outdoor flair all year

From habitat highlights - issue 40, outdoor rooms

Creating outdoor rooms helps you use your outdoor spaces year round.

An outdoor shower that luxurious and beachy

Privacy for this outdoor shower is provided by a corrugated iron wall painted in Resene Pale Slate and trimmed in Resene Half Baltic Sea.

Deck stained in Resene Woodsman Uluru, tongue-and-groove wall painted in Resene Half Baltic Sea, bench in Resene Nebula, pots and crate in Resene Vista White a round MDF hooks in Resene Vista White and Resene Nebula and table in Resene Colorwood Bask. Resene Living soap dispenser from Briscoes.

There's nothing like excellent indoor/outdoor flow to give your home a sense of scale, space and freedom. But it can get tricky when chilly, wet and windy weather strikes. A damp, cold, outdoor seating area isn't very inviting on a frosty day or evening.

To breathe new life – and use – into your outdoor areas in the cooler months, look for areas to turn into outdoor rooms and approach the design and styling just as you would your interiors.

Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey says this means starting with the feel and function you want to achieve.

“First, decide what ambience you want and how that fits into the design and function of the space. Look at the basics of colour. Are your colours warm or cool? And what are the undertones of the neutrals? You will also need to consider the aspect of your outdoor room,” she says.

Also bear in mind the colour of your property’s exterior if your outdoor room is close to the house and look for places to add tonally similar colours – or a bold contrast.

Shelter is also essential when it comes to using outdoor spaces in winter, so think about staining wooden trellis screens in on-trend deep shades like Resene Woodsman Crowshead, which looks dramatic against lighter home exterior colours, such as ever-popular Resene Sea Fog and Resene Black White.

Resene FX Faux Rust Effect is another unique way to add warm colour and visual texture on décor pieces like planters or trellis – and its use is sure to be a talking point.

That sounds like a great place to start planning your outdoor room!

Outdoor shower

There’s something about an outdoor shower at home that feels inherently luxurious and reminiscent of balmy beach holidays.

Try to position your shower as close as possible to a door, with a clear path that’s friendly to bare feet for quick trips back inside after a shower in the chill night air. Remember, this is both a functional space and a fun outdoor room, so add shelves, hooks and baskets for storing clothing and towels.

As it’s a wet area, consider using Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path, which has a built-in textured finish to help prevent accidental slipping. It comes in a low sheen finish and can be tinted to suit your chosen colour scheme.

Retreat space

You can easily turn a naturally sheltered corner of your deck or backyard into a relaxing retreat.

An outdoor relaxing retreat in warm neutrals

Leafy palms and natural fibres make this sheltered spot feel like it could be in an exotic hotel, perfect for a ‘getaway’ at home.

The tongue-and-groove wall is painted in Resene Spanish White and the decking is stained in Resene Woodsman Tiri. Pots in Resene Spanish White, large palm pot in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and top of side table in Resene Nullarbor. Chair and large palm from Danske Møbler, rust cushion from Baya, cream cushions from H&M Home.

Fill it with soft furnishings such as cushions, bean bags and throws to add an essential layer of comfort and, of course, warmth.

The upholstery on your outdoor furniture must be weatherproof unless you're willing to pack it away when not in use. But you can add another layer of comfort with softer, plush fabrics that are simpler to store.

Wools, fake fur, chenille and velvet are especially inviting in the chill, as are deep jewel colours accented with pops of bright contrast. Add plenty of plants in pots painted in your favourite Resene colours; a great way to use up spare Resene testpots.

Warm outdoor room utilising greenery and cosy textiles

Greenery and cosy textiles add warmth to this outdoor room.

Batten wall stained in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Charred Black. The floor is painted in a base of Resene Gunsmoke sponged with Resene Triple Concrete and Resene Quarter Concrete, bench seat in Resene Woodsman Bark, Cape Cod chair and large planter in Resene Shark and small planter in Resene Off The Grid. Plant from Danske Møbler, cushions from Baya.

Fire pit

There's nothing quite like the glow of a flickering fire to lure everyone outside on a wintery night. Just look for a spot sheltered from the wind by a wall of your home, a fence or a moveable screen.

Consider painting the walls around your firepit in darker colours, such as Resene Carpe Noctem, or use Resene Woodsman Treehouse stain so the space feels drawn-in and cosy.

If an open fire is unsuitable for your yard, look at other options, such as gas braziers and the new generation of electric infrared heaters. And remember to think about lighting too. If your firepit area does not have electricity, a great range of solar outdoor lights are available.

Top tips

Resene Waterborne Woodsman exterior wood stain is fast drying and easily cleaned up with water. Choose the Resene CoolColour version if you are planning to use a dark colour to help reflect more heat. Reapply it about every two summers for maximum protection.
Get a new look on old concrete with Resene ConcreteWash, available in a range of subtle sheer colours.

Colours mentioned in this article

outdoor flair all year

Outdoor shower

Retreat space

Fire pit

Top tips

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