Home Innovations Display Centre

Design Tips for an Outdoor Room

As a person who has lived the majority of their life in the cold northerly climate of Ireland, it still never ceases to amaze me the range of outdoor options available in this lucky country.

Australian outdoor living is a far cry from the unimaginative concrete slabs and plastic outdoor furniture of my homeland. It still strikes me as foreign to find a dedicated covered area that can only be described as an outdoor living/dining room. Since coming to Australia and now working at Home Innovations with Andrew Gorman, General Manager/Builder has opened my eyes up to so many outdoor innovations.

We've put together this helpful guide for you to assist with all of your outdoor projects.

Where to Start?
Creating a truly functional and relaxing room for outdoor living is now much the same of planning your indoor rooms, it requires careful planning and yes that means doing your homework. You will need to consider architectural style, colour harmony, traffic flow, space requirements and comfort while not forgetting about privacy and creating shelter from the sun, rain & wind.

Determine the size and layout of your outdoor space.
This will greatly depend on what activities you want to accommodate for & the size of your property. Small or large you'll want to create zones for separate various activities - such as cooking, conversation and relaxation-while allowing for good traffic flow throughout the space. When situating your outdoor room, also consider the natural elements such as prevailing winds and sun orientation.

Complement your home's architectural style.
The patterns and colours possible with decorative concrete are unlimited. Narrow down the options by choosing a design scheme that harmonizes with your home and landscape and echoes the design of your indoor rooms.

Create a room with a view.
Select your style of seating area(s) to overlook flowerbeds, water features and other attractive scenery.

Consider your privacy.
Your outdoor room won't have walls, so if privacy and noise are concerns, you'll need to consider either a fence or tall landscaping plants between you and the neighbours. For design continuity, consider installing a type of fence screening or screenboards for an alternative decorative option that complements your concrete patio.

Consider convenience.
Your outdoor room should be easily accessible from the house, with food preparation areas located near your indoor kitchen to reduce trips back and forth. Also keep in mind power and water.

Provide a sheltered retreat.
Awnings, umbrellas, gazebos, and pergolas supported by decorative concrete columns are all ways to shelter your outdoor guests from the weather while creating your own sanctuary.

Take it in stages.
If you're on a tight budget, you can build your outdoor room in stages, starting with a decorative concrete patio or perhaps stainless steel countertop for serving food. You can install other features later, such as an outdoor fireplace, a decorative water feature, landscaping and lighting.

Get help pulling it all together.
Work with a landscape designer/architect and decorative concrete contractor to make your design ideas reality. These professionals can help you plan an outdoor room that matches your budget, aesthetic and functional requirements.

The best of Irish luck with your project!
Georgina Fox

HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;

Accolade Screens

Aussie Bladda Tank

Camerons Blinds & Awnings

Cultured Stone

Envirtech Australia

Glosswood

Le Panyol

Lifestone Paving

Limestone Australia

Low Key Constructions

Mountain Timber Products

Omnicrete

Phoenix Screens, Fencing, Gates & Safety Rail

Rick’s Home Improvements

Rigging Dimensions

Roof Extenda Bracket

Screenboards - Timber screens

Smart Grass

Solomit Brush Fencing & Strawboards

Stone & Tile Centre

Stratco | Lifestyle Constructions

Versatile Landscape Construction