Nature Patrol: How to Keep the Outdoors Out
Clever designs can keep insects and other pesky guests – blinding heat and freezing cold included – at bay
A nature lover you may well be, but everyone likes to be able to retreat from the less pleasant aspects of the great outdoors when they want to. Keeping your home free of buzzing insects and extremes of temperature is a vital step in creating a comfortable indoor haven. Here’s how.
Erect a shield
A screened-in verandah like this delivers the best of both worlds – the ability to enjoy the sun and outdoor views, without any buzzing or biting. Bliss. The wire panels at the base prevent dogs or children from accidentally (or on purpose!) barrelling through.
A screened-in verandah like this delivers the best of both worlds – the ability to enjoy the sun and outdoor views, without any buzzing or biting. Bliss. The wire panels at the base prevent dogs or children from accidentally (or on purpose!) barrelling through.
Do not disturb
Slapping at mosquitoes zipping about your face in the night should be reserved for an adventure in the Amazonian jungle. A mosquito net such as this one is both romantic and practical.
Slapping at mosquitoes zipping about your face in the night should be reserved for an adventure in the Amazonian jungle. A mosquito net such as this one is both romantic and practical.
KEEP OUT: SAND AND DIRT
Minimise the grit
A simple doormat – shaken out regularly – is one of the best ways to stop sand and dirt from being tracked into your home. Double the impact with a rug on the other side of the door, then make your house a shoe-free zone.
Minimise the grit
A simple doormat – shaken out regularly – is one of the best ways to stop sand and dirt from being tracked into your home. Double the impact with a rug on the other side of the door, then make your house a shoe-free zone.
KEEP OUT: HEAT
Work with the light
The best house designs take advantage of the sun during every season. Timber screening can provide the shade you need in the warmest months, but allow the sun to shine in during winter.
Work with the light
The best house designs take advantage of the sun during every season. Timber screening can provide the shade you need in the warmest months, but allow the sun to shine in during winter.
Install an awning
Strategically placed awnings not only make your home more comfortable, they can also dramatically reduce your heating and cooling costs. Simple but very effective.
Strategically placed awnings not only make your home more comfortable, they can also dramatically reduce your heating and cooling costs. Simple but very effective.
Plan ahead with plantation shutters
This room is a good example of working with nature. Plantation shutters have been installed on the windows that need it more, and the rest have been left undressed to make the most of the natural light.
This room is a good example of working with nature. Plantation shutters have been installed on the windows that need it more, and the rest have been left undressed to make the most of the natural light.
KEEP OUT: COLD
Make use of internal doors
If you’re planning a renovation, consider including doors that can create havens of warmth inside your house. If not, closing off doors to bedrooms and just controlling the temperature in areas you spend the most time, will make for a comfortable zone without the expense of heating the whole house.
Make use of internal doors
If you’re planning a renovation, consider including doors that can create havens of warmth inside your house. If not, closing off doors to bedrooms and just controlling the temperature in areas you spend the most time, will make for a comfortable zone without the expense of heating the whole house.
Choose heavy curtains
Curtains with insulated backing keep out both the light and temperature extremes when you’re snuggled up in bed.
Curtains with insulated backing keep out both the light and temperature extremes when you’re snuggled up in bed.
KEEP OUT: POSSUMS AND BIRDS
Protect your vegies
Few things are more disappointing than going out to pick greens for dinner only to find the birds or possums have already made a meal of them. This clever design allows for easy access, but guarantees your hard work is going to pay off.
TELL US MORE
What do you do at your house to keep nature in check? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining Area
10 Ways to Connect Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
Protect your vegies
Few things are more disappointing than going out to pick greens for dinner only to find the birds or possums have already made a meal of them. This clever design allows for easy access, but guarantees your hard work is going to pay off.
TELL US MORE
What do you do at your house to keep nature in check? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining Area
10 Ways to Connect Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Indoor-Outdoor: 10 Living Rooms That Cross the Line
Build in screen doors
Part of the appeal of this modern home is being able to open it up to the outdoors, but if the mosquitoes are out and about of an evening, indoor incandescent lighting serves as an invitation for them to come inside. A sliding screen door like this one is not an afterthought. If you’re putting in new sliding doors to open up your house, be sure to consider how you’re going to keep flies, mozzies and moths out. Trying to install a screen door down the track is a much more difficult challenge.