 Options, options, options! It's that simple. Having an accessory dwelling unit on your property opens all sorts of options, including peace of mind and economic benefits as well. Before we dive in further, the definition of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a small residence or living space that shares a single-family lot with a larger, primary dwelling. An ADU may be attached or detached from the primary dwelling and is self-contained with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
ADUs are becoming more and more popular as raw land becomes more expensive and harder to find. Although the concept of ADUs may seem like a new idea, they have been around for decades. Other names you may recognize is mother-in-law apartment, granny flat, or guest house to name a few. Essentially, they are all the same, however ,building codes and zoning regulations often vary with different jurisdictions. If you have space on your property, an accessory dwelling unit may be the perfect solution to add flexibility to your lifestyle. Here are a just a few options an ADU may offer:
If you are considering an accessory dwelling for your property, the first step is to check local zoning and planning regulations. Once you decide to build, you'll wonder what took you so long! These little treasures may be your answer to help position whatever may come your way. If you need help determining if your site is a good fit for an ADU, we would love to help. Please contact us at BauerCombs & Associates, Inc., and we'll walk you through step-by-step. About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. - Landscape Architecture BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in site planning for the greater Seattle, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. With our signature sensory design methods, we create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2020 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772  Designed by BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. Landscape Architecture A well-designed outdoor kitchen will help make your outdoor dinner parties and get-togethers unforgettable! Not only will guests love coming over to your house, but you'll also enjoy hosting the party. For the perfect outdoor kitchen, please keep in mind there are many crucial design aspects. To help with your layout, here are our top three design tips:
TIP #1 EVALUATE YOUR LOCATION Begin by answering the following questions: A) Is the location near an available connection to your home utilities such as gas, electricity, and water? B) Is your location conveniently located to a backdoor entrance or within a reasonable distance from the indoor kitchen? C) Is your location protected from rain, wind, and sun concerns? If you answered no to either A, B, or C, it’s back to the drawing board! Before planning your outdoor kitchen, check to see if a permit is necessary and study your local codes (such as easements, permeable surface requirements, water restrictions, and height limits). TIP #2 DETERMINE YOUR ACTIVITY ZONES Next, categorize your outdoor kitchen activities into four zones (HCWD: hot, cold, wet, and dry). Hot Zone: Grills, cooktops, pizza ovens, fireplaces, etc. Cold Zone: Refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers, etc. Wet Zone: Sink, beverage tub, etc., plus cabinet for sink-related activities. Dry Zone: Counter space used for food prep, plus cabinets and storage space. Now that you have a good handle on your zones, determine which zones you want to install now or incorporate sometime in the future. Be sure to plan enough room for all four zones, including enough counter space for each one. The activity zones should be arranged for a smooth flow between prepping food for cooking, serving, and clean up. TIP #3 ALLOW FOR PLENTY OF COUNTER SPACE You can never have too much counter space! Plan for plenty of surface space and follow these guideline tips for areas next to grills, cooktops, pizza ovens, sinks, and refrigerators.
And that’s a wrap! Have fun and enjoy! We hope these tips provide a jump-start for your outdoor kitchen. If you need help with your project, please give us a call or schedule a phone visit meeting. We love outdoor kitchens as well! About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. Landscape Architecture BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing sensory gardens for the greater Seattle, Bellevue, Eastside areas, and across the United States. With our signature sensory design methods, we create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2020 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772  We all need a special place to escape from reality from time to time, especially now. Because access to outdoor recreation is somewhat challenging, creating your own outdoor garden get-a-way may be your best option. The good news is, creating a happy outdoor space can be as simple as setting up a folding chair and enjoying the air around you. Big or small, the key is to keep your garden simple. Before you begin, you will need to answer two questions: What do you desire, and what are you drawn to? What Do You Desire? Write down a minimum of five reasons why you want a happy outdoor space? This exercise may take a while. Really dig down and find out what you desire most and how it makes you feel. What Are You Drawn To? To find the perfect spot for your garden or sitting area, take a good look at your surroundings. What are you drawn to? Stand and pause in several different locations and select the space you feel most comfortable in and free.  Create a Sense of Arrival By establishing an entrance to your outdoor landscape space, you are creating an invisible portal that leaves your worries behind. An entry may be created with a stack of smooth river stones, carved wood sign, artistic arbor, crushed stone path, or fragrant plant. Choose what gives you the best signal to disconnect with your daily routine. A Place to Sit By placing a chair, bench, or old stump in your space, it reminds you to sit and relax and enjoy your surroundings. Many clients tell me, the more simplistic the chair is, the more connected and happier they feel. Garden Feature Having a feature to gaze at in your garden space is the fun part of the equation. Outdoor art, whimsical paving stones, or a water feature are just a few examples. Here is where you can get creative and be a bit silly if you like. Choose what makes you smile, not what you think others will approve of and like.   Add Color
Choose colors that make you feel happy. Varying shades of reds, yellow, and purple are my favorites! Here’s a tip for finding your preferred colors: Bring home a collection of paint color samples from the hardware store like Home Depot. Spread them out over a table and individually see what color provokes what type of feeling. For many people, varying shades of blue, green, and purple are calming and inviting. On the other spectrum, others enjoy more energetic colors like orange and red. As your happy space develops and evolves, always remember your initial intent. Your efforts should bring you happiness, beauty, and harmony. Good luck and enjoy! If you are seeking new ideas for your outdoor space or need a Master Landscape Plan, please contact BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. Landscape Architecture. We are here to help! About Us BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing sensory gardens in the greater Seattle, Bellevue, Eastside areas, and across the United States. With our signature sensory design methods, we create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2020 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772  We found some beauties! Uncovering big boulders on-site is always a big bonus for Susan Combs Bauer, landscape architect at BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. "With respect and gratitude, these boulder gems will be repurposed on-site to bring definition and sense of structure within the landscape.”
This Suncadia-Tumble Creek project is well underway, with completion scheduled for the fall of 2020. We are looking forward to sharing more photos as work progresses. Suncadia-Tumble Creek is a residential resort community located in the Cascade mountains between Cle Elum and Roslyn, Washington. This new residence, designed by Thielsen Architects, will be a “contemporary take on a mountain lodge with large window areas to allow maximum natural light and to capture mountain views.” The landscape, designed by BauerCombs & Associates, provides a soothing selection of natural materials, native plants, and contrasting textures. Outdoor spaces will be a series of garden rooms that visually connect interior living areas with nature outdoors. The repurposed big boulders will be nestled among native plants and serve the role of site caretaker, inviting visitors to sit, relax, and contemplate. We are excited to share more updates this spring and summer. Please check our blog for updates, or better yet, we hope to see you in Suncadia. If you are visiting during lunch time, we recommend Swiftwater Cellars in Suncadia, located on Rope Rider Dr., Cle Elum, WA. See you there! If you need a landscape architect for your residential or commercial property, we would love to help! Give us a call at (425) 496-7772, schedule a meeting, or connect with us on Facebook. About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. We are an award-winning landscape architecture and site planning firm located in beautiful North Bend, WA. We serve Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Cle Elum, Suncadia, and the greater Puget Sound area. With our signature sensory design methods, we create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. To learn more about our design style and project tips, we invite you to download our free ebook. If you would like to discuss your upcoming project, please give us a call at (425) 496-7772. Copyright © 2020 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com |
Blog ThemeBauerCombs News + Landscape Garden Design Tips with Susan. AuthorSusan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect www.bauercombs.com 
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