Alfresco Design Tips
As soon as there’s a hint of Summer in the air, it’s hard not to start dreaming about long, lazy nights outside, relaxing with a drink and enjoying a meal with family and friends as you watch the kids play in the backyard. Modern home designs often include a covered, beautifully designed alfresco as an extension of the living space for true indoor/outdoor living. Whether you’re building your home now and need a little alfresco style inspiration, or you just want to spruce up your existing outdoor space for the warmer months, we’ve got you covered with a round up of alfresco styles and design tips to help you get your outdoor space sorted just in time for summer!
Décor and Seating
There are a wealth of décor options outdoor spaces, enabling home owners to style their alfresco in keeping with the overall interior decor of their home. Pavers, polished concrete and timber flooring are all durable and on-trend options that will complement the style of your home, creating a seamless décor theme inside and out. Choosing seating that’s comfortable, weather-resistant and doesn’t crowd the space is vital, as well as selecting outdoor rugs, lighting and accent furniture to complete the look and feel.
Indoor/Outdoor Living
Creating an alfresco that’s ultimately another room in your home is key, and ensuring your floor plan includes the alfresco as a space directly off the open-plan living area will give your home that seamless indoor/outdoor living feel. Incorporating large sliding or stacker doors that span the length of the alfresco will give the space a wide-open feel, and adding furniture that’s in keeping with the style of your indoor living spaces will enhance the feel of an outdoor room.
Heating and Cooling
Modern alfresco spaces can now be used most of the year, with options for installing both heating and cooling when you build your new home. Talk to your builder when you design this space and think about including a gas fireplace for the cooler months. If the alfresco is well shielded from the weather, a fireplace will give the space a cosy feel in autumn and winter meaning you can use it year-round. Installing ceiling fans for summer will make the area comfortable even on the hottest days, allowing you to maximise your usage of the space.
Outdoor Dining
The main benefit to a beautiful alfresco is being able to enjoy meals outside with family and friends. If the space allows it, install benches with a sink, a small bar fridge and cupboard space to store outdoor servingware, and incorporate a barbecue or pizza oven so you can make the space perfect for food prep and cooking while you entertain!
The days of having a simple, timber deck as your outdoor space are no more. There are so many ways to create a beautiful alfresco that creates a seamless flow of space from indoors to outdoors in your new home, creating a space that’s functional as well as being a comfortable and stylish place to spend time throughout the year. For more home design ideas and inspiration, visit the Hotondo Homes website today.
