Home Innovations Display Centre

Design Tips for an Outdoor Room

Bring immense and unique beauty to your backyard with a wide range of appealing outdoor projects that will inspire even the most stubborn hermit to venture out to the alluring nature beyond the door. 

Where to start
Creating a truly functional and relaxing room for outdoor living begins with deciding what designs best suit your lifestyle. Consider what constitutes the perfect outdoor living space for you and your family. Gardens, patios, kitchenettes, verandas, pools, playgrounds and fencing are just very few ideas that may turn a dreary, ignored area of space into a useful and exciting recreational location for family and visitors.

Remember to research architectural style, colour harmony, traffic flow, space requirements and comfort while not forgetting about privacy or the importance of creating shelter from the sun, rain and wind. You want to promote the best opportunities from your outdoor space to ensure an increase of both value and enjoyment to your home.

Determine the size and layout of your outdoor space
This will greatly depend on what various activities you want to accommodate for as well as the size of your property. Small or large, you'll want to create specific zones for separate activities - such as cooking, conversation, entertainment 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.

Compliment your home's architectural style
Visual appeal is vital to create a location which will be a welcome and frequently used addition to your home. The patterns and colours possible with decorative concrete, timber, stone, tiles and flora are unlimited. Narrow down the options by choosing a design scheme that harmonises 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. If your house is situated in a location where surrounding views or landscapes are particularly striking, abuse this natural appeal through your landscaping.  

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, screening 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 where you will be needing power and water to be connected throughout your outdoor space.

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.

HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;

Cultured Stone

Lifestyle Concepts & Design

Low Key Constructions

Stratco | Outdoor Living Solutions

Versatile Landscape Construction