Modern and Natural Outdoor Kitchens and Baths Design

Outdoor kitchens and baths have made their way to being a spotlight trend. Outdoor kitchens are very popular, and are especially useful in summer to keep extra heat out of the house. Outdoor baths are a little slower taking off, especially in the US, as we tend to be a bit conservative. However, if you live in a more rural area (i.e. NOT in a neighborhood), these intimate retreats can be very sensual or relaxing escape.

Outdoor kitchens are wonderful for entertaining, and can add value to your home. Simple outdoor kitchens can consist of a counter top, sink, prep area, shelf storage, and a grill. High-end outdoor kitchens can consist of weather resistant cabinetry, stainless steel appliances (sometimes including wine storage), sinks, pizza ovens, steamers, fryers, the whole nine yards!

This simple kitchen requires minimum space and is easily placed on any size deck or patio that will accept its size. It comes with an integrated grill (in the forefront) and a sink and faucet that connect to your water hose to get water.

A gourmet outdoorsman's delight, this kitchen has all of the finest accessories: a grill, gas burners, a smoker (on the right side of the frame), under counter refrigerator, warming ovens, and icemaker. The wood cabinetry is treated to be weather resistant, as are the deck and furnishings. The drink station in the background has a sink and all the right equipment for making a summer cocktail.

This kitchen falls into the mid-range as far as pricing goes, but has tons of counter space and a raised bar for seating a hungry crowd.

A simple kitchen that has a rustic appeal, which makes the space very welcoming. The wood burning pizza oven in the background is a family favorite.

Outdoor Baths are gaining popularity in the US, but have been in other parts of the world for centuries. Like their interior counterparts, these fixtures require access to drain lines, so take that into consideration before deciding to create your own retreat. They are called baths instead of bathrooms because a toilet is rarely ever included in an exterior space. The main focal point of these outdoor spaces is a tub and its fixtures, though some also include a shower as below:

This simple soaking tub overlooks a gorgeous view of the countryside below

A tropical paradise and a soothing tub full of fragrant flowers can be intoxicating. This outdoor bath provides privacy as well as a view, but should there be any onlookers at the beach, the window can be closed with a solid panel.

Outdoor spaces are wonderful, but take care to contact a qualified contractor and designer before you start into your project. As mentioned above, drainage, ventilation, electrical, and plumbing issues must be addressed in order to make your dream space function the way you envision it to, and as city codes mandate it to.

Guides on Planning an Outdoor Lighting Layout

Outdoor lighting projects such as garden lighting, park, landscape lighting need a serious planing. A successful outdoor lighting plan requires selecting the right fixtures, then placing and wiring them correctly. The first thing before planing an outdoor lighting is Selecting the right design and components, Walk into any home center or garden center this spring and you’re guaranteed to run into a towering display of low-voltage lighting. You’ll find $69 prepackaged sets and $100 individual lights; plastic fixtures and metal ones; lights you can shine down from trees and up from ponds.

Use waterproof pond lights for illuminating pools, fountains and other water features; offset path lights for lighting walkways; cone lights for highlighting both walkways and the surrounding plants; tree-mounted spotlights for simulating moonlight; and flood lights for illuminating trees, buildings and other large elements.

Consider that a Special lights need special effects too, A MOON LIGHT should be installed 15 to 30 ft. high and have one or more branches between it and the ground to simulate moon shadows. Provide at least 24 in. between the light and branches to prevent “hot spots.”

Here are another tips on designing an outdoor lighting plan:

• If your lights come with press-on fittings—the type that bite through the insulation and into the wire to make their connection—cut them off and use the wire connectors shown in Photo 4. 


• The farther a light is from the transformer (and the more lights installed between it and the transformer), the less light it will put out.  


• Always leave a little extra wire as you hook up the lights. This will give you the freedom to move a light after you’ve hooked it up for testing or after you’ve installed it.


• Burying the wires should be your last step. Lay everything out, hook up your lights, test your voltage, and look at your results at night before burying the lines.


• Purchase a transformer with a built-in photocell and timer. Orient the photocell with some western (sunset) orientation so it doesn’t turn lights on too early.

more information: rd.com

Outdoor Lighting System of Confort Myojindai with EYE CERA ARC lamps

The outdoor  lighting system for this housing complex was revamped along with exterior improvements of the housing development. Pole lights and approach lights of human scale and height have been set up along the pathways for the development. Here is an outdoor lighting system of Confort Myojindai, located in Yokohama City, Japan.

By combining wide-span light distributing Cerca fixtures and highly efficient EYE CERA ARC lamps, a lighting environment was created, which contributes to energy conservation while ensuring sufficient illuminant for safety. Environmentally-friendly lighting system that controls light pollution gently illuminates the garden.

The solar LED blocks are set up along the roads, for creating a visual guidance effect and therapeutic space, so it make a romantic and safety road to use the roads. [eye]