Get ready for outdoor living this summer
New Zealanders love to entertain outdoors and as the days get longer and the evenings get warmer, now is the time to look at improving your outdoor living spaces.
CREATE INDOOR/OUTDOOR HARMONY
Choosing complementary colour palettes, plants, furniture and accessories will provide cohesiveness and a seamless journey between the two spaces. What’s on the inside of your home is really important too. Make your home feel more open by replacing heavy curtains with lighter materials, that allow more natural light to come in.
Use natural elements reminiscent of outdoor spaces such as rattan and wood when decorating indoors. Botanical prints and textiles are very popular right now so look at incorporating some by way of art prints and cushions. Use a mix of plants in your styled displays and look out for interesting pots and plant stands.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Consider how your outdoor space will be used. Will you be dining alfresco? Relaxing with a book in the daytime and a glass of vino in the evening? Or will you be using it for family and friend get-togethers? Think about the size of your dining table and providing adequate seating. Bench seats work well for extended dinner parties, while bean bags and low-level tables are good for weekend relaxation and creating cosy reading nooks. Where possible, look for modular furniture that allows you to reconfigure seating to suit each occasion.
The best outdoor furniture will withstand temperature fluctuations, wind and rain. For beach houses or those who live near the sea, choose marine grade materials that withstand salt water and offer superior corrosion resistance. Also look for fabrics that contain UV stabilisers to resist sunlight fading. Furniture that has built-in storage is a great option for storing cushions and towels, while shade umbrellas and canopies are a must for highly exposed areas.
** ENHANCE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS**
Create a comfortable and stylish ‘outdoor room’ by incorporating a sofa, rug and cushions. Similarly to indoor living areas, it’s the finishing touches that make the space. Decorate with candles, festoon lights and choose colourful or patterned tableware when entertaining.
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO HELP LIVEN UP YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS AND MAKE IT FUN AND INVITING:
PRODUCT LINKS:
Beach Umbrella | Striped Cushion | Turquoise Cushion | Festoon Lights | Outdoor Stool | Nicole Porter Plates | Menu Fire Bucket | Hanging Chair | Salad Servers | Outdoor Rug | Hanging Pots
** **
We want to hear from you
GoodHome should be an enjoyable and worthwhile place to visit filled with information that helps you to be the smartest homeowner you can be. We want to hear about anything you found useful or anything you didn’t, and anything you want to see more of that would help make this the perfect site for you - email us at goodhome@bnz.co.nz
_ _
This article is intended as a general discussion only. BNZ recommends the recipient get independent advice. The views expressed are the writer’s own and do not necessarily represent those of BNZ or its related entities.
