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How to ‘winterise’ your outdoor space

By Guest Poster •

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By Marcus Fulker

Winter doesn’t need to mean hiding indoors wrapped permanently in a blanket. Whilst those days are definitely nice, having an outdoor space for entertaining despite the weather is something most of us desire. Embracing the cooler season can be hard, but with the right outdoor area, a crackling fire and cosy scenery, you can fight that urge to hide away.

14-07-2014 11-57-24 AM
Source: Houzz. Click through here.

Step outside your comfort zone, stop letting winter cramp your style and check out these super hot tips to make your outdoor area the perfect living space – all year round.

1. Create a cosy setting

A well-planned outdoor area should involve a cosy setting and a purpose. Clever designs, low-maintenance materials and a luxurious homely feeling will ensure both you and your guests feel comfortable. Nowadays, outdoor living is designed to reflect the interior space so you want it to maintain a similar style. For an outdoor space to feel truly cosy, it’ll need to give the sense that it’s a room. Focus on a palette that’s restrained, yet warm and incorporate the principals behind designing a sociable living space.

2. Provide protection from the elements

If you’re serious about having an outdoor living space suitable for entertaining all year round, it’s an absolute must that adequate protection is provided. There’s nothing comfortable about sitting outside in the rain, strong winds or extreme cold so having a versatile patio will shield you from harsh elements throughout the year.

Especially in winter, every day brings unpredictable weather and this can be damaging to your furniture. Dome patios provide the perfect balance between an attractive feature and outdoor protection, creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your guests. If you’re looking to extend you existing gable patio area, Hip Ends are ideal for design flexibility and offer a convenient way to enjoy outdoor entertaining regardless of the weather.

3. Incorporate a spark of fire

There’s something pretty spectacular about fire that not only captivates us, but creates a space that is warm, cosy and inviting. Incorporating a spark of fire into your outdoor area, whether it is a fire pit table or a fireplaces, can add an attractive focal point for the space whilst keeping you and your guests toasty. Use the fire as a gathering point and encourage everyone to sit around and toast marshmallows. When the weather turns warm again, a fire pit table can still be used to hold drinks and snacks.

14-07-2014 11-59-02 AM
Source: Houzz. Click through here

Once you have a spark of fire in place, complement with a water feature to promote relaxation and bring in a cool dimension of tranquillity. If the space permits, consider building a small garden pond to fill with fish and a waterfall to create an exotic feel. Water features or small fountains can also be sufficient.

4. Brighten those gloomy days with colour

Winter can definitely be a dull mood changer so add a touch of excitement with colours that are bold, bright and daring. Playful colours like yellows, blues and reds will fit beautifully on the background of outdoor earthy tones and colourful accessories will transform the space into a little piece of tropical paradise.

Think colourful potted plants, brightly patterned hammocks and cushions for your outdoor furniture. As vibrant hues and lively designs become incorporated into outdoor décor, your mood is lifted and the space is jazzed up with an element of fun.

5. Choose the right furniture

Whilst a good patio will provide protection against the harsh elements, it’s still vital you invest in outdoor products that can withstand the weather. Choosing the right furniture can give you the opportunity to reflect your personality, have some creative fun and establish a space that is comfy and convenient for entertaining.

You want items that’ll last the distance and provide extensive comfort for years to come. Look for pieces that can give your outdoor space that ‘wow’ factor by adding depth, flair and colour. Good quality is essential, think of your outdoor products as an investment, and consider maintenance requirements and rust-resistant properties.

When choosing the right outdoor furniture, take into consideration its function and purpose, comfort and construction, design consistency and durability, colour schemes, cost, size and shape. Furniture that can serve more than one purpose will not only make life easier for you, but it’ll free up extra space for other items like lighting that can complete the look.

6. Keep entertaining

Taking good care of you outdoor space will ensure it’s perfect for entertaining in all year round. A good outdoor living area will keep the action going, despite what the weather brings in so make sure you’re using the space as best you can.

For those that want to channel their inner chef, this can mean bringing the heat from the inside kitchen, outside. Outdoor kitchens are booming in popularity thanks to cooking shows and the availability of new recipes everyone wants to try. People are being more creative with their cooking, and the convenience of an outdoor kitchen makes this easier to show off those new skills, experiment and entertain. Typically, the grill is the heart of any true outdoor kitchen so make sure you have the right equipment.

14-07-2014 11-56-13 AM
Source: Houzz. Click through here. 

To add to that entertaining atmosphere, be sure to create a little drama with the right lighting. Not just a safety consideration, adequate lighting will accent your outdoor space and make that beautifully designed landscape and attractive elements stand out.

Make your yard look stunning at night by layering lights and learning to combine ambient lighting. If you’re after a soft, cosy glow, keep lighting around the house pointing downwards. Illumination in trees and spotlights around the pool and deck area will create a romantic, soft glow that’ll make the space inviting.

– Marcus Fulker is managing director of Great Aussie Patios – Perth’s leading patio builders with a solution for every outdoor space.

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August 2, 2014

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Two little dancers in the family now🪩 Two little dancers in the family now🪩
I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" 😂

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says he’s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. “We don’t think our pieces are there just to look good,” Jack says. “We love seeing our pieces in people’s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. They’re for real life.”

FEARON’s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio.

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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