Enjoy the great outdoors year-round with an alfresco terrace

With our mild winters and balmy summer evenings, it’s no wonder we Aussies like to live life outside, and an alfresco terrace is the perfect place to do so.

Before you jump into the nitty-gritty of planning your alfresco terrace, take some time to think about how you’ll use it.

Fancy yourself an entertainer? Do you want to prepare and serve food on your alfresco terrace? An outdoor kitchen is a convenient way to entertain without having to run back and forth into the main house. An outdoor kitchen is fully customisable. For a smaller commitment, consider a built-in or portable BBQ, bar fridge, or pizza oven. If your kitchen adjoins your alfresco terrace, you’re in luck. Consider an indoor-outdoor kitchen set-up and save yourself money on plumbing and electricity.

Movie night enthusiasts can turn their alfresco terrace into an outdoor theatre. Choose a screen and projector set-up, or look into a TV suitable for outdoors. Either way, you’ll be settling down to a late-night movie in your very own outdoor space in no time.

If your main alfresco terrace priority is lounging, invest in high-quality outdoor furniture and consider ways to turn up the cosiness dial on your outdoor area with options like:

• Fire-pits for roasting marshmallows
• Bar fridge or drinks trolley for easy access to your favourite bevvies
• Warm blankets for keeping cosy on cooler nights
• Considered layouts that emphasise views of your other outdoor features, like water fountains or landscaping

Flooring

While many use the terms somewhat interchangeably, did you know there’s a difference between a deck and a patio? A deck is raised and usually has wooden flooring, whereas a patio is ground-level. Whichever option you prefer, choosing the right flooring is essential.

Decking: Typically made of timber, treated pine, or a composite material. Great for elevated spaces and adds warmth with its depth of colour and seamless blending into outdoor spaces.

Paving: A hardy option for outdoor spaces that see plenty of foot traffic. Options include concrete, natural stone, brick, or slate.

Shade solutions

Without shade, your alfresco terrace will be virtually unusable during large parts of the day in summer. Luckily, there are plenty of popular shade options for you to consider, like:

• Pergolas – made of timber, metal, brick, stone, or concrete, pergolas can be an excellent shade solution.
• Gazebos – An excellent choice for a customised look. Portable gazebo options are available to buy as well, though these are smaller and unlikely to provide the kind of shade you’ll need for your alfresco terrace.
• Shade sails – shade sails can be made in any type of shape, so they’re perfect as a relatively inexpensive option that still provides excellent shade.
• Retractable awnings – these are great options if your outdoor space doesn’t get much direct sun, as you’ll be able to retract them in winter to make the most of the winter sun.
• Shady foliage – a natural and aesthetically pleasing way to keep your outdoor space cool, plants not only provide shade, but also cool the soil. Either plant fully grown plants with dense foliage, or choose from fast-growing species.
• Patio cover – there are several popular types of patio covers to choose from, including timber, Colorbond, and aluminium. Patio covers can either be attached to your main home or freestanding.

Lighting

Whether you like your outdoor lighting ambient or accented, there’s a lighting option that’s right for you. Popular options include:

• Solar-powered lights
• String lights
• Lanterns
• Wired lighting

 Cooling

Australian summers can be brutal, so if you want to enjoy your alfresco terrace between November and March, you’ll need to invest in ways to keep cool.

Depending on what type of roofing you’ve chosen, a ceiling fan can work wonders to push stagnant air around and create a gentle breeze. If you live in a hotter part of the country, however, this might not be enough. In this case, consider a misting system, which will gently mist you and your guests intermittently to help you cool off.

Heating

Similarly, with the mild winters most of Australia experiences, there’s no reason not to spend your time outdoors in the cooler months. Consider heating options like:

• Gas-powered fire heaters
• Fire-pits
• Outdoor fireplaces
• Chimineas
• Infrared heating lamps

Pest protection

Enjoying long evenings outdoors is all fun and games…until the mozzies come out. To enjoy your alfresco terrace year-round, go for options like:

• Retractable mosquito nets or screens
• Mosquito coils or candles, but make sure they’re never left unsupervised
• Pest-repelling plants like citronella, basil, lavender or thyme

Weather protection

Keep your alfresco investment safe from wet and wild weather with a few simple tips and tricks. Choose:

• Privacy screens or windbreaks to protect from wind and rain
• Waterproof coverings and waterproofing treatment for outdoor furniture
• Removable cushions and soft furnishings that you can store inside during wet weather

Think living in an apartment means you can’t jump on the alfresco terrace trend? Think again! Your alfresco space can be anything you want it to be, whether you live in an apartment or a five-bedroom villa. For small spaces like balconies, consider options like:

• Small footprint furniture – fold-away tables allow you to dine on your balcony while maximising your use of the space.
• Greenery – planter boxes and vertical green walls can create a garden-like feeling on your balcony, regardless of size.
• Visual tricks – place mirrors strategically so they visually amplify the space. Be sure to place them so they don’t reflect the sun, or you’ll risk a nasty burn to yourself or your home.
• Lighting – minimise clutter by using wall-mounted lighting or string lights, which add a whimsical, romantic touch.

A renovation project of this scale is best left to the experts. To ensure your alfresco terrace is in good hands, turn to these professionals:

• Landscapers – a landscaper will be worth their weight in gold in the early stages of designing and building your alfresco terrace. Consult a landscaper on design, irrigation, planting, and more.
• Electricians – by law, a licensed electrician must carry out any jobs involving wired lighting or powerpoint installation. Hire a trusted, local electrician for your outdoor lighting and power access needs.
• Carpenters – a trusted chippy can design and build a custom deck or pergola, as well as any additional access points like stairs or ramps you need for your alfresco terrace. If you want to invest in custom outdoor furniture, a carpenter is your go-to expert.
• Plumbers – you’ll need a plumber to connect any outdoor water or gas access.