Living in Florida comes with many perks: a fairly mild climate,
hundreds of miles of shore access, plenty of natural habitats for wildlife,
and architecture that is designed for kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying
everything the Sunshine State has to offer.
A great way to
ensure that you are getting the most out of your home in Florida is to
maximize your lanai space, which comes standard with many homes. What is a
lanai? Simply put, it’s an outdoor patio, typically covered. It can be
open-air or enclosed with screens over wide windows. A lanai serves as an
extension of your living room, and in Florida homes, it is perfect for
entertaining, relaxing, or even dining.
Here are five ideas
for making the most of your Florida
lanai:
Turn it into a breakfast
nook.
Get out and enjoy your lanai during
the coolest part of the day in Florida! Turn your lanai into a breakfast nook
that’s perfect for kicking back with a copy of the local paper and a cup of
fresh squeezed Florida orange juice. Place a plush rug under a seating area,
add some decorative elements, and indulge in your morning coffee while your
feet also enjoy a special treat.
Go
green.
Incorporate Pantone’s color of the
year, greenery, by not only selecting some design elements that have hints of
this color, but by incorporating lots and lots of live plants. Trees, air
purifiers, ivy, vines, roses, orchids… you name it, it can probably grow on
your Florida lanai. The more greenery on your lanai, the
better!
Consider some
upgrades.
Stucco walls and vinyl siding are
fine for a starter lanai, but if you really want to turn yours into something
special, consider upgrading to a type of material that suits your home’s
aesthetic. Rejuvenating the color can also do wonders and go a long way
toward making your lanai your own. You could also opt to have the walls
removed entirely, turning your open air patio into a veranda. If inclement
weather or fear of pests makes the thought of taking away the walls unsavory,
then consider upgrading the ceiling with some lazy leaf fans, or other
stylistic elements, that will help to move the air throughout the
space.
Think
thematically.
Do you dream of a tropical
jungle? Turn your lanai into an at-home version of your dream vacation
destination, with vibrant colors and natural, organic elements like driftwood
or shells. Make your lanai a proper “surf shack” style slice of
paradise right in your backyard, complete with bright colors and some coconut
shell accents.
Or, perhaps an English tea room is more your
style. In that case, invest in as many fresh flowers as you can possibly
find, including lots of tea roses and pale pastels. Get some porcelain pieces
to use as display items, and start collecting ceramic
teapots.
Whatever the use you decide on for your lanai,
giving it some bright plants, a decorative ceiling or walls, and a theme will
help turn into a one-of-a-kind place for relaxation in your home.
