Creative Ways to Create an Indoor/Outdoor Connection
Renovation Quotes
from local renovators
Indoor/Outdoor Breakfast Bar
An Indoor/Outdoor Breakfast Bar allows you to seamlessly break down the barrier between inside and outside. Friends can sit and chat while the cook whips up a storm, plus it's a beautiful place to enjoy an alfresco snack without feeling detached from everyone in the home.
A Garage Door that Opens the Home Directly to the Outdoors
Gargae doors that can (with the touch of a button) lift out of the way are a great way to effortlessly open your home to the outdoors when the wetaher is good.
Build an Outdoor Fireplace that Opens into the Home on Either Side
Who wouldn't love to huddle around a roaring open fire like these? And when it helps to connect the indoors and outdoors, all the better! The success of these examples is that the fireplace ancors the opening to the outdoors to really draw people out.
Open a Whole Corner to the Outdoors
Rather than just a regular opening to the outdoors, an opening that disolves two corners of the house really enhances the indoor/outdoor connection, making the inside and outside feel like one.
Completely Open Two Opposite Walls
Similarly, opening two opposite walls makes the room feel more like a sheltered outdoor space than a internal room. Combine with a creek (or less elaborate water feature) for maximum effect.
Remember to Use the Same Material on the Same Plane Indoors and Outdoors
Nothing makes the connection between indoors and outdoors more seamless than using the same material inside and out. If you're using timber, stone or concrete inside, it can easily be extended outside to blur the boundaries. The effect is enhanced further by ensuring the surfaces inside and outside are on the same plane, no steps means no sense of the boundary (and allows for effertless tricycling)!
Use Lots of Glass
Even if your room is completely enclosed, the use of glazing can make it feel like its part of the outdoors. Especially good for cooler climates, a small room like this dining area completely surrounded by glass can make you feel like reaching out and touching nature (without the potential frost-bite).
Bring Plants Indoors
If you really can open up to nature, consider bringing a bit of nature indoors. A simple potted indoor plant can make a room feel much more connected to nature, but if you really want the full effect, consider a full green wall like in this luxurious bathroom.
Renovation Quotes
from local renovators
