In the coming year, homes will no longer be limited by walls. Your living areas will evolve into spaces that connect you with nature while still offering the chic comfort of the indoors.
Blending these two spaces gives you the gift of a larger-looking space as the indoors melt into the outside. However, it also requires intentionality — conscious choices that harmonise each space as you bring their beauty together while reflecting your personality. Here’s how to create a seamless transition from the inside out.
Use Natural Materials Thoughtfully
Natural materials bridge the gap between interior and exterior, especially when incorporating wood, bamboo and stone. For instance, you can carry over your stone kitchen countertop into an outdoor cooking area made of the same material. Vertical spaces with the same wooden accents as your dining table make the space more consciously connected. Complete the look by investing in high-quality furniture and lounge seating similar to your indoor furniture that can weather the elements and require less maintenance.
We’ve just renovated our house and are moving onto the garden in 2025. We plan to use oak elements to mimic our choices inside as well an outdoor kitchen which has the same feel. I love what Amber Interiors creates and will be using her designs for inspiration:
Mirroring the same materials maintains visual and spatial flow, making both spaces feel like extensions of the other. This creates the illusion of one large room instead of two separate spaces.
Prioritise Flow in Flooring
Flooring is crucial in uniting spaces naturally. Choose materials that work for indoor and outdoor spaces, like polished concrete, limestone or sandstone. If you’re more of a wood person, your living room’s hardwood floors can flow into a wooden deck outside to maintain continuity.
Don’t worry if using the same material isn’t feasible. You can still use complementary options. For example, pair indoor hardwood flooring with outdoor tiles in a matching tone. You can also use rugs with similar patterns to tie the two areas together.
Let in Greenery and Natural Light
A seamless transition into the outdoors would be incomplete without biophilic designs integrated into the home. Large windows, skylights or glass walls can invite natural light and greenery from your patio into your home. If you’re concerned about privacy, opt for tinted glass or strategically placed foliage that still lets light filter through.
If your home lacks a patio, building one can further extend it into the outdoors. However, you need to ensure level ground before starting the project, especially if you have spongy soil that stays wet long after the rain has passed. When deciding on furniture, think of the function it will serve — a lounging patio can include a firepit or outdoor seating, while a dining area can benefit from a pergola for shade during brunch.
We’re planning an outdoor seating area, perhaps with a firepit in the middle, and love this design by Amber Interiors:
When planning indoors, consider greenery as decor, such as potted and hanging plants or vertical gardens. A cluster of well-arranged statement planters in the living area can extend into the patio to connect indoor and outdoor plants.
Extend Your Colour Palette
Using a consistent colour scheme automatically creates an effortless harmony for the eyes. If your indoor space features soft earth tones, extending these shades to your outdoor furniture, planters or cushions establishes a sense of conscious continuity.
Be careful when adopting the same hues, as it risks monotony. To add depth and interest, use slightly lighter or darker shades instead to differentiate the areas while still contributing to your theme.
Define Zones Without Barriers
While you want a seamless look, defining functional zones is still essential. Well-designed doorways can help blur the boundaries but still identify which space is part of what. A stone threshold or step-down differentiates areas while maintaining an unobstructed open flow. This is particularly important for inclined yards that you still want to connect.
Varying ceiling heights or using an overhang can subtly signal the distinction between separate spaces while keeping the openness.
Bring the Outdoors Within Reach
Blurring the lines between inside and outside is all about a conscious, continuous flow. You get to connect with nature and enjoy its sights and sounds without leaving the comforts of your cosy indoor space. Approach 2025 with the same vision for your home — limitless and connected to nature — to make it a biophilic haven.
