Take the indoors outdoors

Great outdoor rooms feel like a continuation of your home, even if they’re not attached.

Ruth Francis, design director of Forever Home Design (foreverhomedesign.com.au), says modern families like to connect and be together.

“We want to cook and be able to see everyone and join in, not to be separated.

“I receive a lot of requests to fix old-style layouts, where the kitchen doesn’t connect to the garden or there’s a deck and a kitchen, but they’re not well linked.

“Even if your outdoor room is under a pergola at the end of the garden, there are ways to connect it to your house. It could be as simple as laying pavers to lead the way and linking its design to that of your home.”

The size of your backyard and purpose of your outdoor room determines its dimensions and what’s in it.

Draw a plan and test it visually by marking it out on the floor with chalk or tape.

Or use a 3D room planning app.

“It’s important to have enough space to make your room inviting. People often build decks that are just big enough for the table and chairs with no room to walk around them comfortably,” says Ruth.

When it comes to positioning furniture, Ruth says, to be able to relax most people like to look out at natural surroundings and have their backs protected by something like a wall or fence.

“It’s a primal thing.”

Ruth Francis begins any job by asking clients three thought-provoking questions.

First of all, what do you love about your outdoor area? Secondly, what annoys you? And lastly, what’s missing from it?

“Maybe you love the morning sun, but it gets too hot in the afternoons. You enjoy looking at the trees, but not your neighbours,” Ruth explains.

The other thing to remember is that comfort comes first, just as it does inside. If your outdoor room isn’t appealing and comfy, you won’t use it. The other biggie is budget.

There are many cost-effective products available, so do your research and work out what you have to spend on each element.

You may also need to check building restrictions with your council.

You don’t have to cover your outdoor room but it will protect you from the weather and extend your alfresco lifestyle into the cooler months. There are many options for every budget.

Permanent structures

Purse-friendly choices include DIY pergola kits with powder-coated aluminium frames and polycarbonate roof panels, or aluminium pergola gazebos with sliding retractable shades.

Roof systems with adjustable open and close louvres are more expensive but also more versatile. Some have sensors signalling them to close when it rains.

The other choice is a retractable roof that moves back and forth along a lightweight tracking system.

They can also be fitted to an existing structure.

Ruth Francis says she’s even used one for a carport.

“They are often cheaper and some of them are really nicely designed.”

Blinds

Blinds attached to permanent structures or combined with awnings provide extra protection and screen out unwanted views.

They also make your room cosier in the cold.

Awnings

“Retractable awnings give you the option of sun or shade and don’t require a pergola or structure. Plus, they are easily retro-fitted,” says Ruth.

Folding arm awnings are either crank operated or motorised; the more luxurious brands’ models come with integrated heaters and lights.

When it comes to smart technology, some awnings are not only fitted with sun and wind sensors but they also work with your automation systems, so you don’t have to be home to operate them.

Shade sails and umbrellas

A shade sail instantly turns a simple table and chairs into the next best thing to an outdoor room.

For less than $100, one stable structure and a couple of posts, you can go under cover in style.

You can also buy all-weather shade sails.

Umbrellas are still a super-easy way to provide shade, particularly in small spaces.

Choose a cantilevered design that moves around with the sun.

The growing popularity of outdoor rooms has led to an avalanche of lighting options.

Where do you start?

A well-designed lighting scheme is a balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Adele Locke, director of Mint Lighting Design in Melbourne, says the first thing to note is that you need a lower level of lighting than inside.

“If your outdoor area is too brightly lit, you’ll feel like you’re on display when you want to feel relaxed. It’s possible to mix darker zones with slightly brighter areas, but generally the ambience you’re after is cocktail hour in a fantastic bar – an atmosphere that encourages a relaxing chat. Apart from cooking, there’s no real need for bright lights.

‘It’s important to get the right advice. If you’re renovating it reduces the number of decisions you have to make and ensures the best result,’ she says. If you don’t get the lighting right, then you’re less likely to want to use your outdoor room.

✔ Do consider where the light will hit in your outdoor room.

✔ Do use warm white globes, which are not as stark as cool ones.

✔ Do keep your outdoor lighting scheme similar to the one inside your house for consistency, but tone it down.

✔ Do choose lights that won’t blind you with their glare. You shouldn’t be able to see where the light is coming from. Up and down wall lights are a great option.

✔ Do your research. Even very low budget lights create a welcoming ambience. Think fairy lights twinkling in trees and festoon lights strung across the garden.

✘ Don’t place a light straight above a barbecue that has a large lid as it can cause shadows when open. Ideally the light should be between the barbecue and the cook. Wall lights work well here.

✘ Don’t use too many cheap diffused down lights as it creates an unpleasant environment. This will result in you not using the lights or your outdoor room as often as you could.

✘ Don’t have ceiling fan blades any closer than 300mm to your down lights as the fan will ‘chop up’ the light and cause strobing – after all, we want to creat a cosy cocktail bar, not a nightclub!

You don’t have to settle for the lone barbecue in a corner: as long as you have the space, budget and meet any safety requirements, you can have a fully functioning outdoor kitchen.

How you want to use your kitchen will determine the equipment and storage you’ll need: think about fridges, burners, smokers and pizza ovens.

Divide your outdoor kitchen into the same areas as an indoor kitchen: preparation, cooking and serving.

Then consider the materials to use.

Tiles on the floor can become slippery, while decking, paving and other flooring can be coated to protect it from grease and food stains.

Other safety considerations include the use of combustible materials, storage of gas bottles, ventilation and insulation between cooking equipment and timber.

It is advisable to have a professional help design and make safe your outdoor kitchen.

Heating extends the use of your outdoor room, allowing you to stay out later and longer.

And there are lots of options to choose from.

Electric radiant heaters, such as the 2400W Heatstrip Elegance ($745), featured in the above pic, are affordable, effective and economical to run.

They can be easily fixed to a wall or ceiling.

There’s also a huge range of stylish gas heaters for your patio or tabletop.

They’re mobile and don’t require a plug-in power source, which makes them a no-fuss option.

Fire pits and chimeneas are big hits at social gatherings as they provide ambiance and a different kind of outdoor experience – just add blankets, sticks and several bags of marshmallows.

You can even use your chimenea as a mini barbecue!

For the elegant look of fire without the burn, check out the gas heaters featuring glass and real flames from brands such as Decofire.