Things to consider when creating your outdoor living areas
When envisioning your outdoor living areas, practicality is key to maximising their potential. It’s essential to consider how you’ll utilise every inch of space effectively, ensuring no area goes to waste. Collaborate closely with your builder, clearly articulating your design preferences to seamlessly integrate them into your home. Prioritising shade and shelter allows for year-round enjoyment, shielding you from harsh sunlight and unexpected showers. Incorporating greenery goes beyond traditional garden beds, exploring inventive ways to infuse nature into your outdoor oasis. From vertical gardens to plant-filled shelves, harnessing the power of greenery adds vibrancy and tranquility to your outdoor living space.
Be as practical as possible with your outdoor living area
Now we want your outdoor space to work beneficially for you, so prioritise practically where you can and utilise all the space that you can without any waste. Outdoor space can be a waste of space if it is not used properly, ask yourself what you want the space to be used for when thinking of your design. Be precise and as clear as possible when discussing design ideas with your builder so they can incorporate them as a feature of your home.
Shade and shelter for outdoor living
Give yourself and your family the chance to enjoy your outdoor living space in all weather conditions. Look to build a comfortable and effective living area that includes shade and shelter protecting you from annoying glare, bright sunshine, and rain. Shaded areas should be a priority living in this country allowing you to be comfortable in the shade during the warm weather. Covered patios can serve you well in all seasons with sailcloths, outdoor blinds, and large umbrellas as cheaper options.
Outdoor living – Gardens and Greenery
Go past your traditional garden beds and pot plants and look for different ways to incorporate greenery as you are already outside. This can help bring to life your outdoor living areas with built in plants and garden frames. Think outside the box and design vertical gardens or wall brackets with plants on shelves. Plants can be used as natural colour and bright pops of natural light can be enhanced by plant colours and their containers.
Colour palettes
If you want to create cohesiveness and a well designed feel, then it is important to choose a colour palette that works for you. Think about how colour can flow through your outdoor area and discuss with your builder some design options that match your colour scheme. Outdoor furniture and the light reflecting off your decking timber, lots of things in your outdoor area can be considered when creating your unique colour palette.
Winter warmth
Considering the Summer shade and beating the heat in the warmer weather, don’t forget about warming things up in Winter. Don’t make a part of your home just a seasonal thing, so try and design your outdoor area with your builder to suit you and your family all year round. Look into some possible heating options that suit your design vision so you can enjoy your outdoor area in colder weather. Popular heating options include patio style heaters, mini fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces.
Comfortable seating options
Yes you want to enjoy your outdoor living space but you also need to be comfortable and relaxed. Adding comfortable seating options will attract more time spent outside for friends and family. Inviting guests over will become more enjoyable as they have multiple options to sit, relax, and be more comfortable. Provide a number of different seating options without overcrowding the area. A variety of chairs, outdoor sofas, day beds, benches, outdoor lounges, and stools can be utilised when designing.
Outdoor dining and cooking
When designing your outdoor living area, be sure to think about how you will use the space for dining and cooking so you can incorporate the right equipment to facilitate this. Your builder can help you with the structure and design to include outdoor cooking and dining facilities. Gas and charcoal barbeques/grills are most popular when thinking of outdoor cooking designs along with inbuilt pizza ovens and fire pits. Outdoor fridges, sinks, benchtops, and extra storage can also be added to your design ideas.
Weatherproof furniture
Durable and weatherproof furniture is essential if you want it to last outdoors. Weatherproof materials include synthetic resin, stainless steel, plastic, timber, aluminium, and cotton canvas. Choosing outdoor furniture made from any of these materials will place you in the safe seat when decorating your outdoor living area.
Attractive lighting
It is important to make sure your spaces are well-lit within your outdoor living area. Choose lighting that will create a nice atmosphere with lights that are not too harsh. You can make your outdoor area look stunning without adding too much brightness. When it comes to outdoor lighting you can be spoilt for choice. Some popular outdoor lights include lanterns, outdoor chandeliers, downlights, solar garden lights, LED lighting implants, and tiki torches. Discuss with your builder where the best lighting options for your outdoor area can make your design feature stand out.