9 Tips For Creating An Outdoor Living Space You'll Love

Apr 24, 2022
6 min read

Outdoor living has become an important extension of the modern home. Whether you're entertaining friends, enjoying family dinners outside, or simply looking for a peaceful place to relax, a thoughtfully designed outdoor room can add value to your home while making everyday life more enjoyable.

Here are 11 practical ideas to help you create an outdoor living space you'll enjoy throughout the year.

1) Decide How You'll Use Your Outdoor Room

Think about the main reason for an outdoor room. Are you wanting to spend more time dining outside, or perhaps an outdoor cinema, or maybe just a sunbathing spot for a lazy Sunday? Knowing the purpose will help you determine the size and section of your yard that you wish to convert, and will also help you decide the type of furniture needed.

Outdoor chair and table surrounded by plants

2) Choose the Best Location for Your Outdoor Living Space

Before you start adding furniture items to your Pinterest board, think about where the sun falls in the different seasons and at different times of the day, as this should be a guiding factor in how you set up your space.

If you have a large outdoor area available, you may wish to create different spaces within, such as a lounge under a tree and an outdoor cinema against the brick wall.

Birds-eye view of a manicured lawn, pathway and decking

3) Define the Space with Decking or Paving

Flooring always helps to define the parameters of a room. You could lay outdoor pavers or perhaps wooden decking. A cheaper but attractive option could be garden gravel or crushed shells. Just section off the “floor” with a boundary, lay down some weed mat, and then fill with your preferred option.

If your outdoor space leads straight out from the house, think about making the transition as seamless as possible. This could be by way of floor tiles or even artificial grass. Try to use something where you can walk in and out of the house barefoot. If you use timber flooring inside and wish to continue this outside, be sure to keep the direction of the timber consistent, as this will make the two areas flow quite seamlessly.

If you're considering adding a larger deck, covered entertaining area or extending your home, our Home Extensions service can help create a space that feels like a natural continuation of your home.

Many renovation projects include improving the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Read more about our Home Renovation Services.

Backyard patio with outdoor furniture, plants and grassy patch

4) Add Landscaping for Privacy and Style

Once the groundwork is finished, it's time to soften the space with planting. Landscaping not only makes an outdoor room feel more inviting, but it also helps define the boundaries and creates a sense of privacy.

Rosemary, hydrangeas and ornamental grasses all make excellent screening plants, while hanging baskets, climbing vines and raised planter boxes can add colour and texture. Native New Zealand plants are also worth considering, as many are well-suited to Wellington's climate and generally require less maintenance once established.

If your property is exposed to Wellington's strong winds, carefully placed hedges, trees or vertical planting can provide valuable shelter while still allowing natural light into the space.

Rattan couch with cushions on a timber deck surrounded by plants

5) Create Shelter with Pergolas, Screens or Planting

If your goal is soaking up the sunshine, you may decide an open outdoor space is all you need. However, for many Wellington homeowners, adding some form of shelter makes the space far more practical throughout the year.

A pergola, louvre roof, gazebo or retractable awning can provide shade during summer while offering protection from unexpected showers. Privacy screens, decorative slatted fencing and climbing plants can also help define the space while creating a cosy, enclosed feel.

When choosing structures and materials, remember that Wellington's weather can be unpredictable. Selecting durable, weather-resistant materials and ensuring structures are securely installed will help your outdoor room stand up to strong winds and changing conditions for years to come.

Outdoor furniture in front of a rock wall and a black gazebo overhead

6) Create a focal point

This could be a statement piece of furniture such as an outdoor daybed, a water feature, or a piece of art. Work around your budget and be sure to choose something that reflects your personal style.

7) Choose Comfortable Outdoor Furniture

The outdoor room needs to reflect what is indoors. This means plenty of seating, cushions, and enough tables to hold food, drinks, books etc. Again, let the purpose of the space define how you furnish, but be sure to choose furniture that can withstand all sorts of weather.

Rattan is currently making a comeback and is a good option for maintaining indoor-outdoor flow. It is hard-wearing enough to stay outside, yet is also used indoors.

Be sure to add dimension and comfort by adding layers. By this, we mean different textures in cushions, blankets, rugs, etc. Again, try to create the feeling that the outdoor room is an extension of the inside of the house, by maintaining consistency with patterns and colours.

Patio with outdoor lounge set, rug, and a swing chair

8) Add Warmth for Year-Round Outdoor Living

There's no reason your outdoor room should only be enjoyed during summer. With a few thoughtful additions, you can create a comfortable space that remains inviting well into the cooler months.

Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits create a natural gathering point while providing warmth on chilly evenings. If space or council requirements make these unsuitable, electric or infrared outdoor heaters are another excellent option. Layering the space with outdoor rugs, cushions and chunky blankets also adds comfort while creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Because Wellington evenings can cool down quickly, planning for warmth from the beginning will help you get much more use out of your outdoor room throughout the year.

Outdoor fireplace with two adirondack chairs in front

9) Use Outdoor Lighting to Create Ambience

Lighting is often one of the finishing touches that brings an outdoor room to life. Well-planned lighting not only creates atmosphere but also makes the space safer and more functional after dark.

Different lighting styles create different moods. Lanterns and battery-operated candles provide a relaxed, intimate feel, while festoon lights add warmth for entertaining and fairy lights bring a soft decorative touch. For larger outdoor areas, wall sconces, recessed deck lighting or low-voltage garden lights can highlight pathways, planting and architectural features.

If you're renovating or extending your home, it's worth considering outdoor lighting during the planning stage so wiring can be installed neatly and safely. The result is an outdoor room that remains just as inviting after sunset as it is during the day.

Outdoor lounge set with a gazebo and fairy lights over it

10) Include an Outdoor Kitchen or BBQ Area

Outdoor entertaining has become a big part of how many Kiwi families use their homes, and an outdoor kitchen or dedicated BBQ area can make your outdoor room even more functional.

It doesn't have to be an elaborate setup. A quality barbecue, a small benchtop for food preparation and some built-in storage can make hosting family and friends much easier. If you have the space and budget, you might also consider adding an outdoor sink, bar fridge or even a pizza oven.

When planning your layout, think about how people will move between the indoor kitchen and the outdoor entertaining space. Keeping these areas well-connected makes entertaining more enjoyable and helps your outdoor room feel like a true extension of your home.

If you're thinking about creating an outdoor kitchen, our blog "Planning an Outdoor Kitchen" explores everything from layout and location to choosing materials and appliances, helping you create a space that's both practical and enjoyable to use.

11) Choose Low-Maintenance Materials

A beautiful outdoor room should be enjoyable to use, not something that requires constant upkeep. When selecting materials, think beyond appearance and consider how they'll perform over time.

Composite decking, powder-coated aluminium, weather-resistant outdoor furniture and quality exterior paints can all help reduce maintenance while standing up to Wellington's changing weather conditions. If you prefer natural timber, choose products that are suited to New Zealand's climate and keep up with regular cleaning and staining to protect them from moisture and UV exposure.

Investing in durable materials from the start can save time, money and maintenance in the years ahead, leaving you with more time to simply enjoy your outdoor space.

A thoughtfully designed outdoor room can become one of the most enjoyed spaces in your home, whether it's for entertaining friends, spending time with family or simply relaxing with a coffee on a sunny Wellington morning.

At Orkney Group, we've been helping Wellington homeowners improve and transform their homes for over 20 years. From extensions and renovations to outdoor entertaining areas, our team understands how to create spaces that are practical, durable and designed to suit the way you live.

If your plans include new decking, a covered outdoor area, structural improvements or a complete home renovation, we're here to help. From construction through to painting and the finishing touches, we offer a complete, end-to-end service.

If you're still in the planning stages, you may also find our blog "Planning a Renovation in Wellington" helpful.

And if you're looking to refresh your existing outdoor spaces, take a look at our Painting & Decorating services to see how a professional exterior makeover can bring your vision to life.