Ask any real estate agent anywhere in the world and they’ll tell you that indoor-outdoor flow is as important as location, location, location. Many wise homeowners have picked up on this and invested in an outdoor room consisting of outdoor blinds and an opening roof – this liveable space is considered to be one of the best ways to achieve that very desirable indoor-outdoor flow in a home. The thing is, why is it so desirable?
If a real estate agent was to answer that question, they will more than likely tell you great indoor/outdoor flow makes a property more appealing to potential buyers. In today’s market, buyers are looking for a stylish outdoor living area that extends from the main body of the home, as this creates the impression of a larger home while offering the opportunity to enjoy an enviable lifestyle.
If you were to ask a homeowner why indoor-outdoor flow is so great, they will also most probably give an answer similar to the real estate agent. But, of course, they have a focus on enjoying their home rather than selling it. Indoor-outdoor flow helps them do that in several ways.
Think back to the Australian homes of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. In those days, the kitchen would invariably be at one end of the house, with the living and dining areas at the other end, and the garden very much out of sight, out of mind. That’s because it was outside the home’s four walls and was a place for growing vegetables, hanging out the washing, and hosting the occasional barbecue. And with older houses being designed in a way that restricted easy movement between indoor and outdoor areas, that merely extended the barrier between inside and outside.
So, when did indoor-outdoor flow become a priority for homeowners? There’s not one single reason. There are several including the theory that increased immigration from warm Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy brought with it a growing acceptance of alfresco dining and living. The Australian climate was every bit as warm and sunny as places like Italy and Greece, and locals started to accept that outdoor dining could be done on a regular basis and not just as an occasional barbecue by the Hills Hoist.
Modern home designs reflect this. Homeowners see indoor-outdoor flow as a way to bring warmth and light in from outside, while making a room seem bigger at the same time. Being able to open doors onto a deck and cook in the same area where you eat in the sun and fresh air is no longer a Mediterranean thing to do – it’s an Australian thing to do as well.
In short, good indoor-outdoor flow creates a space that makes the outdoor area feel like a natural extension of the indoors – and when it’s done really well, it gives the impression that the interior room is an extension of the exterior space. It’s a seamless link that promotes easy movement and communication between everyone in that area. No longer is mum and dad at one end of the house and the kids at the other. In modern style, everyone joins together in a stylish area where walls are surplus to requirements.
