As the world undergoes a deadly pandemic, there has been a demand for more peaceful and relaxing architectural design. It’s not surprising that so many homeowners are aspiring to create an indoor and outdoor lifestyle through their homes, especially since we live in a time when it’s so much safer to stay home. It’s also no small wonder that interior design magazines and publications are featuring so many homes with biophilic design.
Aside from being trendy, another key benefit to combining our outdoor and indoor spaces is that we flood our home with gorgeous natural light, and it creates the illusion that our space is bigger than it is. Whether you are in the process of choosing a design for your new home or working with the property you already have, here are some helpful tips for seamlessly combining your indoor and outdoor areas:
Clearly define the purpose and demarcation between the spaces
Even though the goal is to blend the two areas, you still need to know where the indoor space starts and the outdoor space begins. Just as every area, corner, and room in your home serves a specific purpose, your front yard and backyard should also be established with a clear goal in mind.
To achieve this, you need to think of how the traffic can naturally flow in and out of your house, and which purpose every outdoor area can serve. Here are some examples of what you can do with your outdoor spaces:
- Outdoor dining area
- Firepit
- Cozy lounge area
- Playhouse for your children
When deciding on what to do with an outdoor space, consider the indoor space that is laid out beside it. For example, if your outdoor space is next to the kitchen or main dining hall, then it might be better to turn it into an additional dining area as well. This layout can help make it easier for you to transport meals from the kitchen and provides you with so much more seating areas when entertaining guests.
Secure your entire property
Don’t forget to invest in a durable and aesthetically pleasing fence as well. When you make outdoor living a regular part of your family’s lifestyle, you need to ensure that the kids and pets are safe from intruders or wild animals and that they won’t just be able to run out of the property.
Enlist the help of a vinyl fence contractor or specialist to find the best possible design that can suit your home the best. A reliable fence can help you have some more peace of mind knowing that your little ones are safe on the property.
Flood your home with natural light
If you are looking for a property, make big windows a priority. But if you’re already working with an older home with a more traditional design, consult with your architect and designer if it’s possible to tear down some walls so you can incorporate more windows, with floor-to-ceiling style as the priority. Flooding your home with natural light can instantly provide freshness into your house.
Aside from oversized windows, bi-folding doors are also an option. If privacy is not an issue, eliminate the window coverings. Once your home is drowning in natural light, you’ve already achieved half of your goal.
Match the designs for both spaces
If you truly want a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor areas, then you need to make sure that their designs match and coordinate with each other. Ensure that there is a common thread in the two spaces, whether it’s the colors, textures, or shapes. Since the outdoor areas are visible from your interiors, you want to ensure that the two spaces are extensions of each other and not two completely different dimensions.
When designing the outdoor space, make sure it’s as warm and inviting as possible. Use layers like area rugs, blankets, throws, pillows, coffee table books, and comfortable outdoor furniture.
Prioritize greenery or maximize the location
If you are lucky enough to have trees on your property, then make sure to maximize that by incorporating more plants in your indoor living spaces as well. The whole point of biophilic design is to bring human beings closer to nature, and pops of green can create the perfect transition between the two spaces and can smoothly tie them together.
In a time when our homes need to be a sanctuary, make yours as peaceful as it can be by surrounding it in nature and greenery. It might be the best design decision you make as a homeowner.
