Imagine a space where you can enjoy your morning coffee or tea, hang out and relax with friends and family, watch TV or read a book, or cook up a meal on the grill all in the comfort of your own backyard, no matter what the season.
From sunrooms to screen rooms, patio covers to pergolas, and LifeRooms with motorized retractable screens, climate control and LED lighting, there are a variety of options to transform your backyard into a functional year-round retreat.
“March is the perfect time to start planning for these types of projects,” says Michael Reiser, CEO of Potomac Outdoor Living, based in Bethesda. “The weather is starting to warm up but the leaves are still off of the trees, and you have a clear, unobstructed view of your entire property, so you can outline and plan out your available space.”
Once you assess your area, you can determine whether you’re looking for a patio cover, a three-season screen room to protect you from the elements and insects, a fully enclosed Four Seasons sunroom, a louvered pergola with space for an outdoor kitchen, or a customized LifeRoom, with innovative, motorized retractable patio screens.
“Our goal is to create a functional living space that seamlessly extends the home into the backyard, creating a transitional living space,” says Reiser. “The planning process involves evaluating a family’s needs, such as outdoor entertaining, accessibility for older homeowners, and the integration of various features, like outdoor kitchens and inground swimming pools or Soake Pools.”
These beautifully designed outdoor spaces offer homeowners comfort with year-round flexibility. In addition, unique upgrades such as outdoor climate control, motorized screens (which offer protection from wind, rain, pollen and bugs), and outdoor kitchens add backyard customization based on homeowners’ needs.
“We have Senior Designers on staff to help homeowners determine what they want and work with them from start to finish, from the initial design to rendering a set of drawings, expediting permits, assessing topography and building the actual structure. We are a full-service design-build firm, addressing everything from outdoor living spaces to custom pool building and hardscapes, and we aim the make the process as seamless as possible for our clients,” stresses Reiser.
In addition, Potomac Outdoor Living has an 8,500 square foot showroom in Germantown, MD, so homeowners can see, touch and experience these products and envision what it would look like as part of their own home.
“When you’re making this type of investment, it’s important to thoroughly investigate all of your options,” says Reiser. “Our showroom allows homeowners to compare the various types of outdoor enclosures, choose the colors, styles and features that will best enhance their home, determine what type of technology they’re looking for in the space, etc. You’re making a huge investment in your home, and you want to create something that you’ll enjoy for years to come.”
The right structure for your home depends on your weather protection needs, shade requirements and overall intended use. The best choice depends on when and how you want to use the space.
Whether you’re looking to create a cozy family gathering space, an outdoor gourmet kitchen, a serene pool enclosure, or somewhere to simply escape the hustle and bustle of the day, a well-planned outdoor living space can provide a year-round sanctuary.
“With our personalized solutions and attention to detail, we can turn your backyard into a four-season paradise that you can enjoy all-year round,” says Reiser.
Potomac Outdoor Living
7315 Wisconsin Ave
Suite 950E, East Tower #2
Bethesda, MD 20814
Showroom:
12420 Milestone Center Dr.
Suite #175
Germantown, MD 20876
Phone: 240.730.3417