Transform your outdoor entertaining area for summer
Planning Your Outdoor Space
A beautiful yet functional outdoor space is essential for West Australian homes, in a climate where our warm summer months rival the duration of anywhere else in the world, it’s necessary to design your alfresco in a way that allows you to maximise use even on our hottest days.
Any well-designed garden will be divided into sections; many will have a pool or lounge area, perhaps a rockery and a lawn, and nearly all will have an outdoor kitchen and dining area. To help you create a luxurious outdoor entertaining area we’ve put together the following ideas.
Designing a luxurious outdoor entertaining area
The first thing to consider is how your indoor and outdoor spaces will flow, a goal in luxury home and garden design is to create a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living, where the luxurious finishes inside your home extend to a poolside dining area.
Next, you’ll need to decide your design style, perhaps a country-style verandah with white accents will best suit your home. Or maybe you lean towards a bohemian-inspired design with natural textures and timber-style elements. Plants and greenery are a wonderful way to soften harsh edges and are essential components of creating an outdoor living space that resembles a luxurious hotel.
Make the most of your outdoor space this summer
Australia’s warm summer months and high UV levels make shade cover essential when you’re entertaining guests. You’ll need shade cover across zones where people will spend most of their time, most commonly in kitchen and dining areas. How you choose to integrate shade cover will ultimately depend on your chosen alfresco design.
Aluminium Louvered shutters are a type of sleek outdoor blind and are a popular choice for outdoor areas; they can be easily manoeuvred depending on the time of day. Louvered shutters are a low-maintenance option that, once installed, have the added benefit of blocking wind during our cooler months, ensuring your alfresco can be enjoyed year-round.
Pergolas, laden with foliage, often with climbing plant varieties, are a popular choice, serving not only as a sunblock, but you’ll benefit from beautiful blooms in spring-summer, depending on your chosen greenery.
Having experienced the extremities of an Australian summer we know it’s not just about shade cover, keeping your guests cool as possible during dinner parties is important. Installing outdoor ceiling fans maximises air movement and draws hot air up and away from your guests, while also standing as a luxurious decorative feature.
Next is durability; any well-designed outdoor dining area or patio will only contain elements and materials that are designed to resist damage from excessive sun exposure, such as engineered quartz or natural stone. Installing a pizza oven, BBQ and bar fridge? Consider the durability and maintenance requirements of your outdoor kitchen appliances to ensure you have a functional outdoor kitchen for years to come.
Creating an Inviting Ambiance in Outdoor Spaces
Use outdoor lighting to create a warm and inviting ambience in your outdoor space. Consider installing a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to create a cosy atmosphere. Remember to check the local fire restrictions in your area during peak summer.
Your outdoor furniture must be durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for the Australian climate. Consider the design aesthetic and style of your outdoor space when selecting furniture. Installing timber decking adds natural style and warmth to your outdoor space and can be used as a seamless extension of your different entertaining zones to create a cohesive backyard.
Elevate your alfresco with technology
If you’re looking for alfresco design ideas, don’t overlook the role of technology. Music is essential in creating an inviting space, so investing in a high-quality outdoor sound system is a must-have. It can be connected to your internal sound system, contributing to seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Dimmable lights with smartphone connectivity are a great way to further elevate your outdoor area, whether it be to control task lighting at kitchen stations or simply to match your desired aesthetic.
Looking for more inspiration or luxury alfresco ideas to create your dream backyard, contact our expert design team at (08) 6310 8888 or send an enquiry.
