EXTERIOR STYLE

Creating great outdoor living areas

By Megan Dunn

Outdoor living is an absolute essential in any Kiwi home, it’s in our DNA that we love spending time outdoors, making the most of our exceptional summer climate with friends and family. Cultivating the perfect outdoor space for your unique home space can increase the utilities in your house like nothing else, producing new ways in which you and your family eat, relax, play, create and live.

The thing about a great outdoor living area is that it can be taken advantage of year-round, dispelling traditional ideas that it can only be utilised in the warmer months.

Why not take the time to make your home a true sanctuary and plan the outdoor living area you’ve been dreaming of? These simple design tips and tricks will help you transform your outdoor area regardless of time, space or budget.

Functionality and personalisation

The basis of any great outdoor area is the furniture pieces you decide to use.

Many people get stuck in the trap of thinking they must have multiple pieces of different styles of furniture in their one space, for example, a lounge set and a dining table. If your space is big enough that it allows for this - that is wonderful however, if you are working with a smaller space, selecting one is more than enough and ensures the space is not overpowered by cluttered furniture.

The aspect that is the most important thing here is functionality. Take a step back and consider what furniture suits your family needs; what sort of furniture you are all most likely to use.

If you all appreciate the routine of sitting down at the dinner table for meals or in contrast prefer the casual aspect of relaxing on the sofa for meal times

this should safely guide you in your choice for which is more suitable for your family. Have vision and foresight when selecting and purchasing your furniture and stay deliberate and practical - don’t forget you can still add personality and flare with colours and fabrics.

Overhead cover

Another essential feature to a great outdoor living area is appropriate cover. This is nothing short of a must to protect against the somewhat unpredictable New Zealand weather and equips your outdoor area for year-round living. Any overhead cover will protect your space from the harsh UV rays or, on the opposite spectrum, the wetness from a downpour. NZ Louvres have become a popular fixture in the backyard of thousands of Kiwis in recent years offering stylish affordable covers against the climate. Explore your options and figure out which cover option will be best suited for your area. This will be well worth it.

Lighting

A little feature that is often overlooked in the rush of redesigning is lighting, it’s a crucial element that literally brings the space to life. Solar lights, lanterns, fairy lights, up/downlights, step lights… take your pick! Any form of lighting works to boost the mood and general atmosphere of your outdoor area plus it means your area can seamlessly transition from daytime space to evening nighttime space - a win win!

Focal points

Lastly, don’t forget to spice up the area with a product or piece that your family will love. For some, this may be as simple as BBQ for creating that perfect effortless meal. For others this may look like things such as bean bags, a games box, candles, a fire pit, or a pizza oven – the possibilities are endless. Making your outdoor space fit your unique needs is the key to making it fabulous. Implement these easy ideas to get the most out of your space and create the best memories with loved ones.

Any overhead cover will protect your space from the harsh UV rays or, on the opposite spectrum, the wetness from a downpour.

The Gold Standard of CONCRETE

We aim to provide New Zealanders with concrete that is truly special and unique to each client. Using techniques and resources from around the globe, our teams goal is to exemplify the endless possibilities and creativeness you can have with concrete.

EXTERIOR CONCRETE • CONCRETE RESURFACING • MICROTOPPING GRIND & SEAL FLOORS • CONCRETE BENCHTOPS

The global pandemic has changed the face of the home market, instigating great opportunities in design and construction. Delivery times and access to products may be affected but the desire for the comforts of home and the ability to innovate far outweigh the negatives.

In the past year many international Kiwis have returned home and New Zealand Kiwis adjusted to life without travel. The result was a building boom in the domestic renovation and building market, with an emphasis on the most functional spaces: bathrooms. They are a place of relaxation and escape, a haven to pamper oneself and revitalise and are being paid increased attention during design phases. Bathroomware market leader Oakleys Plumbing Supplies reports that current customers are not shy about achieving the best results they can, with the demand for top-quality bathroomware and plumbing systems higher than ever. People are not only building for function, there is an aspect of comfort and pride in their projects, too. Oakleys’ commitment to both New Zealand manufacturers and the best of the European suppliers, ensures customers are never without choice of product. Popular amongst homeowners at the moment are tapware in living metals which patina with age, and concrete basins and baths with their raw beauty and anchoring effect. German designed thermostatically controlled shower systems are in demand so you never have to worry about consistency in water temperature again, as are intelligent toilets which incorporate bidet systems and therefore an environment of increased hygiene. Oakleys has a talented team of consultants amongst its four stores, who not only have encyclopaedic knowledge of bathroomware products, but also offer design services, spatial planning advice, colour consultancies and an architectural service for architects and designers. As a result of increased demand in the bathroom industry, the Oakleys Group is in the midst of a showroom rejuvenation programme. Both Nelson and Cromwell stores have their state-ofthe-art showrooms open with Dunedin’s renovation currently in design and Christchurch’s to follow.

Designed by award-winning designer Davinia Sutton, the showrooms introduce a standard rarely seen in New Zealand showrooms before.

Davinia has created a raft of concept bathrooms showcasing the company’s amazing product lines and teamed them with impressive lighting, and beautiful tile, wallpaper and paint choices to showcase exactly what is achievable in today’s bathroom design world. The showrooms also feature kitchen and laundry products, extensive tapware collections, and working displays where you can test products before you buy. Oakleys’ dedication to design, workmanship and service has been evident since the company was established in 1875. When Henry Oakley and John Morgan Taylor founded Taylor & Oakley Plumbers Iron and Tinplate Workers, Gasfitters and Bellhangers, Christchurch was a newly established city and their products were the preferred fittings by reputable plumbers. Now 145 years later the company proudly maintains its locally owned and operated status with the owner of each branch found on the shop floor every day. This dedication to locals helping locals is at the forefront of the exceptional Oakleys’ service.