Optimising your outdoor living areas

There’s nothing more quintessentially Australian than enjoying some time outdoors when the weather begins to warm up, and there’s no better time than right now to take a look at your current outdoor space and make some changes to create a comfortable, beautiful space for your family to enjoy. 

A well-designed outdoor space can act as an extension of your home, providing a beautiful and functional space to entertain or relax. We’ve put together some of our top tips for making the most of your outdoor space this summer, whether it’s a few square metres or a sprawling oasis!

Lighting and heating

Lighting your outdoor space is all about ambience.  We love decorative festoon lights, especially when teamed up with a leafy green backdrop. Perfect for setting a festive mood with friends, and a really impactful addition if you’ve got a lower budget for your outdoor rejuvenation. 

If you’re looking to entertain all year round, a good outdoor heater is essential too- We love the Rinnai wall-mounted radiant heaters because they’re unobtrusive but will keep you and your guests toasty warm when the temperature drops.

https://www.rinnai.com.au/online/lifestyle/outdoor-radiant-heaters/medium-1800w/

Getting the furniture mix right

When you’re selecting outdoor furniture, comfort and style are key, but so is ease of cleaning. When your furniture is exposed to the elements regularly, it’s best to select something hardy that’s easy to wipe down.

We love this new range from Coco Republic, especially with the addition of a drinks trolley! A log holder is a great way to keep your fuel dry and looking sophisticated and neat if you like to gather with friends around a fire pit.

https://www.cocorepublic.com.au/malmo-outdoor-bar-trolley

https://www.cocorepublic.com.au/odessa-log-holder 

https://www.cocorepublic.com.au/2020-outdoor-catalogue 

Textile selections

Durable, hardy fabrics are a must when selecting for your outdoor space. Invest in pieces that will stand up to both wind and rain – especially in areas of high exposure. Sunbrella fabrics work beautifully for outdoor cushions and upholstery.

https://global.sunbrella.com/en-us/fabrics/recommended-uses?upholstery=1&pillows=1&pattern=&color=

A touch of greenery

As well as adding softness & interest to a space, plants are also a great way to provide shade & privacy to your outdoor area. Deciduous trees are perfect for providing shade during the warmer months, while still allowing sunlight to enter your space during the winter.

Add colour, texture and intrigue with some large pots – we love these ones from Coco Republic!

https://www.cocorepublic.com.au/julian-ribbed-concrete-planter-298

If you’re not blessed with a green thumb, there are plenty of very realistic alternatives that won’t require your attention –  we have used and fallen in love with  these artificial green walls in a number of our display homes –  they’re UV resistant and look great all year round! 

https://www.verticalgardensdirect.com.au/collections/green-wall-art-artificial-plant-disks/products/60cm-artificial-green-wall-disk-green-fields-uv-stabilised 

Our top tip? If you have a timber paling fence, painting it in a dark colour dark provides a beautiful contrasting backdrop to best compliment your greenery & flowers.

Whether you’re going for a complete overhaul or just some small but impactful changes, a little bit of preparation now will see you enjoying the warmer months outdoors.