Our Guide to Indoor Outdoor Living

Due to how much time we spend outside in New Zealand, indoor outdoor living can be taken for granted. Therefore, creating a flow throughout your home that seamlessly embraces both makes sense. 

We explore some unique ways to connect indoor and outdoor living spaces and establish greater harmony between them. 

When creating a seamless indoor outdoor living connection in New Zealand, it’s essential to consider that both spaces should contribute to the same aesthetic purpose. One of the most straightforward solutions is to adopt consistent flooring and extendable ceiling materials that create an easy transition between the interior and exterior. 

Sliding glass doors can also help with this transition, bringing the outdoors in to offer an extension of the indoor living space, as Brad Smith of Omni Home Ideas elaborates: “Large, sliding glass doors not only offer an unobstructed view but also ease the movement,” he says. “They make the outdoor area a true extension of the indoor living space.”

Another way to blur the lines between the two areas is through biophilic design, where you bring elements of the outside world into the home. “In my experience, indoor outdoor living isn't just a trend—it's a way to create harmony between your home and the natural world,” says Kate Hill, an international floral designer. 

To achieve this biophilic ideal, try opting for materials that echo textures and colours found outdoors, including natural stone and sustainably sourced wood. “Highlight these areas with thoughtfully chosen plantings that enhance privacy and beauty,” continues Kate. “Utilising native plants is a sustainable choice that complements both environmental and aesthetic needs.”

Outdoor kitchens are another way to create a harmonic relationship between indoor outdoor living areas. They contribute to the comfort level of outdoor living, and their relationship to their interior counterpart makes for a more organically related space.  

“Imagine your outdoor kitchen as an extension of your indoor culinary space, seamlessly blending with the surroundings,” continues Kate. “Create versatility with modular furniture that can easily transition from the indoors to the outside. This approach allows for a fluid, dynamic space that adapts to your needs while maintaining a cohesive design.”

We’re certainly seeing a growing trend in people realising the entertainment potential of the outdoor kitchen through the incorporation of functional facilities and comfortable seating. "A lot more creativity is going into indoor and outdoor [spaces], creating seamless links that elevate the entertaining experience,” considers Lana Samuels, sales director at WHITEFOX Real Estate.  

“With more people choosing to entertain at home, we're seeing more focus on things like bar areas, fire pits, pergolas, barbecues, and other outdoor space enhancers, which families are increasingly keen to invest in so that they can bring everyone together in their own space."

An indoor-outdoor living guide wouldn’t be complete without considering the contemporary concept of an outdoor shower. Outdoor showers not only improve the functionality of your outdoor living environment by offering a convenient cleaning option but also add a striking visual element. 

ABI Interiors’ Sola Collection offers elegant outdoor showers that add value to your home. Made from rust-resistant 316-grade stainless steel, these fixtures come in four different finishes, allowing them to either complement your space or make a bold statement. 
 

These fixtures also have the potential to be easily immersed within the foliage of your outdoor environment. “For outdoor showers or pool areas, consider incorporating elements that stimulate the senses, such aromatic herbs or flowering vines,” says Kate. 

“To truly capitalise on the natural beauty of an outdoor setting, consider integrating indigenous plants and materials that resonate with the local environment, enhancing both the aesthetic and the sustainability of the space,” adds Brad. “For example, using native stone in outdoor showers can create a more immersive experience.”

Creating different zones in your outdoor space helps it better relate to some of the principles of interior design and contributes to a smoother indoor outdoor living connection. Consider mirroring your exterior flow to that of your interior — establishing easily designated sections for cooking, lounging, dining, and washing. 

These boundaries can be visually established by the strategic placement of lattice dividers, privacy screens, large pot plants, outdoor rugs, or retractable sliding shutters or doors that easily segregate different areas. 

In addition, if you have a porch, consider having it screened-in to establish another designated area that can accommodate both the indoor and outdoor environment (while protecting from outside pests).

Above all, seamless indoor outdoor living is about relaxed and welcoming spaces at home. With some imagination, you can easily perfect an accommodating outdoor space that naturally integrates with your interiors for a more tranquil home environment.

For more outdoor design solutions, read our blogs on:

Outdoor Renovation Ideas to Add Value to Your Home

Guide to the Best Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

The Grotto: Brutalist Architecture Meets Biophilic Design in This Modern Masterpiece

Also, consider booking a complimentary design consultation at our New Zealand Showroom.