Three designer al fresco zones to inspire your next outdoor makeover

With summer well and truly upon us, it’s time to eat, drink and, most certainly, be merry under the sun or stars. And where better to do that than in our own backyards?

Australians have long led the way in indoor-outdoor living, and have proved that stylish and supremely purposeful al fresco zones can come in all shapes and sizes.

Take inspiration from three of Australia’s design doyennes and reimagine your outdoor domain as a suburban sanctuary that will truly be a breath of fresh air.

Courtyard chic

Through curated furnishings that are sophisticated yet inviting, Melbourne-based designer and art consultant Swee Lim of Swee Design has created a palpable sense of calm for the owners of her Jade House project.

“The kitchen and living room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding door, looks directly onto this central courtyard,” Lim says. “A pool is situated at the end.”

With the courtyard inviting daylight and greenery into the home, a cohesive link between house and garden was essential.

“It was important that the two spaces were integrated in terms of the style of furniture, colour palette and materials,” Lim says.

Cosh Living’s voluptuous Tosca two-seater outdoor sofa and armchairs were selected and paired with the Tosca stone coffee table with style and durability in mind.

“The contrast of the dark frame with the light-grey upholstery is dramatic and creates a rich, luxe feel,” Lim says.

Just as essential is that the practicality box was ticked.

“The furniture is very comfortable and tough, and the seating layout works for conversation,” Lim says.

What are her top tips for a compact al fresco zone?

“Scale is very important when space is tight,” she says. “Round cafe-style dining tables are good, alongside stackable chairs. “And I like to use armchairs to break up a sofa setting. Multifunctional pieces – ottomans that double as seats or coffee tables – can also be handy.”

Don’t forget the finishing touches.

“Layer the space with plant pots to add greenery,” Lim says, “and dress an outdoor area as you would an indoor one, with beautiful accessories.”

The big picture

Lauren Mahoney, founder and creative director of interior design firm Studio Trio, relished the chance to inject new life into the outdoor room of a heritage home in Sydney.

With the fully covered zone extended, Mahoney worked her magic on the decor. At once classic and contemporary, the elevated domain employs colour, texture and pattern to masterful effect.

“I wanted the area to be ‘dressed up’ like the interiors, so it would become an extension of the lounge room.”

Graphic Moroccan-style handmade floor tiles – Southern Cross Oxford tiles with a black, honed granite border from Surface Gallery – delineate the expansive balcony.

A Victoria three-seater teak sofa from Harbour Outdoor, plumped up with outdoor cushions, anchors the balcony’s chill-out zone.

Motorised screen blinds and a Jetmaster Patio Horizon Panoramic fireplace – surrounded by tactile Bronte Rock Cladding from Surface Gallery – make the space fit for all seasons.

Rustic revelation

It’s difficult to believe this Mediterranean-inspired outdoor kitchen and dining space, framed by cascading ornamental grapevine and showcasing a gloriously rustic palette, is in inner Melbourne.

Conceived by interior designer Katie Sargent of Katie Sargent Design, the poolside zone links to the Spanish Mission-style home.

“We pored over images of other Spanish Mission houses, many from California, to collate a scene that we wanted to achieve for this outdoor area,” Sargent says. ”We knew we wanted texture and an organic feel, hence the Moroccan Zellige outdoor kitchen splashback tiles and brick joinery surround.”