Those brick panels are sure unique. do you like them? if it were my place, I might leave just a small amount but would get some timber slats up like this..

Relaxing Retro · More Info

This could stop the concrete feeling so cold, esp during winter.

or privacy screens these costed me $250/each

I do like the cladding with timber idea..I do love the brick though..if you paint it all white and do a new ceiling I think it will lift the whole place up..

I agree with Vy, lining the ceiling and painting all in a light colour will surely brighten the area up. I wonder whether it would be possible to remove just one of the larger sections of bricks? I feel that would help also, perhaps you could replace a small part of that space with timber slats, if you need privacy from your neighbours, but mainly open the new space up with a garden just outside with lovely green foliage.

The breeze blocks are beautiful and with a coat of white paint and new smooth ceiling, this will help to lighten up the space. If you wanted more light in the space, you could consider removing a portion of the bricks. If you wanted to keep the room secure, you could use a series of vertical wire cables to close off the opening. You could then grow a deciduous vine up the cables to let sun in during winter and keep out the sun during summer.

Add a new floor finish. Perhaps some large format, light grey pavers?

Also add in lots and lots of indoor plants - Make it a little garden haven!

Good luck with it!

what about some extra light with 1. solar skylights added to the ceiling (these are DIY and moveable so you can try different positions for best affect) and 2. weatherproof external walls with sheets of transluscent lazerlite over a timber frame or, better still, keep the stylish original breeze blocks and sheet over them!!

Breeze blocks are back in fashion, keep them. I would decorate in MCM or 70s style in that space and use it for lounging in the cool out of the heat. Keep all the furniture designs solid, no point in filigree design, it will get lost.

I don't mind the breeze blocks at all, you're in the right climate for them, which is presumably why they're there in the first place. As others have mentioned, try to brighten and lighten things up - those dark tiles/pavers are just sucking what light gets in back out again. Until you can dream up an alternative, the cheapest option would be to simply paint them, or even lay down some large light-coloured outddor mats or carpets.

Fixing that ceiling will make a big difference too, a smooth all-white will allow light to travel - at the moment the dark rafters are pulling the roof space down. Can you add a large mirror somewhere to bounce light back into the room? Add a couple of couches and/or table and chairs, throw in a few potted plants, hang a few moody pendant lights in useful places and you've got yourself an amazing space.

Good luck, and post pics when you're done, I would love to see what you do with that great space.

Oh, and get rid of the strip lights...

I haven't painted floor tiles before, but anything is possible. I have just googled, as you do :-) and not surprisingly there is a lot of emphasis put on preparation: clean, clean again, clean some more. Then sand the tiles. Then apply a primer. Then you can paint. And paint again. Then seal. Seal again. Maybe even seal again.

It would be a lot of work, but well worth it if it means getting some use out of a great space.

Or cover the floor with light and bright outdoor rugs.

Why not go Moroccan Open up the back wall towards the garden a little more maybe a couple of narrow strips to allow more light , definitely do the ceiling add some interesting lights solar sounds good and some lounging furniture with colour and of course plants

I agree with Christine - embrace morrocan! Lots of white paint, colourful rugs, furniture and cushions

You can get some lovely morrocan style candle lantern thingys in Bunnies. Maybe even some cheap mozzie netting draped on the ceiling?

A great space for entertaining and would be low cost and easy to change later if you wanted to

Thinking outside the square Embrace Interiors, love your suggestion.

Funny two posters have suggested Moroccan - that was the first thing I thought when I saw those blocks - Besser Blocks btw, widely used back in the 50s and 60s. Removing some of them may not be that simple, they are concrete and because of their age adjoining blocks could crumble or chip very easily. I'd leave them as they are, for Queensland you would want the ventilation and as they are they give such a total "Moroccan" look. Definitely finish painting them, line the ceiling and change the strip lighting to fans with lights to keep it simple.

I would not attempt to paint the tiles, this is not an easy job and rarely successful, particularly in a heavy traffic area like this. Lay outdoor carpet over them or add some rugs to break up the dark. Use jewel colours in blues/aquas/greens for the Moroccan influence and to keep the room cool and fresh looking and plants - lots of plants.

To offer any meaningful advice, it would be best to know what sort of orientation this area has. We believe successful activation of this space would be dependent on whether you can get winter sun into the space, while being able to control the summer sun conditions... depending on where your place is in the country.

Matthews, in the comments they say they are in Queensland.

ecl24 - down the track you could always install plastic café blinds inside if the room got too cold in winter or there were any weatherproof issues during the wet season.

re the floor, what about garage matting tiles, as in photo attached, but lay them in a groovier pattern, perhaps a chevron or 60's pattern, if leaning towards MCM. It may not be any dearer than the cost after getting a tiler in, if laying tiles? Also, you can take them out to clean them if need to and change the look whenever you feel the need!

Hi ecl24 maybe a couple of skylights would help with the light, painting the bricks white sounds like a great idea and you could also hand some potted plants on the brick walls inside to bring the outdoors in as in a garden room

good luck essential ID

Saw this and thought of you,