Simple Tips to Create Beautiful & Chill Outdoor Venue
Our feelings are deceiving. That not only happens to our mental state but also how we actually “feel” physically. Before deciding how to make the venue beautiful, we could discuss “apparent temperature.”
“Apparent Temperature”
Apparent temperature is the temperature equivalent perceived by a human. It is caused by air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. In the summer of the northern hemisphere, peak sun angles occur at the solstice on June 21, but peak temperature and humidity are more likely to occur in August. (In a place like Washington, DC, the hottest month likely occurs in July.) When the humidity is high, we often use this heat index to describe how we might feel.
As you can see from NOAA’s heat index chart, the higher the environmental moisture, the hotter we humans feel. (For example, if the air temperature is 90 °F and the relative humidity level is 60%, it would feel like 100 °F to us!)
How To Create A Chill Spot?
It is crucial to have a well-ventilated space in order to reduce the humidity level in the area. With the help of shadow and shading, we can quickly create our chill venue.
Here is how to create an ideal spot:
1. Orientation
Establish northern settings to avoid sun exposure. If your outdoor seating area is adjacent to a structure, place it on the east side of it. In the northern hemisphere, a 35-foot-high mass (a barn house, for example) could create approximately 8 to 30 feet of shadow from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (See more detailed shadow study below)
2. Shading elements
There are a few other primary shading choices — deciduous trees, tents, and shading structures such as cabanas, gazebos, or loggia.
- The deciduous trees have broader and thinner leaves to cover the sunlight but also let it penetrate through the veins. Planting deciduous trees on the southern side of buildings helps block the sun during summer and allows sunshine to penetrate indoors during the cold winter.
- When choosing an outdoor tent, ensure to have an inner liner. This inner curtain not only functions as a decorative piece (to hide the tent frames) but also operates as a thermal break. You can quickly tell the temperature difference, especially using an inflated tent cover.
- It is recommended to choose a light-colored fabric for the event tent. Lighter colors reflect more solar rays and emit more heat than dark colors.
- If you have an outdoor structure, select a “cool roof.” Two attributes of roofs affect the temperature we feel inside: the roof slope and the roofing material.
- Roof slope: Low-sloped roofs are defined as no more than 2 inches rising over 12 inches; they primarily use a coating or single-ply membrane to reduce the heat influence. Steep-sloped roofs often use metal roofing, tiles, and shakes to minimize heat transfer.
- Roofing material: Choosing a higher SRI (solar reflect index) for your roof material is recommended.
Wait, How To Make It Beautiful?
Here are three simple tips to help you beautify the outdoor seating.
1. Consider draping:
As mentioned above, adding inner tent linen can give a decorative effect. It is the same as adding draping — the depth of layers created by the draping will generate a perfect ambiance for a glamorous dining experience.
2. Draw the eye up:
People often focus on the table’s centerpiece and forget it is also compelling to have an eye-catching installation hanging above. An artistic installation can draw your guests’ eyes upward, adding visual interest to the entire experience. Elevated decorative pieces ( fans, balloons, floral designs, etc.) can also free up space on the table and eliminate clutter.
3. Amplify your color scheme:
Choose a theme color to match your dining experience. Ensure that you select a harmonious color palette for your seating arrangement. Picking only one or two colors will enhance the fun spirit but not overcrowd it. There is also a psychological effect on various colors. Color can make us feel happy or sad, exhausted or relaxed. Working with natural tones and getting inspired by the nearby landscape will help you provide a calm and relaxing dining experience.
