HOW TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE ALFRESCO AREA

From mid-week family barbecues to summer parties, or simply lounging outdoors. Over time, outdoor spaces have evolved and become more sophisticated. The seamlessly integrated indoor/outdoor areas we see today, with multi-functional entertaining zones, sunken lounge areas, fire pits, motorised awnings, decks that never need staining, outdoor kitchens and ... the gas-strut window with indoor/outdoor servery. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But what does it really take?

THE 5 W’S OF ALFRESCO SPACES

To kick off planning an alfresco area that will knock your socks off (and be the envy of your friends, in a good way), you need to go through the five Ws. We’re talking about the who, the what, the where, the when and the why. We

why

Why is an alfresco area so important?

who

you need to consider who will be using the space. Will it be a family space? If so, a multi-functional area that can be reconfigured might be best for you. If it’s going to be an adult’s-only space, then a little state-of-the-heart hideaway might be in order. If it’s going to be a kids’ area, then location and soft surfaces become a bit more important. Perhaps it needs to cater for all of the above?

what

What you plan to use yours for dictates how it will be designed. Do you want an outdoor dining area? An outdoor lounge? Outdoor dance floor? Kitchen? All of the above? .

Working out what you want from an alfresco area will help you decide on the elements you need to include – things like seating, tables, lighting, a barbecue, outdoor fridge, a fire pit, shade or rain cover. After all, an outdoor space that is cleverly designed with clearly defined zones will flow seamlessly without feeling cramped. At the very least, your alfresco space should provide a connection from the inside to outside. That connection is VERY important.

where

The most important aspect to get right in these spaces is the access. It must be easily accessible from inside. A lavish deck that is tucked around the shady-side of the house with no view of the backyard or connection to the inside will not get used. I’d much prefer a humble (but accessible) little slice of alfresco action that connects to the kitchen and looks out to the yard.

when

When would you like it to be finalised?

It's very important that the outdoor area connects with the look and feel of the house. How will your internal colour scheme translate outside? Colour palette, materials, textures and styling are all important when creating this connection, so ensure you pick options for the outdoors that are cohesive with inside.

You don’t need to come up with all the ideas yourself. You can get help designing your alfresco area. Your interior designer can help creating mood boards and layouts.

Here are my top 16 ‘alfresco’ weapons.

WEAPON 1: THE OUTDOOR CONNECTOR

The ideal alfresco area should connect the indoors to the outdoors. In other words, if you have a few options as to where to put your alfresco space (front, side, back of home), first and foremost your priority should be creating a seamless flow from the main living area of the house to the outdoor space.

Where possible try positioning alfresco areas off of the kitchen at the back of a home.

WEAPON 2: UNZIP THE BACK!

You can never have too many openings – think windows and doors. The aim is to put in as many openings as you can, so chat with your structural engineer and find out what’s possible, then work out what your budget allows. This conversation needs to be had very early in the project.

WEAPON 3: INDOOR/OUTDOOR SERVERY

Don’t you just love having a bar-height place to perch in an alfresco area? Hello, holiday vibes! It’s even better when the servery runs seamlessly from inside to out.

Please don’t think that a servery has to cost a bomb; the building work is usually quite simple to execute (especially if there is already a window in that spot). If you want to save money, you can opt for a timber servery, which looks fabulous too.

WEAPON 4: GAS-STRUT G.L.O.R.Y.

Here’s why a gas-strut window is so great:

1. It offers an unobstructed view when closed, versus bi-folds, which have framework around each little window.

2. They open with ease. You literally nudge the window and it opens up like it’s motorised. But watch out, because if you make the window too tall, you might need a stool (or a tall friend) to help you close it.

3. It’s such a space saver compared to bi-folds, which stack up to one side, taking up valuable space.

4. When open, it acts as an awning and provides cover from rain.

5. Its design is inherently coastal so it brings a relaxed beachy vibe to the space.

6. It’s a bit cheaper than bi-folds.

7. A track in the servery is not needed like with bi-folds

The only real limitation when it comes to gas-strut windows is the size. I wouldn’t suggest you go much wider than 2500 mm or else the window will start to get a bit unwieldy when trying to close it. If you have an opening that wide, or wider opt for bi-folds.

WEAPON 5: BI-FOLD WINDOWS

In the world of renovating and building you’ll get to learn that anything that ‘bi-folds’ isn't cheap. Bi-fold windows are a popular choice when opening up a really wide space (perhaps too wide for a gas-strut) and they work well with a servery. But just remember they will take up valuable counter space when stacked to one side and their framework will obstruct your view more than other styles of windows when they are closed.

WEAPON 6: BI-FOLD DOORS

If you can afford bi-folds, they are definitely the crème de la crème of door openings, especially in large houses where they can stack at one end without blocking any view or access. One of the best things about bi-folds is that they really suit any style of house. Their only downside (aside from the ‘ain’t cheap’ factor) is that when closed, they will interrupt your view more than other doors with less framework, like large sliders. Bi-folds have multiple ‘leafs’ (aka doors) which, when open, are the best, but when closed, those frames can break up your view. It’s up to you which of these is more important: the vista through an open or closed window?

Also discuss with your builder what finished height the bi-fold floor track will sit at. The best tracks are recessed into the floor so they end up flush with the floor. This way, there’s nothing to step over when walking from inside to out, and less chance of stubbed toes.

WEAPON 7: FRENCH DOORS

French doors are the most affordable style of door to use in your alfresco spaces. IF you have an opening that can fit three or more French doors, just make one or two of them a fixed panel so they become kinda like French windows.

WEAPON 8: PERGOLA TO THE RESCUE!

‘If in doubt, add a pergola.’ There’s just so much to love about pergolas.

• They add dimension and depth to your home, particularly if the rear of your house is quite a flat vertical plane.

• They’re pretty and make any alfresco space look more luxe.

• They’re quick and easy to build (and paint). Landscapers, builders or carpenters can all build a pergola.

• They’re affordable.

• Pergolas suit many different styles of homes as they can be made from different materials and designed with modern or traditional rafter shapes.

• They’re perfect for training climbing plants.

• Technically, pergolas are supposed to have an open framework, but you can add a PVC roof for rain cover or perhaps a couple of bamboo mats for filtered shade.

• Pergolas don’t need to cover the full alfresco area – they look lovely when used in only part of the space as a design feature, and to signal a change in alfresco zones.

WEAPON 9: TIMBER DECK

There needs to be a hard surface where you can put down some sturdy outdoor furniture. We love a deck, and timber is an obvious go-to for those wanting a traditional-style deck. Timber is a romantic choice, but if you’re hoping to maintain a certain colour (rather than let it silver naturally) you’re going to be in for quite a bit of upkeep as it will need constant oiling and maintenance.

WEAPON 10: HARDIEDECK

HardieDeck is made from compressed fibre cement boards and there are so many good things about this brand of decking that I’m going to have to give them to you in point format:

• They’re quick and easy to build, and use way less screws than a normal timber deck.

• You can create a real timber look by using a normal timber stain on it, and the deck will look like real timber but with the durability of concrete.

• Unlike timber, HardieDeck is resistant to damage from termites and moisture.

• It’s fire-resistant, up to BAL-FZ.

• It looks coastal, fantastic if you are going for that look.

• You can use HardieDeck around a pool.

• You can paint a HardieDeck any colour under the sun (just make sure you use specialist paving paint).

• HardieDeck is extremely sturdy underfoot – in fact it feels like you’ve just laid a concrete slab. This can be helpful if you’re extending a concrete porch, or if you have polished concrete floor inside as it can be nice to continue that solid feeling outside.

WEAPON 11: MODWOOD DECK

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to either HardieDeck or timber, ModWood might be a good choice. It’s made from reclaimed sustainable plantation pine waste and recycled plastic bottles (yay to doing your bit for the environment). It’s also great around pools and is termite, splinter and fire resistant. It is designed to look like timber, but does have a plastic look and feel when you’re up close and personal with it.

WEAPON 12: BALUSTRADES, BABY!

Not only will this prevent your friends and family from taking a tumble, but it will also impact the look and feel of your outdoor space. Frameless glass is a great option when you want to maintain an unobstructed view – especially if you’ll be seated at lounge level and looking through (rather than over) the balustrade. Glass also provides the clearest view for supervising kids in a pool. A cheaper option is a timber balustrade. Your carpenter or landscaper can build and paint this, but it might block your view and/or not suit the look of your house. Having said that, white balustrades usually look amazing.

WEAPON 13: PAVERS

Sometimes a deck is not the best choice for an alfresco area. For starters, decks can’t be built directly on the ground – they need to be raised by at least 5 cm in order to provide necessary ventilation. This requirement sometimes means you’ll have to dig down to create that gap, or endure a little step-up onto your deck (which is not a good look when flush-floor heights are so key to creating a seamless transition from inside to out). This is where pavers come in; they can be a great exterior flooring solution. Paving is usually cheaper than decking.

Which colour paver?

At the same time, the most seamless connections from inside to outdoors come when the flooring colour is a similar colour, or at least shares the same undertones. Take a piece of your flooring with you when you go shopping for your pavers.

Just remember when looking at a small sample of the paver that it’s important to visualise how the colour will look on a large scale.

WEAPON 14: CREATE AN OUTDOOR ROOM

If you can make an outside space feel like a room, that’s usually a good thing, and a strategically placed privacy screen can offer so much more than just blocking out the neighbours. Connected to a pergola or overhead covering, a privacy screen can help create the feeling of an outdoor room. They only need to be about 1.6 to 1.8 metres high, and you can buy pre-fabricated screens

PAINT THE SCREEN THE SAME COLOUR AS THE HOUSE TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A SEAMLESS CONTINUATION.

WEAPON 15: BUILT-IN BENCH SEATING

We love a built-in bench seat to help create that ‘outdoor room’ vibe and provide loads of practical seating options. Whether you use it to optimise a corner space or to provide seating along one side of a dining table (and use chairs opposite), they are an "alfresco win". But don’t limit this idea to small spaces.

They’re practical and pretty, and fairly cheap to build, so make sure you include them in your plans.

WEAPON 16: FIRE PIT

Fire pits are growing in popularity and are a great addition to an outdoor space. They bring family and friends together in a ‘round-the-campfire’ kinda way, and truly allow you to enjoy your outdoor space year round.

But think about the climate you live in before committing too much of your precious outdoor real estate to a fire pit. Maybe you want to be able to use the space for something else in summer and spring. Versatility is the name of the game, and an alfresco space that can be changed with the seasons is reno gold.