The outdoor space has officially graduated from "nice to have" to "must have" territory in 2025. Today's alfresco areas deliver serious lifestyle value as luxurious living steps outside with these key styling elements:

Capitalise On Your Outdoor Space

In order to utilise every inch of your outdoor space, create specialised zones for cooking, dining, and lounging. Much like an open-plan interior, the goal is to create flow and function—but with the added bonus of sunshine and fresh air. Start by considering how you naturally spend time outdoors. Where in the space do you usually cook? Where do you relax? Where would you sit if you wanted some sunshine vs shade? By elevating the space with designated areas, you can host, unwind, cook, and enjoy the outdoors—all without stepping back inside. It's your very own backyard resort!
 

The Outdoor Kitchen Revolution

Gone are the days when outdoor cooking meant dragging out a rusty barbecue and hoping the gas bottle wasn’t empty. Today’s alfresco kitchens are as considered as their indoor counterparts. At the end of the day it’s all about functionality. No more back and forth trips inside every 5 minutes to grab a utensil or plate, nowadays it’s about the luxury of practicality. Whether you're working with a sprawling backyard or a compact courtyard, there’s a way to design an outdoor kitchen that works for your space. And once you've experienced it, you’ll wonder why you ever cooked inside during the warmer months.

Upgrade Your Fabrics

Fabrics on your outdoor furniture now feels as luxurious as your indoor couches, all while handling everything from sunbathing to sangria spills. Long gone are the scratchy and plasticky feel of your outdoor lounge cushions, instead you’ll find soft linens, chunky weaves, and plush cushioning that invite you to sink in and stay awhile. These fabrics are designed to withstand sun, wind, rain, and the inevitable red wine mishap—without fading, staining, or falling apart. So whether you’re lounging with a book on a sunny afternoon or hosting a laidback dinner party, your outdoor setup feels just as refined and comfortable as your living room.

Sensory Landscaping

It’s not just about how your garden looks anymore—it’s about how it feels. The best outdoor spaces in 2025 are designed to engage all your senses, turning your backyard into a place you actually want to spend time in, not just take photos of. Start with scent: think lavender, rosemary, jasmine, or thyme—plants that not only smell amazing but can double as kitchen staples. There’s something grounding about brushing past a fragrant herb on your way to the outdoor table. Sound plays a quiet but powerful role too. Choose plants like ornamental grasses or bamboo that rustle gently when the wind picks up—it adds a soft, natural soundtrack to your space that’s instantly calming. And don’t forget about touch. Think textured stone pavers underfoot, rough-hewn timber beams, or cool concrete surfaces that warm up in the sun. The goal? Create a garden that doesn’t just look good—but feels good to be in. A little wild, a little intentional, and full of sensory surprises.

When you approach your alfresco area with the same care and design intention as your interiors, it stops being just outside space and becomes somewhere you genuinely want to spend time. It’s not about adding square metres, but about adding moments: slow mornings with coffee in the sun, long lunches that turn into evening drinks, a place to unwind at the end of the day. The more considered the design, the more seamlessly it becomes part of how you live.