Create a holistic living experience by linking your house and garden and enjoy the benefits of bringing the outdoors in.
Open up the doors
How you open up the space between your garden and house is key to connecting the two areas of your home. While every property is different the common denominator in linking inside and outside spaces is your doors.
Whether you have sliding, bifold or French doors, they determine how much light comes in as well as provide access between the property and the outside space. Bifold doors offer an uninterrupted view of the garden and allow you to create the feeling of a singular space. Sliding doors are not as unobtrusive but give spacious access to the garden, deck or patio.
If your property doesn’t suit these types of doors, stylish French doors are a great alternative. French door costs are typically lower than sliding and bifold options too which is always a bonus.
Extend your vision
Building an extension allows you to create a physical connection between your house and garden. Whether you put up a rear extension, side return or install a conservatory you will be able to blend the inside space with the garden. Even if the outside space is on a different level from the floor of your extension it’s possible to link the two.
When the ground outside is lower, adding a deck or patio immediately outside the doors so that you don’t have to step down as you go out makes for a smoother transition. Introduce steps at the edge of the deck or patio to give access to the garden. Wide steps make the change in levels look more harmonious.
Focus on floors
To visually blur the boundary between the house and garden it’s a good idea to use the same type of flooring. Natural stone and in particular porcelain, is ideal for this as the same tiles can be used internally and externally. Polished concrete can also be used in this way.
Being exposed to the elements does mean that the external flooring won’t always match the inside floor as it will age differently. This is why having the same type of timber flooring inside and out won’t work as the external wood will weather to a different colour over time.
Decisive decor
Make a conscious decision to use similar colours, themes and plants inside and outside to create a physical connection between the two spaces. Focus on the transition area around the doors to use both obvious and subtle links such as having the same plants internally and externally.
Using the same colours, similar soft furnishings for seating areas and ornaments such as wind chimes inside and out strengthens the connectivity between the two areas. Design elements made from materials like terracotta, stone or wood in the house bring natural details inside, further linking the garden with your home.
Lighting links
As well as the decor, you can use lighting to merge your garden and home into one beautiful living space. Mirror the lighting in your extension with the external lights on your deck or in the garden to tie the two spaces together.
Use strategic lighting at night to highlight features outside such as a beautiful tree or garden sculpture. This creates interest in the external space and provides a focal point even after the sun goes down. It also prevents your garden from looking like a black void from inside the house at night.
