In a country such as Australia where we experience gorgeous weather and love entertaining, outdoor living designs are always a great option for the family home. If you are looking to extend your living space past the back door by creating an attractive outdoor entertaining area, here’s what you need to consider.

Clever seating
Most families love the idea of an outdoor area for entertaining. This means you’ll need to get a little creative with seating. Apart from the standard table and chairs, you may want to add a little more space for friends and family to relax and sit down. One great option is in-built seating, not only will this save space and remove the clutter that can come with moving chairs throughout the yard, it is also a great way to create a relaxed atmosphere – simply add some cushions and you are all set.

Cook up a storm
Make the most of the gorgeous outdoors by enjoying a meal with family and friends. Whether you want to create the perfect Aussie barbeque, our want to create delicious pizzas with a specially designed oven, you can design an outdoor cooking area that is perfect for your needs. One thing to consider is whether you just plan on doing the cooking or the cooking and preparation outdoors. If you would like to prep as well, more bench space and a sink might be the way to go.

Think of the weather
Once you decorate your outdoor entertaining area just the way you like, you’ll want to take every opportunity to get outside and enjoy it. To ensure you can appreciate this area all year long, you need to have a think about the weather. Is there adequate shade in the summer? Will you need to add a heater, fireplace or other extras for winter? Can you install enclosures to help block wind and rain?

More than just the atmosphere itself, you will also need to keep weather in mind when purchasing items to fill your outdoor entertaining space. Some materials have longer durability when it comes to time out in the elements, you may also need to invest in furniture and barbeque covers if need be.

Landscaping
More than just the outdoor entertaining area itself, you will need to consider the view you will get once you are sitting and enjoying the space. The type of theme you create in your outdoor entertaining area can be carried out in surrounding areas too and may influence the type of plants you choose. You can also think about paving the way that leads people from the outdoor entertaining area to the garden and vice versa.

If you would like to bring your garden even closer, consider a vertical garden which could double as the ingredients for your cooking, or vines that can also provide shade once they are grown.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, Fairhaven Homes recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and that you seek independent legal, financial, and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article.