With clever landscaping, attractive decking or outdoor areas, fencing, or the addition of a swimming pool, you can turn your garden into an asset and an environment that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Paved or tiled areas, screens, awnings and blinds will create year-round external living spaces, and a barbeque or outdoor kitchen offers the ultimate in alfresco convenience.

Outdoor living

A well designed outdoor living area can transform a home, extending the useable living areas without extending the building’s footprint. It can provide zones for relaxation, for entertaining, and connections with nature. Designed well, outdoor living areas can be used year-round. 

Creating different outdoor areas

Often, an outdoor area will have different uses - from entertaining to gardening, eating and cooking. It’s for these reasons that it’s important to understand how an area will be used before embarking on a design or plan for your alfresco area. Once you have a clear idea of the intended uses of your outdoor living area, it’s easier to formulate a plan around its design and decor. 

Outdoor entertainment areas

Entertaining outdoors requires places for people to congregate, to sit, to chat and to engage as a group. Often, the most effective way to create a successful outdoor entertaining area is to invest in versatile outdoor furniture and different types of seating. For example, stools, chairs, tables and sofas that can be moved into different formations depending on the occasion.

Creating an enjoyable aesthetic outdoors is important, especially for entertaining areas, and this can be achieved in a multitude of ways. Often, creating a central focal point is a good way to start. Some of the most alluring alfresco spaces include a fire or water feature as the central aspect, encouraging people to congregate around them. The obvious benefit of a fire feature is the additional use it has as a heating source in the colder months.

Outdoor lighting is another important aspect of outdoor entertaining space and can change the entire feel of the area with the flick of a switch. Feature lighting can be used to illuminate parts of the surrounding landscaping or attractive trees or foliage, while another lighting can be used to indicate walkways or separate different zones within the area. 

Outdoor kitchens

Incorporating an area dedicated to outdoor cooking is part and parcel of most New Zealand alfresco areas. The classic barbecue often forms the centre of these areas, but there are various options. Freestanding pizza ovens are a popular way to define a cooking area, while more extensive built-in kitchens and sinks can provide for the more dedicated outdoor chefs. 

Decking

Decking is often an important part of a home’s outdoor space so it’s important to get it right. With so many choices and a multitude of materials, choosing the best decking for your home generally comes down to function, aesthetics and budget. From classic timber decking to composite options, each material has its own benefits, ranging from durability to colour and texture. Some materials will be more suited to different climatic conditions than others so it’s always best practice to be informed about the benefits and drawbacks of the decking material you choose to ensure it’s fit for purpose and will last, in the context of your home. 

Pools and spas

Pools and spas are a great way to enhance any outdoor area and add to the value of a home. From a small hot tub to a lap pool or a water feature, there are few limitations in terms of what’s possible. Water, like fire, often acts as a defining feature of an outdoor area, and in the case of pools, often invites relaxation and leads to the development of lounging areas. 

Gardening

The type of garden area you choose will be dependent on many things, from the amount of gardening you want to do to the desired height and colour of plants and whether or not you want to use the planting in functional ways such as creating shade or privacy. For some, edible gardens are an important part of a landscaping plan, while for other large grass areas may be the most important factor. The type of garden you choose will depend on your lifestyle and how the outdoor areas in your home are used. 

Fencing and gates

Fencing and gates are a vital part of many outdoor areas, especially in busy urban areas and for those who have pets or children. There is a multitude of options for fencing and gates, from wood or iron through to glass or concrete. The same is true for the style of operation, with options ranging from manual to highly automated gates and entry systems. Choosing the right fencing for a home is important. Like the external cladding, the fencing is often one of the first things people see when they arrive at a house. It’s a part of the property that sets the scene for the rest of the home, introducing visitors to the style and of the property from the moment they arrive. 

Outdoor showers

The outdoor shower is a sought-after luxury that can provide a unique experience and reconnection with nature in the comfort of a backyard. Privacy is paramount when designing outdoor showers and is generally the first consideration. There are many options to create a private space, from planting to specially-designed screens and roofing. Have a look at some of the options of outdoor showers.