Outside extra A year-round outdoor room is a must for any home

A WELL-DESIGNED OUTDOOR ROOM, FORMATTED FOR YEAR-ROUND USE, IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY HOME

IN THESE SPACE-CHALLENGED times, it makes sense to use every inch of your home – including the outdoors. Careful planning can give you an alfresco area that could deliver an additional entertaining zone, a place for family and friends to gather or just a space for some me time, whether you have a spot in mind for an update or need to create a new area from scratch. We walk you through the key steps of building an outdoor hideaway you can use whatever the season.

Sense & suitability

The first step is to consider how you want to use the outdoor space. Do you plan to entertain, map out an area to relax or perhaps find a suitable spot to house your growing plant obsession? “Your space should suit your lifestyle and needs,” says Hayley Beaden of Made by Tait. Once you’ve decided, it’s a matter of understanding what elements need to come together to make it happen. Will you need gas lines to fire up the kitchen, will you install lighting to prolong the laughter into the night, or build a fireplace to add a sense of cosiness? Some choices will be influenced by the location of the outdoor room. If you are looking to add an alfresco dining area, for example, it makes sense to position it near your indoor kitchen – in which case you may look to put in a servery or doors that can be pushed right back to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The range at Trend Windows has everything from awning windows to stackers, sliders and bi-fold doors.

Process your plans

“Depending on the size of your project and where it’s located on your property, you may need to seek council approval, which may require designs from architects or engineers,” says Paula Benneian of POD Gardens. If you are making plans to build an outdoor kitchen, mount a fireplace, install servery windows or embark on a complex build, then it could be worth enlisting the help of a professional. “Landscape designers, architects or builders can help guide you through both the design process and council approvals,” adds Paula. Ensure you check with council to see which permits and approval you will need prior to any sort of renovation. Apartment dwellers will also need to run any plans by body corporate to see if modifications are allowed; you can be asked to remove them if they don’t fit within their requirements.

“The perfect outdoor room is a space that naturally draws you in and invites you to relax and enjoy all the elements that being inside can’t offer – air, sunlight and nature” ~ Matt Hook, Outdoor Establishments

The delights of decorating

Maintaining a cohesive design with your interiors will help to create a seamless extension of the home. “Look to your indoors for inspiration and use complementary elements to blur the lines between in and out,” says Paula. Furnishing with the right pieces and materials will actually invite and encourage you to make the most of your alfresco zone. Outdoor living or dining settings are a must-have, but the selection is crucial. “Too small and it looks lost, but too big and you’ll have no room to move,” says Paula. “Allow at least 1.2m of space around the table to allow seats to slide back and give access.” Measure your space carefully before you hit the shops and, as ever with big pieces, buy the best you can afford; even an undercover space will be open in some way, shape or form to the elements, so tough materials are a must.

Access all areas

To ensure your outdoor room is suitable for all seasons and various times of the day, protection is important. Consider fixed awnings that can be retracted either manually or automatically; take a look at Luxaflex’s outdoor collection for overhead awnings to suit virtually any size and style of space. A more exposed zone might require extra screening to protect from the elements. “Drop-down blinds are ideal for changing conditions,” says Matt Hook of Outdoor Establishments. Good lighting will extend the use of your space well into the evenings – especially during the shorter days – so consider engaging the help of an expert to formulate a lighting plan specifically for your outdoor zone. Beacon Lighting offers this service for a fee that’s redeemable against purchases. Finally, it’s important to be cosy. “Strip heaters or fire pits are great for keeping the warmth in,” adds Matt.

“When it comes to purchasing pieces for your outdoor space, follow the rule ‘Buy once, buy well’ ” ~ Hayley Beaden, Made by Tait

MONEY MATTERS

Before you get too carried away with your design ideas, it’s important to have a firm budget in place. Be realistic and upfront, especially with yourself and your architect or landscape designer. “The budget is a key consideration when forming the brief for a project and can dramatically vary the finished look and feel of the space,” says Matt. “There are ways to be smart about your spending though. Choose quality, but be selective where money is spent – the most expensive floor tile is not going to improve the layout or functionality of the space.”

EXPERT INSIGHT

“Investing in high-quality materials which are well suited to the environment is crucial to ensuring you get the most out of your outdoor products,” explains Made by Tait’s Hayley Beaden. “Look for UV stability, corrosion resistance and structural durability.”