Related: TAILORING YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN TO COMPLEMENT YOUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS IN PORT JEFFERSON, NY
A Larger Patio
A patio is where you likely spend most of your at-home outdoor time. When stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, many people will still be hesitant to congregate in groups where they have no choice but to be in close proximity to each other. If your patio doesn’t accommodate an easy (and comfortable) 6’ distance between people, a patio expansion may be in order. If you imagine a larger patio, you may visualize the patio “eating up” your entire backyard, but it doesn’t have to be this way at all. Adding a peninsula-style addition (or two) will add space and create an interesting space that transitions beautifully into the landscape. What can you place in these peninsulas?
One of these peninsulas could be larger, and focused around a fire pit or fireplace seating area that gives everyone plenty of elbow room. This will immediately give you more space on your main patio for placing a few chairs for socially distant gatherings. Another peninsula can house a pergola and a small seating area.
The beauty of adding peninsulas rather than making the entire patio bigger, is that you don’t even have to use the same materials throughout! So if your main patio uses materials that are no longer available, you can give your additions their own personality and charm using different materials altogether. Tie the two spaces in with a few accents or with a seat wall and the addition will look very much like it was done intentionally rather than by accident.
A Fire Table
A spacious fire table can take the place of an outdoor dining table. Diners are separated by a central area filled with colorful fire glass or lava rock, and of course fire. Fire tables can be bar height, dining height, or coffee table height. Either way, their propane- or natural gas-fueled flames create an attractive focal point. Fire tables can be slim and small in size, or as large as a banquet table. A fire table is sure to become the centerpiece of your patio!
Water
Water has an immediate soothing effect on the human psyche. This is a much-appreciated effect especially now, that people are dealing with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. Adding one or more fountains to your landscape will help wash away your worries. Water features can be as simple as a garden fountain or as complex as a cascading waterfall.
Sunshine and Shade
Scientists theorize that Vitamin D is an important part of the immune system’s ability to fight the COVID-19 virus. It’s recommended that people get more vitamin D, and the best source is natural sunlight. Most patios are situated to maximize sunshine. However, too much of a good thing can be bad too, so you want to balance sun exposure with protecting your skin in the shade - without going back indoors. A pergola, pavilion, or gazebo give you the fresh air that’s good for the soul, and the option of getting out of the sun especially during the more dangerous sun-exposure hours of 10-3.
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