An outdoor veranda, patio or loggia is an excellent way to extend living space for you and your guests, but before making your decision you should carefully consider several considerations.
Have you found that your balcony receives full exposure to direct sunlight all day long? Cacti, many flowers, and some greens thrive under direct sunlight; other plants may not.
Loggias and Verandas
Planning an addition can be a challenging experience, so selecting an outdoor space can be difficult. Consider what purpose the space serves and its desired aesthetic: exposed garden verandahs Adelaide, balconies, pergolas, gazebos or lanais may all offer options that could work.
Loggias have long been a hallmark of Italian architecture and remain an indispensable feature in European homes today. A loggia provides the ideal place for relaxation while taking advantage of the outdoors with drinks in hand surrounded by lush plants and perhaps one or two lounge chairs for lounging around on.
Verandas have an intriguing modern history and are frequently found in Australian homes that incorporate the Victorian Filigree architectural style. They typically feature decorative wrought iron or cast iron “lace” screens with wood fretwork fretwork.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor living spaces add functionality to your backyard without the expense of an expansion project. They often include furniture such as patio sets and fire pits, plus decorative items like outdoor rugs or plants for additional decoration.
Though adding more elements may seem beneficial, too many can clutter your yard and make movement difficult. Instead, prioritise key features like an outdoor kitchen equipped with bar seating or an inviting fire pit as they will ensure maximum enjoyment from your backyard space.
A pergola adds dramatic style to a raised back deck, while lush plantings provide privacy where walls fall short. Patterned area rugs that resist fade-and mildew-resistant treatments make smart investments for use-intensive backyard spaces.
Shade
Shade options range from freestanding structures like pergolas and trellises, as well as screens and rooflines, to flexible fabrics or screens that can be folded away easily when not required. White walls and ceilings reflect light instead of absorbing it, so these make good choices for outdoor rooms.
Partial shade on your exposed garden verandahs Adelaide provides an inviting setting for outdoor dining, activities and relaxing. It can often be found beneath trees and shrubs as well as garden walls, fences, and hedges.
Consider using a windbreak made up of trellises covered with tough evergreen vines and bamboo or reed screens as an attractive backdrop for tender and exotic plants in containers, creating an appealing green framework to frame them against strong gusts of wind. They’re more effective than solid wind blocks which may easily be knocked over.
Light
Verandas are outdoor rooms whose sides can be opened or closed to provide you with optimal weatherproofing in any season – perfect for keeping out rainwater while still giving you access to your garden or vice versa – on rainy days when indoors is safer! On sunny days, open up those sides to let in fresh breezes!
For an intimate space, add a screen or plant a hedge to block sightlines and make your veranda more exclusive. Screens also filter light – perfect for roofed verandas where direct sun heat raises temperatures too quickly and may burn foliage or dry out containers’ soil. Rotating various garden plants onto and off of the veranda can add variety and allow you to show your favourite species at their finest!
Comfort
An exposed garden verandah provides a tranquil oasis to help you unwind, recharge and connect with nature without ever needing to leave home. An exposed verandah makes an excellent reading nook or artistic studio space.
Exposed garden verandahs Adelaide provide protection from both intense sunlight in summer months and frequent rainfall (something we do experience year-round in Somerset!). They can especially come in handy for people suffering from hay fever.
Balconies and Verandahs can be exposed to harsh winds, so it’s crucial to protect tender plants with screens that filter the wind without creating turbulent eddies. Woven bamboo, reeds or even trellises with evergreen plants make an effective screen. Don’t shy away from cultivating colourful seasonal flowers on your balcony while taking note of any unusual plant varieties!