Outdoor entertaining is a staple of Australian summer. Whether you want to have mates over for a barbecue, or host a relaxed family lunch on the back deck, creating the perfect outdoor living area is the key to making the most of your backyard.
At All Bathroom Gear, our team of experts regularly work with clients to design and build premium outdoor living areas, giving clients more living space without the cost of extending the house.
In this guide, we share seven inspirational ideas to transform your outdoor living areas so you’re ready to entertain all year round.
We’re starting with one of the bigger ticket items that can really transform your outdoor living areas: a back deck. Installing a back deck or revamping an old one is a great way to extend the footprint of your home and create a comfortable, easy-to-maintain entertaining space. If you want to go all-in, add a roof or sliding doors to make it weatherproof; to keep it simple, install a basic raised platform.
Source: https://www.homestolove.com.au/balcony-and-deck-design-ideas-2458
The back deck doesn’t have to connect to your home either. If you have a large backyard, a simple garden deck like the one shown below can help to create a luxurious entertaining space away from the house, perfect for those warm summer evenings.
Source: https://www.thehappyhousie.com/10-inspiring-wooden-decks/
And if you’re tight on space, don’t worry—there are options for you too! More and more townhouse and apartment owners are converting their small back courtyards into cosy entertaining spaces by installing decks like the one pictured below.
Source: https://www.homestolove.com.au/pared-back-courtyard-garden-22516
If you want to level up your barbecue game, installing an outdoor kitchen is a great way to go. Not only will it save you countless trips back and forth from the kitchen to the barbecue, it also provides an alternative to cooking inside on those summer weeknights when even the thought of turning the oven on has you sweating.
The owners of this home have opted to keep it simple with a single bench, equipped with a barbecue, small sink and plenty of under bench storage. By making the bench from a similar material as the deck, it blends in nicely, while the white benchtop prevents the kitchen from dominating the space. And if barbecuing isn’t your thing, you could install a pizza oven instead!
Source: https://stylecurator.com.au/luxury-coastal-home-kyal-and-karas-long-jetty-home-tour/
Installing an outdoor wet bar is one of the most popular outdoor living ideas, and for good reason. Not only do you get that bit of extra bench space, but the extra sink can help with clean up (or double as an oversized ice bucket). The wet bar pictured here makes clever use of vertical space to keep the set-up compact, and has even managed to fit a small bar fridge beneath the bench. If you’re worried about storing your glassware outside, you can also choose a design with doors to protect the contents of your shelves.
Source: https://backsplash.com/bar-backsplash-stylish-and-functional-backsplashes-for-home-bars/
If you live by the beach an outdoor shower is a non-negotiable. No one likes traipsing sand all through the house. But you don’t have to live by the coast to justify one. If you have a backyard pool, an outdoor shower can add a touch of luxury while being a functional addition to your outdoor living area. The trick is to choose quality materials and keep it simple, like the owners of this home have, with one of our minimalist shower fittings.
What’s more luxurious than sinking into a warm bath with a glass of wine and gazing up at the night’s sky? Installing an outdoor bath or spa isn’t a new idea, but it’s one of the most popular outdoor living ideas for a reason. It’s a particularly good idea if you’re considering renting your house on Airbnb or a similar short-stay rental platform, and it’s a great way to make the most of a beautiful view, like the one pictured here. At All Bathroom Gear we stock a range of elegant, durable outdoor baths perfect for creating a special relaxation space. As well as installing the bath or spa, we can also help you to design the perfect space to accompany the bath to ensure you maintain that element of privacy.
It might be the opposite of a bathroom, but we reckon installing a fire pit is one of the best outdoor living ideas around. Perfect for toasting marshmallows on a cold winter’s night, or learning the art of cooking with fire, a fire pit is a simple way to add some old-school charm to your backyard. You can keep it rustic with an above-ground pit, like the one shown below, or you can go for something more luxurious and install a stone, in-ground fire pit and bench seating.
Regardless of which option you choose we recommend thinking carefully about how to position the fire pit out of the wind to minimise the chance of smoke blowing into your house (or clothesline) during winter. You’ll also need to do a little bit of landscaping to keep the ground around the pit free of flammable material and trip hazards.
Source: https://katrinaleedesigns.com/backyards-that-will-turn-you-green-with-envy/
If you have the space, a gazebo makes a great addition to the backyard that can help you to enjoy more time outdoors, no matter what the weather’s doing. While gazebos have been popular in outdoor living areas for decades, the concept has recently been revamped with a range of modern designs, like the breezy, poolside gazebo pictured here. The options are endless when it comes to installing a gazebo. If you just want a cosy reading spot, keep it simple. If you want a flash outdoor entertaining space, customise the gazebo to include an outdoor kitchen and dining space!
To find out more about how we can help transform your outdoor living areas, read more about our four-step outdoor living renovation process or talk to a team member today.
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