Go with the flow and blend spaces

ONCE upon a time we lived predominantly indoors in our homes. Perhaps we had a separate space, such as a patio, terrace, balcony or backyard. The outdoors was somewhere you sent the children and pets, as it was another place separated by a clear and defined border.

Now the borders of our indoor and outdoor spaces are blurred.

It makes complete sense that we would enjoy living this way, given our temperate climate, but it also adds to our footprint of living space.

We also demand convenience and amenities for our indoor and outdoor spaces. The obvious example of this is a growing demand for fully equipped outdoor kitchens, bars and media rooms.

To create a seamless flow, start by assuming your surrounding outdoor spaces are intrinsic in the overall design of your home. Incorporate colour schemes from the interior spaces out to the exterior spaces.

Lighting and flooring that flow seamlessly will also create a sense of one united space. Choose quality outdoor furniture as much as you can, including soft furnishings that are now increasingly available in weatherproof fabrics. Finally, introduce plenty of greenery in pots. Plants instantly evoke a sense of being outdoors.

A well-designed outdoor living space that connects seamlessly with the rest of the house can add value to your property and create a more spacious home.