With its temperate climate, Sydney provides plenty of opportunities for dining and entertaining outdoors year round. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to relax with after-work drinks and nibbles or a great entertaining spot, these tips will have you enjoying the outdoors all year.
Making the most of outdoors in Sydney
There are really only a few weeks of the year where you can’t enjoy al fresco living in Sydney and those are usually when it’s raining cats and dogs. You certainly don’t need to rug up inside during the winter months. A well designed al fresco area allows you to get the most out of your outdoor area.
We’ve put together some great tips on backyard designs to help you enjoy outdoor living in the Inner West whatever the season.
Four ideas for your backyard living room
1 Focal point
As for interior design, a focal point can really make your outdoor space feel welcoming, as well as making it pop. We love a green wall, a fire pit (gas-powered preferably) or a fireplace that add a welcoming touch.
These are a great place for family and friends to gather around, so making sure you have comfortable outdoor seating, and plenty of it, is important.
2 Warmth for winter
If you want to add some warmth for those cooler nights, an outdoor heater is a fantastic option. They are designed to heat small spaces quickly, and there are some great designs on the market.
The great thing about outdoor heaters is that there are so many options. Choose from wall mounted, ceiling mounted or standalone; there’s certainly something to suit your backyard style.
And fire pits or fireplaces can be gas-powered. If you have natural gas, talk to a designer or builder about how you can add a gas-powered fireplace or fire pit rather than a wood-burning option. Gas is cleaner, safer (with no stray embers flying around) , won’t pollute the atmosphere, you won’t need to worry about running out of wood, and it’s ready to go at the flick of a switch.
3 Outdoor cooking
Who doesn’t love cooking outdoors? In the middle of summer when it’s too hot to be in the kitchen, it’s easy to turn on the barbecue and serve fresh meals while enjoying the outdoors. Al fresco kitchens can go from simple through to the more elaborate. Before purchasing a barbecue and other outdoor cooking equipment like a pizza oven or a smoker, consider how many people you will be cooking for regularly, what kind of food you enjoy cooking and how you enjoy cooking. A pizza oven might be fun but it’s just a big pile of bricks in your yard if you don’t use it often enough.
When it comes to outdoor kitchens, you can have everything from a charcoal barbecue through to a built-in using natural gas. A built-in barbecue will always add value to your home as it turns your patio or backyard into an outdoor room to enjoy.
4 Entertainment
Many people install a television in the outdoor area, allowing them to host events for different sporting events and the like. Go one step further and design a space for a home cinema rental. Home cinemas are becoming extremely popular for birthday parties and other events, with local Inner West businesses Outdoor Movies Australia and Big Screen Hire renting outdoor cinema equipment.
Start living outdoors in your Inner West home
Summer might be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean enjoying your outdoor area needs to end as well. With these ideas above, you could enjoy al fresco living in Sydney all year.
Can we help with your Inner West home?
Whether you’re ready to sell or need help to rent your investment property, we have the experience and local knowledge to make your property journey easier.
Looking for help selling your home or renting your investment property? Our team at Belle Property Balmain support homeowners across Balmain, Balmain East, Birchgrove, Rozelle and Lilyfield. Feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation discussion or property appraisal.
