Your new modular home should be the perfect fit for your lifestyle – and if you enjoy spending time outdoors, creating a flow between your house and garden is a must.
Essentially this means connecting the two spaces, either by bringing the outdoors in or creating a seamless path to your favourite places outside. When you’re planning your new home there are some key features and design elements that can help you achieve this and as we head into the warmer months, this can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the seasons.
So, if you love the outdoors (and who doesn’t), read on to discover how to create a sense of flow between your home and garden.
Remove Physical Barriers
One of the most obvious ways to create flow is to remove physical barriers between indoor and outdoor spaces. The inclusion of bi-fold doors in your living zone is a really effective way to extend the room and bring the outdoors in. Our Buxton project is a wonderful example of this. On clear days, the beautiful open decking is the perfect place to relax in the sunshine or under the stars.
Sliding doors leading outside to the decking can also provide easy access to the garden, and many of our clients opt to include these in both the living area and bedrooms. Having multiple points to access the garden invites you to step outside more often, whether you’re enjoying your morning cuppa or watching the sun go down. Another clever idea is to add a bi-fold window from the kitchen out to the decking, as our clients did in the customised Patonga Beach project. It’s practical, looks great and allows the chef of the house to keep the conversation going while in the kitchen.
Let in the Views, Light and Air
When your design includes lots of windows, you draw the eye to outside and create a connection with the surrounding landscape. The right windows in the right place will let in natural light, fresh air and frame the views.
Picture windows look stunning, especially when your home is situated in a rural, coastal or bush setting. If you are located near the beach, opting for louvre windows can be a stylish and practical way to capture the sea breeze and sound of the waves (as seen in our Rye project).
Include an Alfresco and Decking
When you have a comfortable and easily accessible area to sit outside, you create an instant connection to your backyard, which is why so many of our clients opt to include a decking or alfresco. When you can step outside on the same level it creates flow, especially if you incorporate natural elements that blend with the timber of the deck. A stunning example of this is our Somerville project, where the living area flows through bi-fold doors to the undercover alfresco and to the decking beyond.
Add Greenery and Natural Elements
You can enhance the effect of all of the above with the added touch of indoor plants and natural elements inside. Some simple but effective ideas include timber furniture, botanical textiles, and soft and hard furnishings in green shades. If you can use some of these on both the inside and out, such as green cushions on the couch and outdoor setting, or a potted palm on the decking and in the dining area, it can have a subtle but powerful effect.
Make the Most of Your Space Both Inside and Out
When designing your new modular home, your focus should extend beyond the floor plan to include your outdoor spaces as well. Because if you’re like most Australians, when the weather is good, you’ll gravitate outside – and a home that allows you to flow easily between the indoors and out makes it all the more enjoyable.
Over to You
Do you have a question about creating flow in your new modular design? Or want to know more about any of the elements or projects discussed in the article? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with our team on 03 5145 7110, post a comment below or visit us on Facebook.
