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Outdoor Rooms

An outdoor room is a great way to enjoy the upcoming summer. It can be as simple as a deck that joins onto your house or pool area, a gazebo, or even a full room that is semi-exposed to the environment through the use of flyscreen/shadecloth and bi-fold doors. Outdoor rooms can be used for entertaining or relaxation, so it is important to take a look at your needs and design something that fits you and your family.

The new outdoor areas are being fully equipped with any combination of the following: cooking areas, furniture, lighting, water features, rock gardens, ponds, waterfalls and so forth. The humble patch of grass is making way for usable space.

To Enclose or not to Enclose

Your outdoor area can be enclosed or not enclosed, depending on your preferences. If you choose to enclose it, you will have a wider choice of floor coverings, including tiles, vinyl and timber. However, carpet is not recommended as it may be exposed to weather conditions.

If the outdoor area is not enclosed, two of the most common flooring choices are pavers and timber. Large format pavers look stylish and create a sense of space. This is especially good if you live on a smaller block.

The Right Doors

Use bi-fold doors to create a sense of space and integration between the home and the outdoors. They will also let in lots of light and provide airflow, thanks to the concertina fashion in which they open. However, bi-folds are not suitable in some situations as they can warp in certain climates or may not suit the design of your home. If this is the case, there are other options available such as floor to ceiling windows, semi-frameless windows or French doors.

Roofing

There are plenty of materials that you can use as roofing for your outdoor room. Some common materials include thatch, timber such as cedar or pine or marine-grade, Colorbond, and polycarbonate roofing. Your choice will largely depend upon the style of your existing house and where the room is located. At additional expense, it is even possible to extend your existing roof to cover the outdoor area. However, you will need an expert for this.

Lighting

Lighting is an important part of the outdoor room, especially if you plan to use it for dining and entertaining. Soft lighting is best in this situation and this can be achieved by using uplights, downlights, lamps or torches that have been strategically placed not only in the outdoor room itself but also in the surrounding garden. Harsh spotlights should be avoided as they only illuminate limited areas and throw off shadows. You could also choose to link your outdoor lighting with the lighting in your living areas so that the whole area is lit just by flicking a switch.

The Cooking Area

There are a few options available when selecting a barbecue for the outdoor area. You could simply opt to stick with a portable gas-powered barbecue, or go as complicated as a full outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen, as well as having the barbecue built into the benchtop, may also have shelving, storage and room for cooking implements. You could even have a small fridge installed underneath the countertop.

Don’t forget to consider the placement of the barbecue or cooking area. It needs to be situated in a spot that won’t be affected by any smoke that may rise from the grill.

Colour Coordinating

The key to a good outdoor room is having it colour-coordinate with the interior of the home. This could be done by matching the colour of the plants to features inside the home such as a feature wall or furniture. Alternatively, you could opt for a neutral colour scheme and tie the indoors and outdoors together using accessories such as cushions, upholstery, crockery and ornaments.

Furniture

The final element of your outdoor room is the furniture that you will use. You have a choice from a wide range of options such as outdoor furniture, couches, daybeds, floor cushions and built-in seating. Make sure you consider the space available, remembering that people using the furniture will take up more room than the furniture itself when it is not being used.

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