These days, alfrescos are more popular than ever. When designing an alfresco, there are a number of things to consider that lend to creating beautiful, functional and comfortable area outside of the home.
Here are 5 tips to design a perfect alfresco.
- Determine the size and layout of your alfresco. This will largely depend on what activities you want to accommodate and the size of your block. Whether your alfresco is small and intimate or large and spacious, you’ll want to create zones to separate various activities-such as cooking, conversation and relaxation-while allowing for good traffic flow throughout the space. When situating your alfresco, you will need to consider natural elements such as prevailing winds and sun orientation.
- Plan for privacy. Your alfresco won’t have walls, so if privacy and noise are concerns you’ll need to install a fence or tall landscaping plants between you and the neighbours.
- Consider convenience. Your alfresco should be easily accessible from the house, with food preparation areas located near your indoor kitchen to reduce trips back and forth. You must also consider access to power and water.
- Complement your home’s architectural style. It’s critical when designing your alfresco that it feels like an extension of the interior of the home. Extending your interior finishes to the exteriors ensures a seamless transition outdoors. Taking the flooring from the interior to the outdoors is a critical element. Utilising the same bench top materials, similar lighting fixtures and even ceiling details are other areas to consider.
- Amenities. When deciding which amenities to add to your alfresco, take into account your family’s lifestyle. Do you like to spend evenings outdoors next to a fireplace or is the outdoor kitchen perfect for your foodie lifestyle? We see all kinds of amenities and some of our favorites are fireplaces, live media and seating areas, bar areas, dining areas, built-in barbeques and water features.
