Aussies love making the most of outdoor living spaces, with many homeowners putting a lot of time and design dollars into the verandah, deck or pergola to be able to use it year round.
If winter weather keeps you inside for a few months or more, let yourself be tempted back outdoors.
Modern inclusions mean you can enjoy cosy evenings and alfresco lunches with just a few tweaks around heating and decorating.
Landscape designer Dean Herald of Rolling Stone Landscapes (rollingstonelandscapes.com) in Sydney says that the past five years have seen an increase in demand for outdoor winter living solutions.
‘It all comes down to enjoyment and feeling comfortable,’ says Dean.
‘If you re-create that outdoors, then you are really extending the usability of the space.
‘People tend to understand the appeal of evening entertaining but they overlook the pleasure of long lunches on crisp winter days with the sun on your back.
‘Being well prepared for it is the key.’