• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Top Bar Section

Top contact info
Talmadge Construction Design • Build • Remodel 831.689.9133
Talmadge Construction Talmadge Construction
  • Services
    • Kitchen Remodeling
    • Bathroom Remodeling
    • Whole House Remodeling
    • Outdoor Living Construction
    • Deck Remodeling & Repair
    • New Construction
    • Passive House Building & Design
    • Green Building & Design
    • Universal Design / Age in Place
  • Our Work
    • View Our Portfolio
    • Video Portfolio
  • About Us
    • About Talmadge
    • Our Team
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Community Involvement
    • Design-Build Benefits
    • Design-Build Process
    • Careers
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Main Slider Image Section

Blog Image

You are here: Home / Planning a Remodel / Considerations for Designing and Building an Outdoor Living Space for Your Santa Cruz County Oceanfront Property

Considerations for Designing and Building an Outdoor Living Space for Your Santa Cruz County Oceanfront Property

February 3, 2022 by Talmadge Construction Leave a Comment

Considerations for Designing and Building an Outdoor Living Space for Your Santa Cruz County Oceanfront Property
You live on the ocean for a reason—you enjoy the sand, surf, and general well-being that comes from being outdoors. And, if you haven’t already upgraded your outdoor living space, it might be on your “to do” list for this year. But before you get started, here are a few factors to consider when it comes to choosing designs and materials that will withstand the elements particular to oceanfront property.
 

Benefits of an Outdoor Living Space

open air natural deck
Time spent outdoors improves mental and physical health. For example, using your distance vision after looking at computer screens all day exercises your eyes and protects them from early damage. Vitamin D from the sun improves immune systems. And gazing at nature improves mental health overall.

But more than our minds and bodies, improving an outdoor living space adds value to your home. And according to Remodeling’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners who add an outdoor deck to their home recoup from 63.2-65.8 percent of their investment.

A few other benefits of outdoor living include:

  • Increased living space
  • Additional entertainment options for both day and evening gatherings
  • Outdoor dining is less work when cooking on a grill
  • Exercise space for yoga, weight lifting, or swimming

 

Popular Outdoor Living Design Features

Beautiful outdoor living area with pool
Anything is possible when it comes to outdoor living design. No matter what type of living area you want to add, you can do it and add to your gorgeous water views. And when you partner with a design-build professional, they are prepared to offer suggestions proven to work for your oceanside property. Here are some possibilities.

Pool/Spa

Is seawater too cold for you? Maybe your beach isn’t the safest place to swim, particularly for children. You have the perfect place for exercise and relaxation when adding a pool to your outdoor living space. A backyard pool stays as warm as you like and can be deep enough for diving practice. Include a patio for sunbathing and lighting for that midnight swim.

Outdoor Kitchen/Bar

Let’s eat. Trending outdoor kitchens include more than a charcoal grill and picnic table. A gas grill with side burners, mini-fridge, stainless steel or natural stone food prep area, sink, and storage turn your backyard into a culinary dream come true. Add a bar, stools, and other dining options for the perfect backyard experience.

Outdoor Pizza Oven

Outdoor pizza ovens are family-friendly, easy to install, and come in several designs. From in-cabinet or tabletop gas ovens to wood-fired brick ovens, pizza is happening in Santa Cruz County. And nothing tastes like a pizza cooked on a hot stone oven floor.

Ambient Lighting

Keep your outdoor living area safe and functional at night with the addition of lighting. From Edison bulbs to tree and shrub uplighting, the options are endless. Work with a professional lighting designer to make the most of light layering in your outdoor living area.

Custom Fireplace

Fire is the universal language of warmth and storytelling. And adding fire to your backyard is easy, whether you want a stone fireplace at the end of a pavilion or a firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Include family and friends, a guitar, and a few old songs for a memorable evening.

Hidden Heaters

If fire makes you nervous, consider a gas fireplace or add hidden heaters to your outdoor living space. Outdoor heaters can be movable or stationary. And, their warmth will encourage you to use the area more often, all year long.

pool fountain pondWater Features

From fountains to ponds, water brings a sense of calm to any backyard. A few options include:

  • A water wall
  • Fountain
  • Birdbath
  • Koi pond
  • A garden creek
  • Wading pool
  • Rain chains

Outdoor Showers

After a volleyball game on the beach, or cooling off in the ocean, who wants to go in sweaty and covered in sand? Rinse off in an outdoor shower to save the clean-up in your home. Outdoor showers make the perfect place to bathe your pup and rinse the sand from beach toys, too.

Hardscape/Landscape

A professional landscape designer will be able to look at your yard, take your dreams, and create the perfect space using patio pavers, stone walkways, floating decks, and zone-friendly plantings. The ideal balance of hardscape, landscape, and lawn brings a peaceful presence to any backyard setting.

Connect Inside and Out

Movable glass walls and pass-through windows eliminate barriers between the indoors and out. Their expansive design allows unobstructed views of the ocean when you’re indoors. And, when the walls are open, guests have a hard time telling when they stepped outside.

 

Waterfront-Friendly Outdoor Living Materials


When designing your living space outdoors, include materials created to withstand the harsh elements that come with oceanfront living. Not all fabrics, metals, or other hard surfaces are up to this challenge. Consulting with a professional design-build team, you’ll receive recommendations on materials that will last for years to come. Here are a few examples.

Hardscape

The portion of your yard that isn’t grass or shrubs is a hardscape. For walkways, the patio, or mulch, go with porous materials. Hard materials like asphalt and concrete cause water runoff that pollutes the waterways. More eco-friendly, porous materials include gravel, brick, and permeable patio pavers.

Windows

When creating an outdoor living space adjacent to your home, consider windows and folding walls that provide a seamless transition from inside to out. Also, aluminum-clad windows are durable and require little maintenance. Constructed of wood, they are wrapped in a protective exterior layer of aluminum.

Outdoor Kitchen Fixtures

Protect your investment in an outdoor kitchen by choosing components made to last. Danver creates stainless steel outdoor kitchen components your design-build team can finish out to your specifications. Their outdoor cabinets include:

  • 100 percent 304- or 316-grade stainless steel
  • Powder coat finishes with a 7-year warranty
  • Lifetime warranty on all outdoor cabinets
  • Self-closing drawers with double-wall constructions
  • Made-to-order custom fit for any manufacturer’s appliances


Oceanfront homes are a rare commodity in our community. That’s why Talmadge Construction strives to preserve these homes through innovative, eco-friendly designs that fit the homeowners’ lifestyle changes.

As an involved member of the Santa Cruz County community, Talmadge has earned its reputation for integrity. They believe in giving back through neighborhood involvement and are strong education supporters. When you partner with Talmadge, you directly contribute to supporting education in the community.

You’ll also find that Talmadge Construction provides consistent and straightforward communication to their homeowners, as they have for 40 years. And their clear and effective processes create an enjoyable remodeling experience for an exceptional value.

To see some of Talmadge’s work, check out their impressive kitchen, bath, and whole-house remodels portfolio. When you find something you like, feel free to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Planning a Remodel

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Send Us Your Resume

  • Upload your resume below (*required).
    Accepted formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf
    Maximum file size: 1MB
    Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 1 MB.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Age in Place Ebook

Testimonials

Josephine C., Santa Cruz

“I appreciate the extra effort you and your workers took to meet our accommodations while living through a remodel.”

—Josephine C., Santa Cruz

Kathleen A., Santa Cruz

“I got what I wanted for the price I wanted.”

—Kathleen A., Santa Cruz

Melanie Larson

“On behalf of the members and friends of Christ Lutheran Church of Aptos, I would like to thank you and the members of Santa Cruz Rotary, Sunrise and Aptos/Capitola for all that you have done to help build the fence for the Aptos Community Garden for low income people. You will be receiving a more formal thank you for your efforts. We are so grateful for your help.”

—Melanie Larson

George S., Watsonville

“Overall best construction experience we ever had.”

—George S., Watsonville

Dennis E., Watsonville

“…He has a great attitude that nearly anything is possible. Jeff surrounds himself with good people but his greatest asset is himself. He can keep a project going without appearing pushy. And the quality control is excellent…”

—Dennis E., Watsonville

Catherine D., Scotts Valley

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Talmadge Construction, Inc. Jeff went far beyond the call of duty to accommodate us and to maintain an open dialogue to foster a relationship of trust and honesty. Talmadge Construction clearly takes pride in their work and we feel fortunate to have had them build our home.”

—Catherine D., Scotts Valley

Nancy

“I want to THANK YOU for the many ways you supported me – and most importantly CASA and our vision for building young lives.

I hope you feel great pride & satisfaction with the completion of your rather HUGE undertaking – a permanent home for CASA. You were an amazing, kind, HARD WORKING leader during all of it! Sometimes Allie & I would look at each other & just PRAISE your name!! Now CASA and “our” children belong to the entire community – we have insured that.

And THANK YOU for always stepping up for help building, hauling, finding free spaces, running committees, opening our beautiful home… and more!”

—Nancy

Sandy & Nick H., Santa Cruz

“We want to tell you how much we are enjoying our beautiful new bathroom. It is beyond our expectations! We also want to tell you what a pleasure it was working with you and your company.” Read more…

—Sandy & Nick H., Santa Cruz

Duncan H., Santa Cruz

“We will certainly call you again when we need more work done. Thank you.”

—Duncan H., Santa Cruz

Tracy

“Thank you sooooo much for organizing all the work at Camp Harmon!! You guys did an amazing job! Ive never seen such a project work like clockwork.

Thank you again!”

—Tracy

Rachel H., Santa Cruz

“The story I like to tell about Jeff is we had a warranty deficiency on something on our remodel. It’s been two years since they did the remodel, but they came out and fixed it. That shows me someone who wants my business again, and wants my referral.”

—Rachel H., Santa Cruz

Angela C.

“Thank you for taking such good care of our house. Your diligence and attention to superior customer service is greatly appreciated. Of course, I knew that when I chose your team for the project in the first place.”

—Angela C.

Jean B., Santa Cruz

“We heard numerous horror stories about remodels but happily we experienced none of them with you, your staff or your contractors. Great job all around. We’ll be contacting you again to remodel our bathrooms when we’re ready.”

—Jean B., Santa Cruz

Categories

  • Our Work
    • Aging in Place
    • Bathroom Remodels
    • Commercial Design
    • Decks & Hardscapes
    • Kitchen Remodels
    • Living Space Remodels
    • Passive Houses
    • Whole House Remodels
  • Planning a Remodel
  • Talmadge News
  • Testimonials

Footer Section 1

Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project
I'm Ready!

Footer Section 2-1

Talmadge Construction
Talmadge Construction
8070 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003

Phone: 831.689.9133

Fax: 831.689.9422

Footer Section 2-2

Footer Newsletter Sign-up Form

Sign up for our Newsletter

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Talmadge Construction, Inc., 8070 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA, 95010, http://www.talmadgeconstruction.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Footer Section 2-3

Footer Section 3-1

Talmadge Construction, Inc reviews and customer comments at GuildQuality   Crystal NARI member Construction Guild Remodeling's Big 50 PHCA Jeffrey Talmadge in Aptos, CA on Houzz

Footer Section 3-2

Follow us:
facebook   instagram      houzz   yelp
CA License #458607   |   Sitemap   |   Privacy Policy   |   Disclaimer   |   ©1999– 2022 Talmadge Construction, Inc.