As an Australian, one of the things I love most about our homes is the unique way we blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. There’s something about the Australian lifestyle that calls us outside—whether it’s to soak up the sun, enjoy a BBQ with family, or simply breathe in the open air. Over the years, I’ve embraced the trend of indoor-outdoor living in my own home, and it’s changed how I connect with my surroundings. Creating seamless spaces between inside and out isn’t just a trend here; it’s almost a way of life. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I achieved this fluid connection in my own home, and share tips on how you can bring that breezy, open vibe into your space, too.
Embracing the Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle
In Australia, we’re lucky to have a climate that allows us to spend so much time outdoors. But I found that, even when I was inside, I wanted to stay connected to nature. For me, that meant opening up my home to let light and air flow freely between spaces, creating a sense of continuity that made both indoors and outdoors feel like part of the same living area.
The beauty of an indoor-outdoor setup is that it enhances every aspect of home life. I found myself spending more time outside, taking my morning coffee on the deck, or inviting friends for dinners under the stars. And on days when I was inside, I still felt like I had a piece of nature with me. It’s a design choice that goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that’s healthy, inviting, and perfectly suited to our laid-back Aussie lifestyle.
Open Floor Plans: The Heart of Seamless Living
The first step in creating an indoor-outdoor feel was opening up my home’s layout. If there’s one thing that can transform a space, it’s removing walls to create an open floor plan. By joining the living room, kitchen, and dining area, I was able to create a large, flexible space that naturally extended toward the outdoors. Now, when I open the glass doors leading to the backyard, it feels like my whole house is breathing.
Bringing in Natural Light
Natural light is crucial when you’re creating a seamless indoor-outdoor design. Australian homes are known for large windows and sliding glass doors that bring sunlight in, but I learned there are more ways to enhance this effect. Skylights, for example, can brighten up areas that might otherwise be shadowed, like hallways or dining rooms. I added one over my kitchen, and it made a world of difference—not just in terms of light but in giving the kitchen a more open, airy feel.
For me, choosing the right glass was important, too. Double-glazed windows allowed for plenty of light while keeping out the harsh summer heat. Reflective coatings helped with insulation, so I could maintain a comfortable temperature without sacrificing sunlight.
Choosing the Right Flooring
When I was designing my indoor-outdoor space, I wanted the floors to flow naturally from inside to outside, creating that visual connection. I chose stone tiles for the patio and matched them as closely as possible to the tiles inside. This continuity created a “pathway” effect that draws the eye outside. Timber decks are another popular choice for a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors, and they work beautifully if you have timber floors inside.
Flooring is also about durability. Since I entertain a lot, I needed floors that could handle foot traffic, food spills, and even the occasional visit from friends’ pets. Stone tiles are easy to clean, and their earthy tones blend perfectly with the natural landscape outside, creating that smooth transition I was after.
Choosing Furnishings That Work in Both Spaces
When I started picking furniture, I quickly realized that indoor-outdoor living meant rethinking my choices. Rather than defining furniture strictly for indoors or outdoors, I selected pieces that could work in either setting. Materials like wicker, teak, and powder-coated metal are durable enough for outdoor use but stylish enough for the living room.
For my outdoor seating area, I chose comfortable cushions with weather-resistant fabric. Not only do they hold up well against the sun and rain, but they’re also cozy enough to bring inside if I need extra seating. Matching color palettes between indoors and outdoors can help the spaces feel unified, too. I chose a neutral palette with splashes of deep green and terracotta, which complements both the natural outdoor landscape and the warm, inviting feel I wanted indoors.
Adding Greenery: Bringing the Outdoors In
One of my favorite ways to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors is through plants. I’ve always loved greenery, but when I committed to indoor-outdoor living, I went all in. I selected potted plants that could thrive …