If lockdowns taught us anything it’s the value of having a sanctuary within our home – a place we can escape to relax and unwind. With Australia’s temperate climate, it makes sense to create that sanctuary outdoors.

Maximising your outdoor space is simply about increasing the functionality so that you spend more time out there. How you go about doing so will differ depending on where you live and your lifestyle.

If you’re not sure what to do, start by asking yourself what you will get the most use out of. If entertaining is high on your list, creating a functional entertainment space would be ideal. If you are a keen gardener, add in some landscaping or gardens you can enjoy on your days off. Below are some more ideas to consider if you’re looking to maximise your outdoor space.

1. Upgrade your storage

Nothing makes a space less appealing than clutter. Whether it’s the kids’ toys, gardening tools or overflow from the house, make your outdoor space more functional by adding in some clever storage. Add a built-in bench or choose furniture with hidden storage, hang bikes or tools on a wall, install a lockbox or shed. Create enough storage space so that everything has a home – and then add in a little extra to account for expansion. 

2. Add in a vegetable garden

Why not maximise your outdoor space and reduce your grocery bill in one fell swoop with a veggie patch? Growing your own produce is incredibly rewarding and has the added benefit of nourishing your family. Plus, children who are resistant to eating veggies can sometimes come around to enjoying them when they’ve played a part in growing them, so it could be a win win all around.

3. Build a deck

There’s very good reason why the experts agree that a deck pays for itself in added value to your home. Whether it’s entertaining friends or whiling away an afternoon in the shade with a good book, a deck offers immense functionality. More elegant than your average cement porch and more practical than a small balcony, the right deck design can effectively provide you with a stylish outdoor living space that you can enjoy all year round.

4. Add a patio

A patio can offer you protection from the elements so you can spend more time enjoying your outdoor space regardless of the weather. As an added bonus, it can also keep your home cooler in the summer months by reducing the amount of direct sunlight that hits your windows. From skillion to gable, flyover to freestanding, there are numerous patios to choose from depending on your preferred style and what works best with the architecture of your home.

5. Install an outdoor fire pit

Imagine sipping a glass of wine while stargazing or roasting marshmallows with the kids without having to leave the comfort of your own home. A fire offers a certain ambiance that no other source of light can replicate. Ideal for entertaining, a fire pit can also be used to grill meats, veggies and other foods. You can get a custom-built fire pit or you can pick up one up from your local hardware store. Be sure to take adequate precautions and suitably prepare the space to prevent fire hazards. 

6. Consider an enclosed space

If the weather in your region isn’t as temperate as other parts of Australia or you’re looking for additional protection from the elements, you may benefit from a patio enclosure. Surround an outdoor space with screens or glass to transform a semi-functional area into one that can be utilised through the coldest, wettest or insect-ridden months of the year.  

7. Eke out a dedicated play area for the kids

Get the kids outdoors more often by creating a play space they can’t get enough of. Whether it’s a swing set, slide, sandpit or something else that will keep them occupied for hours on end, dedicate a section of your outdoor space to their entertainment. As kids have a way of spreading their toys and playthings far and wide, it may also help to build some storage nearby too to keep belongings packed away.

If you feel like you could use some help figuring out how to make the most of your outdoors space, find an Apollo Patios Builder in your local area now.

If you’re looking into home improvements, chances are you’ve come across several terms you’re not familiar with. And while it’s not always vital that you know exactly what everything is if you’re working with a team to bring it to life, it’s also nice to be able to follow the conversation.

Our Apollo Patio partners go to great lengths to explain everything in simple to understand language. Yet, there are some building terms that can be helpful to familiarise yourself with so that, when you’re talking about the nitty gritty details of the build, you feel informed.

Eaves

Where your roof meets the top of your wall there is a little overhang or lip. These are the eaves. Their function is to prevent rainwater, snow and other debris from running straight down your walls, windows and doors and causing damage. They also offer a small amount of shade by protecting living spaces from direct sunlight. Eaves are much more than solely functional, however, offering an opportunity to add character and design to your structure. You can choose from:

Open eaves: the rafters underneath are left exposed,

Closed eaves: the underside of the roof is hidden,

Boxed in: similar to a closed eave, the roof rafters are also hidden but at the same angle as the roof itself,

Abbreviated eaves: only the smallest extension beyond the side of the structure.

Fascia

The fascia on a building refers to the wooden board or metal profile that sits under the eave. It is typically what the gutter is attached to, which of course offers further protection from water and debris. The fascia also prevents animals, insects and pests from creeping into the roof cavity and adds to the aesthetic appeal of a structure by concealing the rough ends of roof rafters.

Gabled roof

A gabled roof is like an a-frame or a pitched tent – one where two sides slope down towards the wall. The “gable” is the triangular portion of the wall that sits between the two traversing roof pitches. One of the more common types of roofing, a gabled roof can be a cost-effective option as they are simple to construct.

Soffit

The soffit forms the under part of your eaves. It is the material used underneath the eave and provides the basic function of protecting the rafters. Soffits can be timber, aluminium, fibre cement board or vinyl and the best material will depend on your climate along with your preferred finish.

Skillion

Another roofing style, a skillion has only one angled and sloping side, rather than two that meet in the middle. Where a flat roof will have only a slight pitch to allow for adequate drainage, a skillion roof will have a visible slope. Frequently found on patios and sheds, this kind of roof, with its clean lines, can offer a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Rafter

Typically made from wooden or steel beams, the rafters usually angled or pitched, make up the underlying framework of the roof. They are fitted together to act as a support network to hold up the roof sheets, shingles and all other components that comprise the roof.

Flashing

Flashings help to protect joints and edges from taking in water or absorbing moisture. Made from a thin sheet of waterproof material such as sheet metal, they’re found at roof intersections and around doors, windows and chimneys.

Joist

The joist is the flat wooden horizontal framework that makes up the bottom of the roof or the ceiling. They fit together with the studs (the vertical part of the framework) to act as the foundational structure of a building.

Insulated panel

Insulated panel is comprised of a layer of insulating material sandwiched between two layers of structural board/steel. As the panels are firm, compressed and weighty, they are highly effective insulators, perfect for warm, humid and cold climates, usually giving some thermal insulation.

Single skin roof

A single skin roof is most commonly a type of roofing designed for patios, carports and pergolas. Consisting of one layer of steel finished with a high gloss, it is lightweight, durable and designed to reflect sunlight. Each panel clips together to form a weather-tight seal. The panels are easy to clean, low maintenance and simple to install making them an affordable option.