The Great Australian Dream: Redefined
There is something uniquely Australian about the transition from the kitchen to the deck. Whether it is the smell of a barbecue on a Saturday afternoon or the peaceful quiet of a coffee at sunrise, our homes have always been more than just four walls. In the modern landscape of Australian housing, the trend has shifted from the traditional backyard toward integrated outdoor living. For those embarking on the journey of an owner builder kit home, this presents a golden opportunity. You are not just building a structure; you are designing a lifestyle.
Choosing a kit home gives you a unique level of creative control. Because you are managing the project and tailoring the fit out, you can prioritize the spaces that matter most to your daily life. In Australia, that almost always means extending your living area beyond the glass sliding doors. This guide explores how to design your kit home for seamless outdoor entertaining, ensuring your new build feels twice its size and perfectly suited to the local climate.
Designing for Flow: The Indoor-Outdoor Connection
The secret to a successful outdoor entertaining space lies in the flow. If your deck feels like an afterthought or a separate entity, it will not get the use it deserves. When reviewing floor plans for your kit home, look for layouts that place the main living, dining, and kitchen areas adjacent to your primary outdoor space.
The Kitchen as the Hub
In a modern design & lifestyle context, the kitchen serves as the control center. Positioning your kitchen near the rear of the home allows for easy service to the outdoor area. Consider incorporating a servery window, which is a popular trend in Australian residential design. This allows you to pass drinks and plates directly from the benchtop to guests outside, keeping the cook involved in the conversation while maintaining a tidy interior.
Expansive Openings
Visual continuity is key. Large glass sliding doors or stacker doors are staples of the Australian kit home aesthetic. When these doors are open, the line between your living room and your verandah disappears. This not only invites the breeze in but also floods your interior with natural light, a hallmark of high quality Australian design. Using a kit home supplier that includes high quality windows and doors in the package ensures that these critical elements are integrated into your frame design from day one.
The Strength of the Foundation: Steel Frames and Decks
While the design is about lifestyle, the durability is about the materials. Most premium Australian kit homes utilize BlueScope TRUECORE steel frames. This is particularly advantageous when planning for large open plan areas and wide door spans. Steel has an impressive strength to weight ratio, allowing for larger spans without the need for intrusive support pillars that might block your view of the garden.
Furthermore, steel frames are straight and true, which makes the installation of those large glass doors much smoother for the owner builder. There is no warping or twisting over time, meaning your transition to the outdoors remains effortless for the life of the home. When you are building in Australian conditions, where termites and harsh weather are constant considerations, having a termite resistant steel skeleton provides peace of mind while you enjoy your outdoor oasis.
Practical Tips for Your Outdoor Entertaining Area
Designing the space is one thing; making it functional is another. Here are some actionable tips for owner builders to consider during the planning phase:
- Orientation: Position your outdoor area to catch the morning sun but remain shaded during the heat of the afternoon. In Australia, a north facing outdoor area is often the gold standard for year round comfort.
- External Flooring: Choose a flooring material for your deck or patio that sits at the same level as your internal floor. This creates a flush transition that makes the two spaces feel like one continuous room.
- Lighting and Power: Do not forget to plan for external power points and lighting. Festoon lights or recessed LED downlights in the eaves can transform a daytime deck into a sophisticated evening lounge.
- Ceiling Fans: Even in a semi open space, a ceiling fan can make a world of difference during a humid Australian summer. Ensure your kit home roof design allows for the necessary wiring and structural support.
Creating 'Rooms' Outdoors
One of the biggest mistakes people make with outdoor spaces is leaving them as one giant, empty square. To truly embrace the lifestyle aspect of your kit home, think about zoning your outdoor area. You might have a dedicated dining zone with a large table, a lounging zone with comfortable outdoor sofas, and perhaps even a small nook for an outdoor fire pit or water feature.
Using different textures can help define these zones. For example, a timber deck might transition into a paved area for the barbecue. Many owner builders find that by adding these layers of detail after the main kit home structure is complete, they can personalize the home to their specific family needs without overcomplicating the initial build.
The Owner Builder Advantage: Customizing the Fit Out
As an owner builder, you have the flexibility to choose finishes that reflect your personal style. While the kit provides the structural integrity of the steel frames, cladding, and roofing, the soul of the home comes from your choices in tiles, paint, and landscaping. When extending your living area, consider using a similar color palette for both your indoor and outdoor furniture. This visual trick tricks the eye into seeing the two spaces as a single, massive room.
Living in a kit home also means you are often working with a modern, clean lined aesthetic. Corrugated steel cladding or sleek weatherboards work beautifully with natural timber decking and native Australian greenery. This blend of industrial strength and natural beauty is a staple of contemporary Australian architecture.
Weather Proofing Your Lifestyle
Australia is a land of extremes. To get the most out of your outdoor space, you need to plan for all seasons. Incorporating flyscreens on your large sliding doors is essential for enjoying the breeze without the bugs. Additionally, consider the pitch of your roof and the overhang of your eaves. Large eaves can provide much needed shade in summer while allowing lower winter sun to penetrate and warm the home.
If you are building in a bushfire prone area (BAL rated zones), your kit home supplier can provide materials that meet specific safety requirements. Steel frames and non combustible cladding are excellent choices here, allowing you to enjoy your beautiful surroundings with an added layer of protection and compliance.
Conclusion: Your Home, Your Horizon
Building a kit home is a journey of empowerment. It allows you to take the reigns and create a dwelling that truly reflects the way you want to live. By focusing on extending your living area into the outdoors, you are creating a home that breathes with the landscape and provides a sanctuary for family and friends.
From the structural reliability of a BlueScope steel frame to the finishing touches of a perfectly placed outdoor kitchen, every decision you make as an owner builder adds value to your lifestyle. So, as you look over your floor plans, look beyond the walls. Imagine where the sun will fall, where the breeze will flow, and where your best memories will be made. That is the true beauty of an Australian kit home.
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