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From an Award Winning Outdoor Space and Outdoor Kitchen Designer, here are our best kept secrets for outdoor spaces and kitchen design.
Trite but true... begin with the end in mind. While there is a vast difference between an outdoor space/ outdoor kitchen designer and an interior designer, the concept of an overall design remains true. It is not expensive, it actually saves you money. We all understand the value of money and therefore a budget. If you start at the beginning with an overall design plan to ensure everything works together as it it should, you will spend a lot less time and money replacing and putting it all together later. At Riviera Outdoor Décor, we create designs that allow you to create your outdoor space all at once, or to build it over time as your budget allows, and still arrive at a well-planned, cohesive design for your backyard resort.
Most Importantly, if you want to get the maximum return for the investment in your outdoor space, hire a professional outdoor room/kitchen designer. A well designed outdoor space and kitchen has a higher rate of return.
The big box store does not offer the professionally trained, educated Outdoor Room Designers to guide you in selections and options to create the outdoor space that you have visualized.
An Outdoor Room/Patio Designer is specially trained to know what particular construction of a product is needed for a particular piece, for a particular spot, in an outdoor room all designed to work together and last in your space and to your taste.
Bottom line, it is really disappointing to have an outdoor room that you settle for, instead of the one you want, because you aren't made aware of all the options available to you.
When purchased from a big box store you are limited to the lack of professional expertise along with fabric and furniture that is bought in bulk, not what is needed for your outdoor/patio space- the correct scale, finish or with the correct blend of fabrics. The fabrics that are chosen are neutral so they are easy to sell and generally solid since there are no time consuming fabric repeats to correctly place. There are limited options and nothing to add interest since 'neutral' is what will sell. This, of course, is convenient for the store, but not for you. Most importantly, the products do not last as long with constant replacement being expensive!
It is the ability to add in the custom touches along with a 'bit of the unexpected' correctly applied that adds the interest in an outdoor space or kitchen. An example is the outdoor showroom for Riviera Outdoor Décor. Specifically, it is the custom pieces that blend together the twelve different finishes of the outdoor showroom.
Let's take a view of the three different zones for the outdoor showroom pictured below. You have an outdoor cabana/daybed with fire tables, family gathering area with outdoor swing, and outdoor kitchen area with marine grade outdoor cabinets. The marine grade outdoor cushions, wind resistant outdoor curtains and custom outdoor cushions in the outdoor kitchen have all been used to unify the three spaces in the outdoor showroom of Riviera Outdoor Décor. The pieces in these three areas come from at least seven different manufacturers, and yet the custom touches tie them all together seamlessly.
Make the most of your outdoor space by planning "zones" around the outdoor activities you enjoy most. Some of the most common zones are for cooking, dining, and comfortable seating for conversation. Perhaps you want your seating in the sun, or in the shade. Will you have children or grandchildren coming over? Consider a game area. Specifically, a game area for all ages. Do you like to take naps in the natural breeze? Include a full-size swing or canopy zone. Your outdoor designer can share even more ideas. The possibilities are limitless, but your space is not, so think through what features will give you the most enjoyment, before you make your first purchase.
A well-designed outdoor room with custom touches of finishes coordinating with outdoor cushions, pillows and outdoor curtains can make all the difference in an outdoor space and increase the resale value as well. 
Across the pool to family gathering area and porch swing, there is harmony in this outdoor room due to the fabrics and finishes. 
Outdoor kitchen with marine grade cabinets coordinate with the entire outdoor room with the repetition of outdoor cushions. A bit of the 'unexpected' is the upper cabinets in this outdoor kitchen to fill in the tall wall space and add to extra storage in the outdoor kitchen as well.As previously mentioned there is a vast difference between an outdoor room, outdoor kitchen designer and an interior designer. An interior designer may know just that the interior, whereas an outdoor room designer will know which material choices and construction of the piece are the correct choices to last the longest in a particular site of the outdoor room. Also, an outdoor designer can advise you how to ensure your furnishings will last in the place selected. For an outdoor room designer, there will also be continued CEUs for outdoor kitchens and the different materials. Most importantly, they are familiar with the construction and use of the materials needed to assure the client the outdoor piece will indeed last. Any piece of outdoor furniture that has poor material selection and manufacturing will rapidly deteriorate in an outdoor setting- especially a coastal setting. This is why at Riviera Outdoor Décor, we manufacture our own outdoor cushions, curtains and pillows to marine grade standards.
At Riviera Outdoor Décor, we are an international award winning outdoor room designers and engineers. Most importantly, our purpose is to bring friends and families together in outdoor spaces and kitchens to create fun times and memories that will last a lifetime. 
