OUTDOOR KITCHENS
HOW TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE INDOOR- OUTDOOR FLOW
Indoor-outdoor living has become one of the most popular features in modern renovations, with no sign of slowing down. Whether you want a full open plan kitchen which extends to a fully equipped cover area with outdoor dining and highend outdoor cooking facilities, or you go for something more simple like bi-fold doors onto a patio to enjoy your morning coffee, the goal is the same: blurring the boundaries between inside and out to create a home that feels bigger, brighter and effortlessly relaxed. Get it right, and this approach transforms everyday living into something special.
Plan around your lifestyle Before you knock down walls or order bi-folds, the most important question is how you realistically want to use the space day to day, and what benefits you can bring to your kitchen. Do you want your kitchen to feel less dark and cramped, with open space and doors that flood the room with natural light? Or are you after a space that works equally for quiet weekday breakfasts as it does for hosting friends at the weekend?
It’ s easy to get carried away by the Instagram version of indoor-outdoor living, but the best designs come from thinking about everyday reality: family meals, working from home, relaxed evenings, not just the handful of sunny weekends we get each year. When a kitchen is designed around how you actually live rather than just thinking about the look and style, the flow between inside and out becomes natural and useful all year round.
Doors do the heavy thing If there’ s one element that defines indoor-outdoor flow, it’ s the doors. They set the tone both visually and practically. Bi-fold doors are probably the most popular choice for achieving the indoor-outdoor look, folding back completely to merge your garden with the living area. Sliding doors are another popular choice, and generally more affordable than bi-fold, while still looking sleek and modern.
Crittal-style doors are another option, perfect if you want to add a little character. Their slim metal frames create an appealing, simple grid that lets in plenty of light, while subtly dividing the space without closing it off. Whichever style you choose, it’ s worth paying attention to the details, low thresholds, and
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