Many homeowners have rooms that are connected to the garden or seating area. It’s a great way to enjoy your indoor and outdoor space during summer and still feel connected to nature during colder months. But how do you get the unification between these two spaces working? We came up with six tips you’ll find useful.
Let in the light
The easiest way to link your indoor and outdoor space is to let in more light. You can do this by replacing a section of your exterior wall with window walls, pocket, bi-fold or lift-and-slide glass doors. The more glazing there is, the more you’ll feel like you’re moving from one part of a continuous area into another one. Another good idea is to ditch the traditional four-walls-and-windows pattern and go for something different. Around-the-corner windows can ensure you have a spectacular view to the outside and link the house with the outside. Increasing the amount of light in your home also has myriad health benefits, making this an ideal home improvement project. For example, it reduces stress and boosts your immune system.
Be smart with technology
Technology is an important part of every modern home. The problem is, when tying your home and the outside together, technology doesn’t really help. It’s just that it takes away from the peaceful and calming ambiance you want to create. Luckily, this problem can be solved with a careful choice of devices for your home. There are high-tech energy-efficient technologies you can get and still merge your indoor and outdoor spaces the way you want. For instance, LED bulbs will create a more peaceful atmosphere in both areas than standard incandescent ones would. You can also step it up a notch and remote control everything in your outside area including entertainment, lighting, and water.
Surround yourself with greenery
Another good idea for merging indoor and outdoor spaces is adding more greenery. Just a few plants in areas where your home meets outside can give the entire place a different feel. Sizeable plants that take up a lot of space work the best. However, be careful with the size and density of your plants as you don’t want to stop light from coming in. If you want to do even more, you can position your outside plants closer to the house to keep the flow going. Also, consider building a raised planter box to keep your plants at eye level when you’re inside. You can even use the same pots you used for your indoor plants.
Extend your living out
Nothing connects inside and outside areas like extending your living out. With just a little bit of work, you can create an inviting and stylish outdoor space you can enjoy year-round. Once you cover the outdoor area with some sort of roofing, the only thing left to do is to furnish the entire space. To make the transition work, decorate it just like you did with the inside of your home. Luckily, finding stylish outdoor rugs and outdoor furniture shouldn’t be tough. Also, remember that things such as pillows, squabs and BBQ utensils all need a place to live. That’s why adding some storage options to your new outdoor room is a great idea.
Plan appropriate lighting
The lighting you choose for your outdoor area is another key element for achieving the perfect inside-outside transition. Most homeowners use softer lighting for patios and outdoor entertaining spaces. However, when merging two areas, you don’t want to make the place too dim. If you do that, you might feel like you’re stepping from indoors into a completely different space. The perfect solution is to make the light gradually soften as you move further away from the door. In case you opt for a large opening between the two spaces, you don’t have to worry about lighting a lot. Most of the time, the light from your indoor space will be enough for this transition.
Use the same flooring
No matter what you plan to use your outdoor area for, you need some flooring outside. A floor that extends from the inside to the exterior draws the eye outside and links everything perfectly. Just have in mind that not all flooring options work for both inside and outside. If you opt for tile flooring, look for ones that are durable and resistant to frost. Depending on how you plan to use your outdoor area, you can spread the flooring differently. For example, rather than having one large paved patio, you can create separate zones. These zones can then be used for different activities like entertaining, cooking and relaxing.
Over to you
Linking your indoor and outdoor spaces doesn’t require a full renovation. With these six tips, creating a perfect oasis that extends from your home will be easy and fun.
