Perth’s Mediterranean climate is made for outdoor living, and many homes have room for a spectacular outdoor zone. Whether you are building, renovating or just getting ready for summer, here are our top tips for getting the most out of your outdoor spaces.
A well-planned outdoor area does more than look good. It adds usable living space, gives the family room to spread out and can become the place everyone gathers – from weekend barbecues to quiet morning coffees. The key is to plan it with the same care as the rooms inside.
Connect inside and out
A seamless link between indoor and outdoor spaces means you get more out of both, whatever the weather. Generous glazing and well-chosen doors make you feel connected to the outdoors even when you are inside, and make indoor spaces look bigger.
There is a solution for every budget. Sliding doors can create a luxurious look, while bifold or stacking doors open the living area right up.
If you are building or doing a large renovation, place large windows in strategic spots so you let in plenty of light and keep that indoor-outdoor connection.
Choose easy-care flooring
For durable, good-looking and low-maintenance outdoor flooring, consider decorative concrete. It is cool underfoot, slip-resistant and needs very little upkeep.
The upfront investment can be significant, but it is a one-off cost that adds value to the home without ongoing maintenance.
Other easy-care options include natural stone or concrete pavers, outdoor porcelain tiles and composite decking. Whatever you choose, lighter colours stay cooler underfoot in a Perth summer, and a slip-resistant finish is a must around the pool.
Create a resort at home
Look to your favourite holiday destinations for inspiration. West Australians have long loved places such as Bali, where architecture is built around outdoor living, and many of those ideas work just as well at home.
Treat the pool area as another living area – it is used year round, even when it is too cold to swim. Think about how you use the space when you are not in the water, and create places to relax in comfort.
For a true resort feel, design rooms other than the living area, such as the main bedroom, to open to the outdoors too.
Plan the pool
A pool is a magnet for family and friends, and modern pools are relatively easy to maintain. If you are adding one, think about how it relates to the house and alfresco area. Doors that open from the living area to the pool make the connection obvious, and unobtrusive glass fencing keeps the view of the water clear.
Short on space? A plunge pool can bring the resort feel to even a small backyard or courtyard. Plunge pools are compact enough for smaller blocks, quicker to heat and cheaper to run and they are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Many can include a built-in spa or bench seating – and a paved surround with a cabana or covered lounge turns the whole area into an outdoor room.
Add an outdoor kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is the cherry on top, and you will be surprised how often you use it. Cooking outside also means less mess and fewer cooking smells inside.
Choose cabinetry, benchtops and appliances made for outdoor use, and plan for bench space beside the barbecue, a sink if you can fit one and storage for utensils. A covered area means you can cook outside whatever the weather.
Furnish it like a room
Furnish your outdoor space as carefully as any room inside. Modern outdoor furniture is durable and made to handle the elements.
A good outdoor dining setting is perfect for meals with family and friends, and if you have the space, an outdoor lounge gives you somewhere to relax in the shade or sun.
Finish the space with the same layers you would use inside: outdoor rugs and cushions for comfort, shade sails, umbrellas or a pergola for the hottest part of the day, and lighting and heating so the area can be used into the evening and through the cooler months.
Explore more at Home Base Design & Build Centre
Plan your visit: Browse the displays in Landscaping & Outdoors.
Learn more: Find out about the Garden Design Course.