Living in the Sunshine State has so many benefits, but it can get rather bright at times! In fact, although we absolutely love the amazing weather which we enjoy here in the Sarasota area, it becomes necessary to seek out shade on a regular basis.
Whether to protect our skin, shield our eyes, or just to cool off a bit from the midday sun, shade is a coveted feature on any property. If you are looking to build a custom home in Sarasota, Siesta or Longboat Key, designing in some shady havens is a great way to fully appreciate living in paradise.
Shady Sarasota Home Design
When someone moves to Florida for the first time, they often look for homes and designs with lots of sunlight. Not surprisingly, they love open patios and huge windows, which allow for an al fresco lifestyle and copious natural light. And while we agree that those elements are awesome, we do recommend that you incorporate features which will allow for adequate shade.
- Enclose the Lanai: In this part of the country, we all use the term “lanai” in place of patio. A lanai can be open or closed, but is essentially a finished area attached to the back of our home. Lanais may just be sitting and dining areas, while many are wrapped around a pool area. When designing your home, ask your custom home builder to extend the roof of your home out over the lanai. This is an easy way to create shade – don’t forget to add a ceiling fan overhead as well! Some people also choose to completely enclose a portion of the lanai with screening or glass, in order to create a sunroom/solarium.
- Install an Awning: Electronic awnings have been around for a while, but the trick to great design is in your choice of awning material. Awnings come in fun colors and designs which can add vibrant color – or subtle sophistication – to your outdoor area. Coordinate with your patio furniture design for a cohesive, designer look. Another option for an awning-type effect is to attach canvas “shade sails” to wooden or wrought iron poles in your yard, creating a stylish, nautical effect.
- Build a Gazebo: If you have the space, building a gazebo or portico adds architectural interest and a really cool shady spot for hanging out with friends, enjoying a book, or just kicking back with a drink at the end of a long day. A vine covered trellis is also a beautiful design element, especially with a few benches placed strategically underneath – but keep in mind it will take some time for the flowers or vines to effectively create a shade cover.
- Plant Shade Trees: There may be no more beautiful way to get shade then to have a huge tree in your yard. While we all love the natural canopy which trees provide., you may need to enlist the help of an arborist before deciding on which type of tree to plant, and where to plant it. While there are many options for fast-growing Florida trees, it is important to understand both their mature root systems and canopy sizes, so as to make sure they do not damage your home as they grow. Some popular, fast-growing shade trees in this area include crape myrtle, fig, and gumbo limbo trees – the last of which is also known to withstand tropical force winds easily as well.
You may also wish to install darkening shades in the interior of your home, in order to temporarily block out strong sunlight during our harshest days. No matter your method, it is important to remember to include a shady spot into your Sarasota home design. You’ll soon realize it is one of your favorite features.
For more ideas for ways to make your Sarasota house a tropical dream home, call Lindahl Construction today.