Is there a neglected patch in your garden that never seems to be used by anyone? It could be converted into an outdoor room with very little effort, adding another comfortable living area to your home.
The four essential elements of an outdoor room are water, natural materials, intimate spaces and comfort. Shelter is optional, and might depend on the season and the aspect of your room – ideally, it should allow plenty of winter sun, but keep out the rain and the heat of the summer sun.
Water – however you choose to feature it, water can add a peaceful, calming atmosphere in an outdoor room. The sound of a fountain can mask most noises from the outside world. It also acts as a mirror, making smaller spaces seem bigger.
Natural materials – wood, bamboo, metal, stone, linen etc. are well suited to outdoor rooms, as they contribute to a feeling of sanctuary and warmth.
Intimate spaces – there are a few ways you can create an intimate environment, such as filling the ‘room’ with beautiful flowers, or placing chairs so they welcome conversation. If your outdoor room is under a shady tree, use pots of flowers rotated from a sunnier spot (or fill the space with plants such as Impatiens, which happily flowers year round in the shade).
Comfort – comfortable furniture with welcoming fabrics can help create a space where you might kick back, relax and get away from it all. Any furniture should be as moisture-proof as possible: choose materials that resist mildew naturally, such as wrought iron and cedar, and heavy canvas.
Add lighting to extend the hours that you can enjoy your outdoor room. This might be ‘feature’ lights highlighting trees or other architectural aspects, solar garden lights to define edges and paths, or simply candles that double as insect deterrents.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. It is our pleasure being your real estate agents in Brisbane.
If you would like any assistance or advice, please feel very welcome to get in touch with our Brisbane real estate agents, Brisbane property management team, or Brisbane buyers agents.
