Unlike the old adage, “It’s what’s on the inside that counts”, designing Australian homes is all about celebrating the outside. In particular, the connection between our kitchen, dining and entertaining spaces is an integral part of the Australian lifestyle. And it really doesn’t matter whether you simply have a barbecue on your deck or a custom-built outdoor kitchen. The key is ‘connection’ with your interiors. “Creating indoor outdoor connections often makes interior spaces feel larger and gives a more refined outdoor living experience,” says Christopher Gyzemyter of CG Design Studio.
But don’t take our word for it! Tour five gorgeous homes, with strong indoor outdoor connectivity, to see how it’s done. Read on for inspiration, decorating ideas and advice from the professionals. Then you can plan and design your own seamless indoor and outdoor zones.
Discover 5 ways to connect indoor outdoor zones

Reach new heights
Opening indoor outdoor cooking zones
A harmonious balance between these interconnected kitchen and dining spaces was created structurally and through the use of complementary materials. “We achieved a ceiling height of 3.6m. We ran our joinery to the ceiling to make the space feel expansive. I was able to create indoor outdoor flow by having one single cavity sliding door that opens up and tucks away into a pocket in the wall,” says Becky Smout, co-owner and design director of Smout Property. “Opening the kitchen to the living and outdoor space gives the illusion of a bigger floor plate.” Polished concrete floors, brass fittings from Parisi, Fantasy Ash feature marble from Franca Design and Oak Laminate by Laminex give the space an earthy yet high-end feel.

Lean in to open plan design
Creating easy flow
The open-plan layout of this spacious Sydney home spills onto an alfresco kitchen and dining area. It was designed and built by Stritt Design & Construction. Blue and white accents and touches of greenery hint at the interior palette of the home. The handmade splashback tiles from Di Lorenzo Tiles and V-Groove on the wall were also used in the main kitchen. Designer (and homeowner) Janette believes aspect, layout and functionality are a major consideration in design. “An open-plan kitchen/living/dining area with an easy transition to the outdoors is key for everyday living,” she says. Being their own client gave Janette and her husband Alex the opportunity to create a sanctuary. It blurs the lines between indoor outdoor zones.

“Custom decorative windows, transoms, French doors and large-scale timber sliding doors are some of our favourite key components”
Janette, Stritt Design & Construction

Put function first
Connecting indoor outdoor colour schemes
CG Design Studio have made sure this family home functions well for day-to-day living. It is also adaptable for entertaining. “Key considerations were of course the functionality of the kitchen. It has a large island for gathering and to the side a butler’s pantry that leads to a mud room/drop zone, keeping everyone organised,” says Christopher of CG Design Studio. “The dining area sits beside the kitchen and has expansive corner timber doors that slide back to reveal the outdoor area, tree gully and pool. This large opening was one of the key considerations of this design as it allows a seamless connection to the outdoor living area, blurring the lines between interior and exterior.” This blurring of the indoor outdoor zones is harmonious as well as inviting.

“The kitchen is often the room we spend the most time in and where we connect with our family, so having this space also connect with the outdoor landscape is important and grounding”
Christopher, CG Design Studio

Create a cohesive colour palette
Continuing materiality
The kitchen, dining and outdoor zones in this property are light, bright and unobstructed. This was by design, as entertaining and kids enjoying pool time are a big part of family life in this Queensland home. A fresh colour palette of white and blue is achieved with cabinetry painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter, ‘Vintage’ splashback tiles in Oslo from Classic Ceramics, as well as blue striped blinds, which complement the tones of the pool outside.

The large island, topped with Stoneville Calacatta Venezia, is flanked with white ‘Chippendale’ counter stools from Abide Interiors. It is the perfect spot for guests to perch and also enjoy looking out to the alfresco dining zone, which is linked via wide stacking doors.


Make use of the same shapes and tones
Creating motifs
Coastal elegance is also celebrated in this duplex renovation by property developers Kyal & Kara in their Bay Builds project. The neutral tones of the Cosentino ‘Vancouver’ quartzite used for the kitchen benchtops and rangehood are a great match for the paving used in the adjoining outdoor area. And when it came to furniture, the curves and arches in the kitchen and living space are mirrored with the round Globe West outdoor table and also the pool by Backyard Retreats. Adding texture in both spaces are ‘Olivia’ stools in the kitchen and ‘Granada Scoop’ chairs, all from Globe West. This design is a masterclass in using complementary tones and textures to create cohesion as well as visual interest.
