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Indoor-Outdoor Living: Plan a Kitchen That Opens Up to the Elements
Enhancing your indoor-outdoor connection with slick transitions and clever materials can make al fresco dining a breeze
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Do you often swoon over images of stunning kitchen-diners on Houzz and wonder how the owners achieved such a seamless garden connection? Well, here we tackle the indoor-outdoor living conundrum and identify the key design essentials that will maximise your entertaining space by incorporating an al fresco area.
“Outdoor cooking and dining spaces, previously reserved for warmer climates, have been gradually becoming more popular, with more homeowners wanting to expand their entertaining opportunities,” says Laura Calimano, trends analyst at surface experts Cosentino. Here, we ask them to identify super-durable and beautifully stylish solutions that will help create a smooth transition from inside to out. Then it’s simply a case of combining all these design aspects together in your space to deliver your dream space.
“Outdoor cooking and dining spaces, previously reserved for warmer climates, have been gradually becoming more popular, with more homeowners wanting to expand their entertaining opportunities,” says Laura Calimano, trends analyst at surface experts Cosentino. Here, we ask them to identify super-durable and beautifully stylish solutions that will help create a smooth transition from inside to out. Then it’s simply a case of combining all these design aspects together in your space to deliver your dream space.
Secrets to Success
First and foremost, your kitchen living space needs to be flooded with natural light and reveal a view of the garden through either large windows or glazed doors, so that the exterior feels part of the room, even on a rainy day. Secondly, quick and easy access to the outdoor space through sliding or bi-fold doors will allow the indoors to be fully opened up, blurring the boundaries of the two spaces for a seamless transition.
To further encourage a slick flow between the spaces, a consistent use of materials and colour palettes throughout the two areas is key. “It’s important that the outdoor design reflects the standard of finish found indoors, as this will create a fluid link to connect the interior and exterior spaces. An easy way to achieve this is to use the same material for the flooring, which helps to draw your eye out to the garden,” says Laura. “You could also continue this connection by using the same material as your internal kitchen worktops for an outdoor bar area.”
Fit multi-purpose flooring. Choose robust flooring that can handle the high traffic between indoors and out. For example, choose durable and scratch-resistant, large format tiles which are slip and UV-resistant, making them perfect for both inside and outside use.
First and foremost, your kitchen living space needs to be flooded with natural light and reveal a view of the garden through either large windows or glazed doors, so that the exterior feels part of the room, even on a rainy day. Secondly, quick and easy access to the outdoor space through sliding or bi-fold doors will allow the indoors to be fully opened up, blurring the boundaries of the two spaces for a seamless transition.
To further encourage a slick flow between the spaces, a consistent use of materials and colour palettes throughout the two areas is key. “It’s important that the outdoor design reflects the standard of finish found indoors, as this will create a fluid link to connect the interior and exterior spaces. An easy way to achieve this is to use the same material for the flooring, which helps to draw your eye out to the garden,” says Laura. “You could also continue this connection by using the same material as your internal kitchen worktops for an outdoor bar area.”
Fit multi-purpose flooring. Choose robust flooring that can handle the high traffic between indoors and out. For example, choose durable and scratch-resistant, large format tiles which are slip and UV-resistant, making them perfect for both inside and outside use.
How to Make a Connection
To create a harmonious connection between the two spaces, think about how you can line up interior fittings with exterior fixtures to give a sense of continuity. For example, when an outdoor dining area is lined up with an interior island, the eye is drawn to the continuous line of furniture. Keeping walls simple and void of busy units or shelves will also encourage your external views to grab your attention and provide the colour. Introducing earthy tones through the worktops and matching splashback will give another nod to the natural outlook.
1. Use furniture to link the two spaces. A statement chair positioned close to the boundary of the garden will help blur the divide between the separate areas and create a sense of one big room.
To create a harmonious connection between the two spaces, think about how you can line up interior fittings with exterior fixtures to give a sense of continuity. For example, when an outdoor dining area is lined up with an interior island, the eye is drawn to the continuous line of furniture. Keeping walls simple and void of busy units or shelves will also encourage your external views to grab your attention and provide the colour. Introducing earthy tones through the worktops and matching splashback will give another nod to the natural outlook.
1. Use furniture to link the two spaces. A statement chair positioned close to the boundary of the garden will help blur the divide between the separate areas and create a sense of one big room.
2. Extend the worktop outside. Alternatively, go the extra mile by mirroring the exact worktop and island unit on the other side of a sliding glazed door will make a big impact. When the door is slid back, the island is dramatically transformed into a huge expansive dining space with a dynamic feel. The key is to pick a worktop that is ideally suited for both inside and out, and is especially resistant to the elements, such as frost, heat, and fire. Lighting is also an important consideration, and pendants above the island will help to illuminate the outside area too. “Lighting up the outdoor space at night stops it from feeling like a vast blackness from inside a warm cosy home, ensuring you can enjoy the space whatever the weather,” says Laura.
Bonus tip: Add drama with a waterfall island. Continuing the worktop down the side of the island not only looks sleek and contemporary, but also helps to conceal any appliances or storage solutions underneath. Plus, it’s a great way to show off a block of colour such as a soft grey, or alternatively showcase the beauty of marble veining effect for a high-end finish.
3. Connect the colour scheme. An effective way of creating an indoor-outdoor connection is to choose breezy garden colours for your kitchen cabinetry. Anything from sky blue to mint green will draw the eye from the kitchen to the garden beyond and back again, creating an elegant sense of cohesion. Then, to increase that ‘garden fresh’ feeling, opt for crisp white worktops that will reflect the natural light and ensure the space stays bright and airy.
4. Continue the natural connection through the details. Pepper your kitchen with warm organic touches, such as rich timber and soft metallics, to help tie in exterior furniture or decorative garden pots.
4. Continue the natural connection through the details. Pepper your kitchen with warm organic touches, such as rich timber and soft metallics, to help tie in exterior furniture or decorative garden pots.
Full Outdoor Kitchen Area
If you’re thinking of transforming your garden into an all-year-round space, why not go the whole way and build an all-singing, all-dancing outdoor kitchen, equipped with stove, barbecue and built-in fridge? Fitting low-porosity worktops that are resistant to hot cooking utensils, abrasive surfaces and harsh weather conditions are essential for making your outdoor kitchen a lasting success.
Make it weather-proof. Consider adding some shade or a permanent cover over the cooking area, and even a heater for the cooler months, and you’ll be using the space at every opportunity.
More: Find out more about Dekton by Consentino surfaces here.
Tell us: How have you created a link between your indoor and outdoor spaces?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
If you’re thinking of transforming your garden into an all-year-round space, why not go the whole way and build an all-singing, all-dancing outdoor kitchen, equipped with stove, barbecue and built-in fridge? Fitting low-porosity worktops that are resistant to hot cooking utensils, abrasive surfaces and harsh weather conditions are essential for making your outdoor kitchen a lasting success.
Make it weather-proof. Consider adding some shade or a permanent cover over the cooking area, and even a heater for the cooler months, and you’ll be using the space at every opportunity.
More: Find out more about Dekton by Consentino surfaces here.
Tell us: How have you created a link between your indoor and outdoor spaces?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
The Cosentino Group is a global leader in the design, production and distribution of innovative surfaces for... Read More
The Cosentino Group is a global leader in the design, production and distribution of innovative surfaces for... Read More
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We've just had sliders fitted in our (unfinished) extension because we wanted small sight lines Unfortunately I dont think we'll ever have them open because the dog will just escape from our very unsecure garden!
If you are doing and extension and adding doors it’s also worth thinking about adding a window for added easy access airflow too - if you don’t have one in the side runs of the room . We have designed some lovely window seats in kitchen areas with beautiful doors too. There’s a few drawings in our pro page if anyone wants to look ( click on my name or icon to get there ) it’s also useful to let the wildlife back out again too !
I'll second OnePlan's point ! While living in our previous house, a neighbour had her kitchen refitted - and it looked beautiful. A couple of years later, she confided that she really wished they'd included an opening window rather than just opening double doors/ French windows. There was many days when she wanted ventilation, but when a fully opened door would have been too much.