Backyard Bliss: 20 Spaces You'd Refuse to Leave
When your outside zone is peaceful and packed with features, why would you ever bother going inside?
Kerryn Ramsey
26 May 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
The outdoor zone is no longer the poor cousin to the interior of the house. It’s an extension of our living space – a place to socialise, relax, entertain and retreat. These innovative ideas show why the outdoors are irresistible.
1. Lounging around
There’s nothing better than spending a long afternoon lying around on a swaying hammock. And when friends arrive, a shaded outdoor dining area can turn a quiet Saturday into a celebration. While the furniture here blends into the scenery, the pop of yellow complements the surrounding greenery beautifully.
There’s nothing better than spending a long afternoon lying around on a swaying hammock. And when friends arrive, a shaded outdoor dining area can turn a quiet Saturday into a celebration. While the furniture here blends into the scenery, the pop of yellow complements the surrounding greenery beautifully.
2. Outdoor bath
Move over, health farms – this deep freestanding bath is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by tropicals on a chocolate-tone deck, the freestanding bath is a sculptural wonder in the great outdoors.
Move over, health farms – this deep freestanding bath is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by tropicals on a chocolate-tone deck, the freestanding bath is a sculptural wonder in the great outdoors.
3. Seat of power
Even when space is at a premium, a built-in seating area is a clever device that allows four or five people to dine in comfort. The timber bench seat that’s built into the outdoor deck is seamlessly executed.
Even when space is at a premium, a built-in seating area is a clever device that allows four or five people to dine in comfort. The timber bench seat that’s built into the outdoor deck is seamlessly executed.
4. Outside kitchen
With built-in fittings, furniture and appliances, this zone offers all the necessities of a kitchen but also the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned barbie zone. The rich timber roof protects the cooking/dining/lounging area, while a natural artwork is supplied thanks to a cut-out in the wall full of greenery.
With built-in fittings, furniture and appliances, this zone offers all the necessities of a kitchen but also the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned barbie zone. The rich timber roof protects the cooking/dining/lounging area, while a natural artwork is supplied thanks to a cut-out in the wall full of greenery.
5. Layer on layer
Creating different levels in a compact backyard is a kids’ idea of heaven. It’s a chance to race up and down while the parents socialise around the table on the ground level. Working as a mini-amphitheatre, it brings an abundance of greenery to the inner city.
Creating different levels in a compact backyard is a kids’ idea of heaven. It’s a chance to race up and down while the parents socialise around the table on the ground level. Working as a mini-amphitheatre, it brings an abundance of greenery to the inner city.
6. Screen time
Once an uninviting small space, this compact courtyard is now a modern courtyard with lush plantings, large-format pavers, a built-in barbie and a custom-made decorative screen that adds vibrancy and interest.
Once an uninviting small space, this compact courtyard is now a modern courtyard with lush plantings, large-format pavers, a built-in barbie and a custom-made decorative screen that adds vibrancy and interest.
7. Tropical haven
The owners turned to the landscape company, Secret Gardens, to transform their expansive garden in Sydney’s northern peninsula into a resort-style hideaway. The silvered timber of the decking complements the environment, while the retro-inspired deckchair is in just the right spot to appreciate the lush garden.
The owners turned to the landscape company, Secret Gardens, to transform their expansive garden in Sydney’s northern peninsula into a resort-style hideaway. The silvered timber of the decking complements the environment, while the retro-inspired deckchair is in just the right spot to appreciate the lush garden.
8. Warm up
Even on the chilliest nights, this outdoor fireplace provides plenty of warmth to the outdoor lounge area. The built-in space to store logs is not only handy, it’s also visually appealing.
Even on the chilliest nights, this outdoor fireplace provides plenty of warmth to the outdoor lounge area. The built-in space to store logs is not only handy, it’s also visually appealing.
9. Beanbag bliss
The classic beanbag is one of the most comfy pieces of furniture of all time, so there’s no reason to keep it locked away inside. The latest water-resistant fabrics mean that contemporary beanbags are suitable for outside use all year long.
The classic beanbag is one of the most comfy pieces of furniture of all time, so there’s no reason to keep it locked away inside. The latest water-resistant fabrics mean that contemporary beanbags are suitable for outside use all year long.
10. Hamptons living
Bring together a melée of rattan furniture, stylish shutters and a colour palette in navy blue and pure white, and you get the classic Hamptons style. This relaxed, beach-living ambience makes the eating zone and dining area feel sophisticated and oh-so chic.
Bring together a melée of rattan furniture, stylish shutters and a colour palette in navy blue and pure white, and you get the classic Hamptons style. This relaxed, beach-living ambience makes the eating zone and dining area feel sophisticated and oh-so chic.
11. High and dry
A wide deck was converted into a functional outdoor room by installing a high awning roof. Sydney architect Danny Broe explains that the freestanding roof allows hot summer air to escape. It “gives one the feeling of being outside under the sky and yet still sheltered from the rain”, he says on his website.
A wide deck was converted into a functional outdoor room by installing a high awning roof. Sydney architect Danny Broe explains that the freestanding roof allows hot summer air to escape. It “gives one the feeling of being outside under the sky and yet still sheltered from the rain”, he says on his website.
12. Size matters
A Federation house in Sydney’s Upper North Shore has received a contemporary addition. This stunning pavilion is used year round, providing natural ventilation to cool down the space in summer and an outdoor fireplace for when the temperature drops.
A Federation house in Sydney’s Upper North Shore has received a contemporary addition. This stunning pavilion is used year round, providing natural ventilation to cool down the space in summer and an outdoor fireplace for when the temperature drops.
13. Opening time
Stylish bifold servery windows open the kitchen to the outside area, making it easy to entertain all year long. It also means that the busy cook is never left out of the conversation!
Stylish bifold servery windows open the kitchen to the outside area, making it easy to entertain all year long. It also means that the busy cook is never left out of the conversation!
14. Room with a view
The understated colour palette of this spacious outdoor zone in Perth ensures that it doesn’t override the spectacular view. The cathedral-shaped ceiling highlights the rich timber, and a row of ceiling-mounted fans are a must-have when the weather heats up.
The understated colour palette of this spacious outdoor zone in Perth ensures that it doesn’t override the spectacular view. The cathedral-shaped ceiling highlights the rich timber, and a row of ceiling-mounted fans are a must-have when the weather heats up.
15. Central courtyard
Blurring the lines between interior and exterior, the living area opens out to the luscious tropical garden. This makes the space an ideal entertaining area, whether it’s for an intimate soiree or a large party.
Blurring the lines between interior and exterior, the living area opens out to the luscious tropical garden. This makes the space an ideal entertaining area, whether it’s for an intimate soiree or a large party.
16. Meet the neighbours
This mid-century home, owned by Australia’s bedlinen queen Tracie Ellis, converted a neglected front yard into an inviting social spot – a perfect place to get to know the neighbours and hang with school friends.
This mid-century home, owned by Australia’s bedlinen queen Tracie Ellis, converted a neglected front yard into an inviting social spot – a perfect place to get to know the neighbours and hang with school friends.
17. Under cover
This stylish awning reduces the temperature and blocks harmful UV rays in summer. Its adjustable louvred roof is angled to admit light and air, making it inviting even in cooler months. When the weather turns really bad, the louvres can be shut tight to keep out the rain.
This stylish awning reduces the temperature and blocks harmful UV rays in summer. Its adjustable louvred roof is angled to admit light and air, making it inviting even in cooler months. When the weather turns really bad, the louvres can be shut tight to keep out the rain.
18. Bright idea
Outdoor lighting has come a long way since the old days of fluorescent tubes bright enough to blind. Now luxury pendants work as a focal point and the soft illumination creates an intimate mood.
Outdoor lighting has come a long way since the old days of fluorescent tubes bright enough to blind. Now luxury pendants work as a focal point and the soft illumination creates an intimate mood.
19. Water feature
Surrounded by natural timber, this backyard uses a rock garden with a tall water feature. The bubbling sound brings tranquility to the Zen-like space, while clever lighting plays across the falling water to create shadow and light.
Surrounded by natural timber, this backyard uses a rock garden with a tall water feature. The bubbling sound brings tranquility to the Zen-like space, while clever lighting plays across the falling water to create shadow and light.
20. Fire it up
There’s no reason to stay inside all winter long – a linear fire pit works effectively day or night. This handy device makes for cosy dinner parties or family get-togethers.
TELL US
Which outdoor space in this Ideabook inspires you the most? We’d love to know! Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
There’s no reason to stay inside all winter long – a linear fire pit works effectively day or night. This handy device makes for cosy dinner parties or family get-togethers.
TELL US
Which outdoor space in this Ideabook inspires you the most? We’d love to know! Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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I agree Karin - surely the appeal of being outside, is to surround oneself with the sights, smells and sounds of nature - not flash furniture and OTT outdoor kitchens! I've always thought that those are just to impress the neighbours - especially those of us whose regular kitchens are more prosaic ..... besides, food tastes just as good cooked on an old fashioned charcoal BBQ (some might say it tastes even better! )