Outdoor Winter trends for 2021
With Australia’s temperate climate and our love of entertaining, outdoor spaces continue to get a workout in the cooler months. Simple and functional updates can work wonders to transform a basic outdoor patio into a year-round entertaining and living area that really feels like an extension of your home. Here are some of the designs and living trends warming up outdoor spaces in Australia this winter.
Turn up the heat with an outdoor fireplace
Heating is a must to ensure comfort during the cooler months, and while there’s a host of patio heating options out there, there’s something about a fireplace that serves up a cosy and sophisticated ambience in equal measure. Creating a fireplace, like we have done on our recent project in Brighton Lakes, NSW (pictured) truly brings a sense of the indoors, out, while serving as a design statement that truly anchors the whole space together.
Room with a view
It’s possible to create another room out of your patio with the help of a transparent patio roof and wrap-around bi-fold doors. The addition of ‘Rooflites’ into Stratco’s Cooldek or Outback roofing allows natural light into the space whilst still providing insulative properties for the Cooldek. Transforming your patio into a conservatory for the winter months is a great way to take advantage of winter sun, all whilst shielding you from the cool air. It also allows you to protect those plants that are not hardy enough to survive very frosty mornings.
Alternatively Stratco’s Ambient Outdoor Blinds offer protection from UV rays, nasty insects in summer, and cold wind in the cooler months. Stratco’s Ambient Blinds also offer protection from wet weather and come in a range of different fabric types, colours, and operation options. Complete motorisation, crank driven, or spring assisted operation provides our clients with choices to suit their budget.
Privacy screening
Screening is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, offering privacy and protection from the cool draughts in winter. We often work with Stratco Ezi-Slat screening, which can be custom-designed to suit your project. It’s available in a wide variety of powder coated colours and wood grain finishes, which means it can blend in seamlessly to suit any colour scheme you desire. If you prefer a burst of greenery, plants offer a lush and tranquil spin on a privacy screen.
Sustainable design
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to opting for more environmentally friendly materials and design elements to update our outdoor areas. From recycled metals and timbers to fibre cement, composites, solar-powered lighting and eco-certified framing, there are plenty of ways to create a sustainable and stylish outdoor space. We work with a variety of materials and can easily guide you on the best solutions for your space.
Let there be colour
Coloured décor is an effective way to upgrade your space and ensure that it flows well with your interior living areas. Sometimes, simple touches such as lounge upholstery, cushions and pot plants in complementary accent colours, can have the greatest impact.
Smart storage solutions
If you want to maximize the space on your patio there are plenty of clever storage solutions out there. Look for multifunctional furniture such as a chair with under-seat storage or a low storage shelf that doubles as a sitting bench if needed. You can also get dining settings with adjustable tables to accommodate small or large gatherings of people as you need.
Cooking up a storm
Nothing says entertaining quite like a professional BBQ set-up. The addition of permanent screening and an engineered pergola roof will ensure your outdoor kitchen set-up stays in peak condition year-round. All you need now are the steaks!