With summer around the corner, now’s the time to blur the line between indoors and out. A few simple updates can turn your patio, deck, or balcony into a natural extension of your home. Read more here.

Bringing the Indoors Out — Easy Updates for a Seamless Summer

The first warm breeze, the longer evenings — it all signals the same thing: summer is almost here. And as Kiwis, that means shifting our lives outdoors. Meals move to the deck, morning coffee heads to the sunniest corner, and weekends become a rotation of barbecues, garden projects, and evening catch-ups under the stars.

But the biggest design shift we’re seeing isn’t just about outdoor furniture or new plantings — it’s about creating flow. Today’s outdoor living trend is all about blurring the boundary between inside and out, making the exterior feel like a natural continuation of the home. It’s stylish, inviting, and — with a few simple updates — entirely achievable without blowing the budget.

Designing for flow
A truly connected outdoor space feels cohesive. That starts with a sense of visual and material continuity. If you’re renovating, consider carrying flooring materials, like timber decking or large-format tiles, through to the threshold so there’s a seamless line from kitchen to courtyard. Even if your project is smaller, repeating textures, colours, and accessories creates the same effect. Cushions, throws, planters, or lanterns that echo your indoor palette instantly tie the spaces together.

Lighting is another detail that transforms atmosphere. Warm-toned outdoor bulbs or solar lanterns soften transitions between day and night, while festoon lights strung over a pergola or fence line add an easy festive feel. A well-lit space encourages you to stay outside longer — and adds a touch of magic to even the smallest deck.

Affordable updates to do now
You don’t need a big budget to achieve that resort feel at home. A few thoughtful changes can completely refresh your outdoor space before summer arrives.

• Revive tired surfaces: A weekend with a waterblaster and a fresh coat of oil, stain, or paint can make decks, fences, and outdoor furniture look new again.
• Layer your comfort: Outdoor cushions, beanbags, and rugs bring the same softness and warmth as an indoor lounge. Look for weather-resistant fabrics in natural tones for an easy match with existing décor.
• Bring in greenery: Plants are the fastest way to make a space feel alive. Group large pots in corners, add hanging planters, or create a small herb garden near the kitchen door. Mix native grasses with flowering annuals for colour and texture.
• Define your zones: Even in small spaces, create distinct areas for dining, lounging, or gardening. A simple outdoor rug or change in furniture layout helps define each space.
• Add shade and shelter: Umbrellas, awnings, and pergolas don’t have to be expensive — even a fabric sail or reed screen can make hot days more comfortable and extend your use of the area.
• Light the night: Solar stake lights, candles in lanterns, or a small firepit (where permitted) can create an instant evening ambience.

Making the most of every metre
Even small spaces can feel generous with the right design thinking. Balconies and courtyards benefit from vertical planting — climbing vines, trellises, or tall pots draw the eye upward and add lushness without taking up floor space. Multi-purpose furniture, like benches with storage or folding tables, helps keep things tidy and flexible.

For larger backyards, think of your outdoor area as a series of rooms — a dining zone, a relaxation corner, maybe even an outdoor prep station near the barbecue. Use changes in paving, lighting, or planting to subtly separate zones while keeping the overall design unified.

A fresh season, a fresh outlook
Creating seamless indoor-outdoor flow isn’t about perfection — it’s about ease. When your outdoor area feels like part of your living space, it becomes somewhere you naturally gravitate to for every occasion — from early morning sun to evening unwind.

So dust off the deck, roll out the rug, add some life with greenery and light — and let the season take over. Summer’s coming, and it’s time to live a little more outdoors.