With many of our plans featuring open plan living areas leading out to patios or decks, such as NZ163 East Cape, NZ283 Taranaki and NZ159 Whakamaru we thought let's talk outdoor living!
Now not all these ideas are just for Latitude Homes, if you're wanting to make your pre-existing home have more of an indoor-outdoor flow then read on.
CREATE AN OASIS
By using similar tones or theme from your indoor space it helps guide you out and keep the two spaces working as one. This is definitely enhanced when you have a glass sliding door leading your eyes out - making the two spaces seem as one.
Plus choosing furniture that evokes that relaxed summer vibe helps. By adding cushions to a seat or outdoor couch it gives you an easy way to add colour and even easier to swap out colours to suit trends or changes in taste.
CREATE ZONES
By creating areas within your outdoor living area it helps maximise space and create order and visual points. Use pot plants, water features or retaining walls to help create areas as well. A sunshade or form of outdoor protection can make your space useable for longer.
THINK END USE
What are you wanting this space for? BBQ's? Entertaining? Relaxing? All of the above. Consider an outdoor kitchen, either simply a built-in barbecue or go all out and get a wood fire pizza oven. Or even look into creating a fire pit, your options are almost endless.
NOT BUILDING A NEW HOME, TRY THESE FEW TIPS TO ADD IMPACT TO YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE...
- Create a vertical garden either filled with herbs, flowers or succulents - just think about sun exposure when choosing where to put it. There are some great tutorials for making vertical gardens from pallets!
- Fairy lights - especially solar ones are a great option. Either string them up or have spotlights in your garden.
- Add colourful cushions or choose some pots to add colour and points of interest in your space. Adding hanging baskets and putting lush plants in those pots can add a tropical oasis feel to your outdoor living area.
- Even just getting outdoors and pulling weeds, mulching and pruning your garden can make your place look its best, and make you want to get out there and enjoy it!