Sydney Alfresco Living ~ Hatter Tasty Recipe

Sydney Alfresco Living

5 multi-functional outdoor living room designs that inspire

A well put-together living space outside your home can make life sweeter and reap rewards if you sell.

Nov 16, 2017 1:57am

Setting up an inviting alfresco room to take your outdoor zone from ho-hum to heavenly will pay off on many levels.

Aside from delivering daily enjoyment, it will likely lift the value of your property.

"We're seeing a shift towards multi-functional outdoor areas as homeowners look to maximise their outdoor spaces for entertaining purposes, while capitalising on their investment," says landscape architect Chris Mahoney, managing director of Verdé Design Group in Brisbane.

Landscape designer Anthony Wyer (pictured) designed this living area in his sister's Sydney backyard. Marine-grade textiles stand up to the elements, while the merbau deck and copper wall panels will weather naturally. Wyer & Co designs

"Investing in professional outdoor design can add a huge amount of value. Consider how to bring warmth to your outdoor area so you can use it year-round," adds Mahoney. "Avoid cold materials like steel and concrete, and incorporate comfortable seating."

Regardless of the size of the area or your budget, a well-considered grouping of furniture and accessories in a cohesive colour palette will ensure your outdoor room registers in the style stakes. And functional appliances will make socialising a breeze.

Bohemian Outdoor Setting

JBL Designs

Designed by interior designer Judith Barrett-Lennard for a Perth family with young children, this alfresco kitchen and dining area puts practicality first.

The area runs the entire width of the house, allowing plenty of room for littlies to play while the adults relax.

Its ceiling incorporates louvres, ceiling fans and heaters for all-year comfort, while the kitchen is fully equipped with a barbecue grill, teppanyaki plate, integrated rangehood and under-bench fridge.

Vividly patterned splashback tiles incorporate the owner's favourite shades of blue, a colour theme that's been carried through the rest of the furniture and accessories.

Indoor + Outdoor

David Campbell Building

For a sydney family that loves entertaining, dcb design director helen carter drew up an airy deck directly linked to the kitchen via bifold doors.

Fitted out with a beefeater barbecue, wall-mounted TV and heaters on the ceiling, it's ideal for casual gatherings, seasonal celebrations or big-game sport broadcasts in any season.

Contemporary Firepit

Cadence & Co.

Overlooking a Sydney beach, this fireside living area by Cadence & Co provides a comfortable vantage point from which to enjoy the views.

A Paola Lenti 'Canvas' outdoor modular design from Dedece cosies up to a custom-made fire pit. The pavers are 'Lagano' stone with a flamed and brushed finish, supplied by Eco Outdoor.

Using colours that reflect your garden or its settings is a cool trick; here, the beach is interpreted in a palette of sea greens and blues.

Space Savvy Outdoor Entertainment

Techne Designs

Intended for entertaining, this melbourne courtyard by Techne Architecture+Interior Design features bifold doors that open up the full width of the space, joinery that doubles as seating, and lightweight furniture with open forms that won't block lines of sight.

"A small palette of finishes, light colours and simple, functional joinery helped achieve a sense of enlarged space within a compact plan," says Senior Designer Jonny Mitchell.

Outdoor Decking

Leonie Cownie Interiors

Realising the potential of this space under the eaves of a Perth home, interior designer Leonie Cownie drew up an outdoor kitchen/dining zone with merbau decking, seamlessly connected to the living room.

Although open on two sides, it feels private and cosy, thanks to the sheltering wall at right.

A Smeg barbecue with teppanyaki plate, built-in fridge and stainless-steel benchtop make the space highly functional for entertaining; white chairs from Mobilia continue the light-and-airy theme.

Hatter Tasty Recipe