Inside Out: 20 Outdoor Entertaining Zones to Inspire You
Take your guests straight to the 'good room' of the house – that sensational outdoor entertainment area
Outdoor rooms integrate the comfort and style of the inside of the house with the beauty of the great outdoors. An ideal place to entertain, you can spend the chilly winter months by the pool near a cosy outdoor fireplace or beat the heat under an open-air pergola entwined with luscious green crawlers. You can also enjoy the comfort of a dining room al fresco with family and friends – just add outdoor mood lighting – or cosy up in a cabana equipped with a day bed and comfy cushions when looking for a quiet reprieve with the morning paper.
Be it a verandah, small balcony or a sprawling backyard, outdoor rooms can come in any shape, space and style and are perfectly matched to entertaining al fresco. Take a look at the gorgeous rooms below – you might find yourself surprised at what you can do with your outdoor space …
Be it a verandah, small balcony or a sprawling backyard, outdoor rooms can come in any shape, space and style and are perfectly matched to entertaining al fresco. Take a look at the gorgeous rooms below – you might find yourself surprised at what you can do with your outdoor space …
1. A decorative architectural screen can really add a talking point to your outdoor entertaining space. This design was secured into a black powder-coated steel frame in the bulkhead. It allows sunlight to dance through the holes into the space below during the day, and becomes a beautiful overhead sculpture at night.
2. If you’re really looking for something different for your outdoor entertaining area, a professional landscape architect can truly work some magic. They will take into account your needs and lifestyle and give you options you may never have considered. The architectural artistry here creates a haven no-one would want to leave.
3. A cabana is a great idea if you are looking for a comfortable backyard living area. This grand cabana by the pool has all the comforts of indoors, but with an amazing open-air atmosphere.
4. Create an outdoor dining area for dinner parties al fresco. A trellis or pergola entwined with creeping vines and blooms, along with a series of hanging lamps, make for an open-air dining experience filled with romance.
5. Now THIS is a green wall! If you’re a bit limited in the space department, get your nature fix by turning your outside walls into living ones. Green walls not only look amazing, but they are great for our surrounding biodiversity as well. Pair with a few chairs and tables for a casual and mean-green entertaining scheme!
6. Add a bar area to your outdoor room. Home bars are a great way to socialise and are guaranteed to impress when entertaining guests into the wee small hours.
7. Adding a roof is a practical investment to most open-air spaces for, as we all know, it loves to rain when you’ve planned an event outdoors! Spice things up a bit by playing around with shapes and finishes. This tilted pergola provides a point of difference while protecting everyone from the elements.
8. Create a feature by adding interestingly-shaped decor, such as seen here with this basket-style day bed. The curved design of the day bed creates a nice contrast to the straight lines of the space.
9. Why have one cabana when you can have two? An outdoor room doesn’t need to just be in the one area – or under the one roof. Breaking up areas into specific functions but with a common theme, such as a cooking area and dining area, make for spectacular results, as shown here.
10. Adding a mirror to your outdoor area is a great way to open up a small or narrow area, as it gives the illusion of space. It’s also wonderful for making sure you’re lipstick is still on when playing hostess with the mostest.
11. Create a themed experience in your outdoor room so that every time your step outside it’s like you’re having a holiday. Themed decor, selected plantings and a thoughtful colour scheme have the ability to transport you miles away.
12. Add some outdoor artwork to your room as a feature or backdrop – a useful talking point if the conversation dries up at your next do. Just make sure the materials used are weatherproof. These welded metal plates fixed to the wall about the hearth have developed a gorgeous patina from exposure to the elements and the heat of the fire.
13. If you’re looking to make an impact, a boldly coloured feature wall can add a burst of life to any outdoor room. Go another step further by adding wall decoration such as mirrors, artwork or lighting.
14. A long high table paired with bar stools can give you an extra prep area if you’re short on space or provide a makeshift bar area for guests while you’re cooking.
15. A sunken lounge area really cosies up a poolside area – particularly when equipped with an outdoor fireplace. It’s just perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and friends as the sun goes down.
16. A serene Asian-inspired space, the lily pond framed with bamboo provides a tranquil outlook from the dining area. Adding a water element to your outdoor room is a wonderful way to provide a sense of calm to be relished at the end of the day.
17. With the right touches, a covered outdoor patio can replicate all the comfort you enjoy indoors. This patio includes a fully equipped dining area with a barbecue and exposed rustic-style timber beams, making it an inviting space to be enjoyed year round.
18. Add a fire pit to your setting and enjoy your outdoor area all year round. It will add warmth and ambience at night, while acting as a decorative feature when not in use during the day.
19. If there is a particular style you like for your interior, you can always integrate it into your outdoor space as well. This retro-styled verandah has a lot of personality. Simple touches, such as a decorative screen and metal chairs, give this space edge, while the rug and pot plants provide softness.
20. Privacy is always important when entertaining outdoors. Tiger grass, bamboo and laser-cut steel panel screens and timber battens allow this space a sense of seclusion without closing it in. Plants also help to create a buffer for noise if the party gets a little rowdy.
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