Our Guide to Indoor Outdoor Living

Although you can’t always rely on the British weather, we can all agree on the positive prospects of indoor outdoor living. Therefore, creating a flow throughout your home that seamlessly embraces both makes sense. 

We explore unique ways to connect indoor and outdoor living spaces and establish greater harmony between them.

When creating a seamless indoor outdoor living connection, it’s essential to consider that both spaces should contribute to the same aesthetic purpose. One of the most straightforward solutions is to adopt consistent flooring and extendable ceiling materials that create an easy transition between the interior and exterior.

French doors and minimal glass framing can also help with this transition, bringing the outdoors in and extending the indoor living space, as Brad Smith, CEO of Omni Home Ideas, elaborates. 

“Large, sliding glass doors not only offer an unobstructed view but also ease the movement,” he says. “They make the outdoor area a true extension of the indoor living space.”

With its expansive glass and pitched roof, the time-honoured conservatory remains one of the classic ways to meld the indoors with the out. It is essentially another room of the home, so this connection creates a seamless transition. 

Orangeries, which contain significantly less glass and feature a predominantly flat-perimeter roof, are often added to an existing kitchen to enable flow. They increase functionality and can efficiently serve as an additional office or extra living space.  

Above all, a conservatory or orangery offers plenty of opportunities for customisation and a seamless view of the outdoors, enabling you to appreciate your garden from a comfortable position, no matter the weather.

Outdoor kitchens are another way to create a harmonic relationship between indoor outdoor living areas. They contribute to the comfort level of outdoor living, and their relationship to their interior counterpart makes for a more organically connected space.  

“Imagine your outdoor kitchen as an extension of your indoor culinary space, seamlessly blending with the surroundings,” continues Kate. “Create versatility with modular furniture that can easily transition from the indoors to the outside. This approach allows for a fluid, dynamic space that adapts to your needs while maintaining a cohesive design.”

We’re certainly seeing a growing trend in people realising the entertainment potential of the outdoor kitchen through the incorporation of functional facilities and comfortable seating. "A lot more creativity is going into indoor and outdoor [spaces], creating seamless links that elevate the entertaining experience,” says WHITEFOX Real Estate's sales director Lana Samuels.  

“With more people choosing to entertain at home, we're seeing more focus on things like bar areas, fire pits, pergolas, barbecues, and other outdoor space enhancers, which families are increasingly keen to invest in so that they can bring everyone together in their own space."

An indoor outdoor living guide wouldn’t be complete without considering the contemporary concept of an outdoor shower. Outdoor showers not only improve the functionality of your outdoor living environment by offering a convenient cleaning option but also add a striking visual element. 
 

ABI Interiors offers elegant outdoor showers that add value to your home. Made from rust-resistant 316-grade stainless steel, these fixtures come in four different finishes, allowing them to complement your space or make a bold statement. 

These fixtures also have the potential to be easily immersed within the foliage of your garden. “For outdoor showers or pool areas, consider incorporating elements that stimulate the senses, such as aromatic herbs or flowering vines,” says Kate. 

“To truly capitalise on the natural beauty of an outdoor setting, consider integrating indigenous plants and materials that resonate with the local environment, enhancing both the aesthetic and the sustainability of the space,” adds Brad. “For example, using native stone in outdoor showers can create a more immersive experience.”

Creating different zones in your outdoor space helps it better relate to some of the principles of interior design and contributes to a smoother indoor outdoor living connection. Consider mirroring your exterior flow to that of your interior — establishing easily designated sections for cooking, lounging, dining, and washing.

These boundaries can be visually established by the strategic placement of lattice dividers, privacy screens, large pot plants, outdoor rugs, or retractable sliding shutters or doors that easily segregate different areas.

Above all, seamless indoor outdoor living is about creating relaxed and welcoming spaces at home. With some imagination, you can easily perfect an accommodating outdoor space that naturally integrates with your interiors for a more tranquil home environment.

For more outdoor design solutions, read our blogs on:
 

Outdoor Renovation Ideas to Add Value to Your Home

5 Reasons Why You Should Install An Orangery

Also, consider booking a complimentary design consultation at our London Showroom.