When renovating a home, we often think about interior
design, but exterior design is just as important. Without proper exterior
design, our project may not seem complete and can detract from the beauty of
the home, even though we have put in considerable effort to decorate the
interior.
Exterior design involves, first and foremost, delineating
the space, establishing the available perimeter, and assigning a purpose of
use.
Designing courtyards, terraces, and pools
If the garden is located in front of the house, it is
important for it to be tastefully arranged and elegant. If it is in a secluded
location, you can even turn it into a vegetable or flower garden, or even a
storage space.
If the garden is larger, you can assign it one or more
purposes. You can include in the design process the creation of a flower garden
or a terrace that you can use exclusively during the summer.
For smaller spaces, you can opt for functional and compact
vertical decor items. They will help you create the illusion of a larger space
for your garden. In such situations, experts recommend using brighter colors
and less complex ornaments.
The terrace can be arranged either as an extension of the
existing house or in a dedicated space (in the latter case, you will need a
generous space). Building and arranging the terrace depends on the owners’
usage needs, so the terrace can be an open one, ideal for the cold season, or a
closed one, where you can enjoy it even during the cold season.
In the case of gazebos, they are recommended to be arranged
in a space that is not in the immediate vicinity of the house. You can opt for
an open gazebo made of wood or stone or choose to build a closed gazebo that
you can also use during the cold season. However, a gazebo represents a
considerable financial effort, so before you build and arrange one, it is
recommended to analyze whether you really need it. Also, you need to consider
the costs associated with maintaining it.
If you have a generous outdoor space, you also have the
possibility of arranging a pool.
It is very important to know that to build such a
construction, you will definitely need a construction permit. You can opt for a
closed pool, which you can equip with heating systems and everything necessary
for year-round use, or for an open pool, which you can only use during the warm
season. You can choose to arrange a traditional style pool or a modern style
inspired by the exterior design of the house or yard.
Exterior design with ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles (wall tiles and floor tiles) specially created
for outdoor use represent by far the best option when we want to arrange our
terrace, courtyard or even balcony. However, choosing the type of exterior
floor tiles is not very simple.
To choose the exterior floor tiles that best suits your
needs, it is very important to know that they can be found on the Romanian
market in a very wide range of colors, textures, and finishes.
Using exterior floor tiles offers unlimited design
possibilities, due to the varied patterns available on the market.
Given that terraces are generally not protected from weather
conditions and low temperatures, it is important to use non-slip and
frost-resistant porcelain floor tiles in their arrangement.
For example, CESAROM Garden is a collection of porcelain floor
tiles ideal for arranging both terraces and courtyards.
Exterior design with porcelain floor tiles represents the
best choice in terms of design, utility, maintenance, and durability for the
outdoor space we need to decorate. Porcelain floor tiles are preferred by
buyers because they can be applied directly to floors, making them suitable for
both indoor and outdoor use. The advantages of porcelain floor tiles are
multiple: they can be installed quickly and easily, they are durable, easy to
clean, and do not require special maintenance like other surfaces.
Types of outdoor floor tiles
Porcelain floor tiles are formed by firing ceramic plates at
very high temperatures so that they do not lose their porous texture, but only
partially melt. As a result of the high temperatures, the process called
“vitrification” occurs, resulting in a compact and very resistant
tile.
Due to its density, porcelain floor tiles can be used in
conditions of increased wear, and due to their hardness, they are resistant to
heavy traffic, being used for outdoor floors.
Unlike non-porcelain floor tiles (for indoor use), porcelain
floor tiles can be used for outdoor spaces.
Most often, these types of renovations are done in the
summer, and many simply forget to consider temperature variations when choosing
materials. Given that in Romania, during winter, temperatures drop even below
-15 degrees Celsius, it is advisable to choose models of tiles that are
resistant to freezing for outdoor spaces.
Usually, porcelain floor tiles are frost-resistant, making
them the most recommended type of tile for outdoor spaces, such as terraces or
balconies.
Other types of outdoor flooring
Concrete flooring is one of the most affordable options when
it comes to outdoor design. It is durable and wear-resistant. Thus, if you park
your car directly in the yard or have heavy traffic in the yard, concrete
flooring can be an ideal option.
Decorative gravel flooring is also a very good option for
outdoor design. Gravel has a relatively affordable price and comes in various
models and colors, making it almost impossible not to find something to your
liking. Using this type of design does not require special maintenance
conditions and can be placed anywhere, with a modern visual effect.
If you want an elegant and always fashionable material, you
should know that there is wood flooring for the outdoors, specially built for
maximum durability and a refined appearance. Maintaining wood is very simple.
It is cleaned exactly like interior parquet, but it needs to be lacquered more
often than interior parquet to prevent it from deteriorating and to maintain
its properties for as long as possible.
You can choose to finish the elements or functional areas of
the yard in accordance with the facade of the house, i.e. to opt for the same
style in the terrace or gazebo design.
At the same time, it is recommended that the construction
materials or shapes used be in harmony. The simplest and most efficient
combination can be made at the chromatic level. Thus, the exterior design must
include a palette of complementary or similar colors to that of the facade of
the house, so that the result is not tiring to the eye.