Western Australia is blessed with a climate that affords more sunshine than many other places around the world.
And that means our outdoor spaces really can extend our living spaces – provided they are well planned and appropriately furnished.
Image: The Modern Traditionalists featuring outdoor furniture by OISIDE
To get the most out of your space, try to allocate areas for different activities. Even a tiny patch of grass or a small garden will make the area feel calmer, cooler and greener. Avoid covering the whole area with hard surfaces.
Composite decking is a good alternative, not just because it is environmentally friendly, but also because it is far more durable and easier to maintain.
Stone, pavers, poured concrete and even crushed stone all have a place and using these in combination with decking and grass or garden will add a lot of interest to your outdoor space.
If there is no covered alfresco area, there’s no need to fret. There are plenty of creative ways to add some shelter. Portable gazebos and umbrellas are a great option and you can check out local hardware stores for some initial inspiration.
If the budget permits, consider an alfresco kitchen. Cooking outside is great for entertaining but it is also a really convenient way to cook at any time.
There are lots of materials now which are weather resistant and look incredible, so you can create a second dream kitchen that can serve you rain, hail or shine.
Image: Aveling Homes / Jason Windows
If you go to the effort of landscaping a gorgeous outdoor space, you will want to make sure it looks good, even when the sun goes down.
There’s a huge range of outdoor lighting available that can not only illuminate the space for practical reasons but can also create a gorgeous view from inside when plantings and features are lit up for effect.
Choose furniture that can facilitate relaxation, leisure and host a crowd. Lots of the available options these days would be just as at home inside as they are out.
And if you’re really an outdoors person, think about adding some heating. It will mean you get a lot more use out of the space regardless of the weather.
