If you step outside a well‑designed home today, you’ll immediately notice something remarkable: the garden feels as considered as the master ensuite. Patios, for example, unfold into full‑service kitchens, tranquil pools are sculpted to fit the block perfectly, and clusters of foliage filter sunlight, filling living rooms with soft, moving light.
More than just eye-catching, these outdoor zones are designed to be practical, inviting and a daily source of joy and connection. Thoughtful layouts, seamless flow and adaptable features combine to create outdoor spaces where every moment outside is simply enjoyable.
Indeed, today’s approach to outdoor design has changed dramatically, and current trends are raising the bar even higher. So, join us as we explore the outdoor living trends redefining the way we live beyond the walls of our homes.
Trend #1: Seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining
Turning the alfresco into a natural extension of the home’s interior has become a hallmark of modern outdoor design. And it’s easy to see why. Picture sliding back a wall of glass as the boundary between kitchen and garden quietly dissolves. The kitchen benchtop carries through to the barbecue, giving you one continuous working space.
Overhead, ceiling battens run the full span, visually uniting inside and out. And what about your guests? They can drift freely from the lounge room sofa to the pool with no thresholds and nothing in the way.
In today’s custom homes, this effortless continuity is the new measure of luxury. The design moves behind it are subtle but decisive:
- Recessed door tracks and flush floor levels erase trip points.
- Matching materials and lighting profiles bind the zones together.
- Generous outdoor kitchens with flexible seating let the heart of the home expand when it’s time to entertain.
But this elegant and effortless connection serves a purpose beyond more than aesthetics. It transforms how the home functions and feels everyday. Here’s why designers and homeowners alike place such high value on creating these connected spaces:
- More room to live: Blurring the threshold instantly enlarges both zones, giving you one expansive living space instead of two smaller ones.
- Everyday usability: When the alfresco feels as polished and weather‑ready as the interior, you’ll use it morning, noon and night.
- Design integrity: Seamless transitions signal a home planned as a whole, not a house with a deck bolted on later.
- Perfect for WA’s lifestyle: Long summers, mild winters, and a culture of relaxed entertaining make easy indoor‑outdoor movement a must-have in Western Australia.
Trend #2: Smart pool designs for every kind of backyard
Another top headline in outdoor design this season is pools that are purpose-built for your block and lifestyle. Today’s pool designs are more considered, aimed at making the pool an integrated feature of your overall outdoor living experience.
Whether you’re working with a narrow infill lot, a sloping coastal block or a big family-sized yard, pools can be tailored to fit the space beautifully. From raised shells that align with decking to poolside pergolas and connected garden zones, every element works together to create a backyard layout that feels thoughtfully planned and offers year-round value.
Here’s how different pool styles are being designed with flexibility and functionality in mind:
| Pool style | Best for | Key touches |
| Family resort | Growing families | Pergola shade, shallow lounging shelf, pool house with bathroom |
| Lap & leisure combo | Fitness-minded owners | Narrow lap lane paired with a wider play zone |
| Compact above-ground | Smaller or sloping lots | Engineered concrete shell raised to deck height; glass balustrade for openness |
Trend #3: Outdoor areas that extend beyond traditional boundaries
More and more, homeowners are thinking bigger than just a lawn or patio when it comes to outdoor living. They want spaces that fit their lifestyle, where they can stay active, entertain easily, or have plenty of room for hobbies.
This mindset is bringing in all kinds of interesting and creative design features. Here are a few standout ways luxury homeowners are reimagining their outdoor areas:
Multi-use courts
Multi-use courts do more than cater to active kids. They create a flexible space for basketball, tennis or casual games. With poured concrete and built-in lighting, they’re just as inviting after dark as they are during the day.
Firepits that invite year-round gathering
Today’s firepits do more than just keep you warm. With options like sunken seating or modern standalone designs, plus built-in log storage and ambient lighting, they turn your outdoor area into a space you’ll actually want to gather in, any time of year.
Discreet rear access and workshop areas
And for those who need a bit more room to move around, clever driveway layouts often include rear access, so you can keep boats, trailers or hobby projects neatly tucked away. This simple solution keeps your outdoor area feeling spacious and calm.
Trend #4: Multi-functional features that adapt with the weather
Outdoor living has come a long way, and one of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is towards features that do more than one job. Today’s designs make it easier to enjoy your space no matter the time of year.
Take built-in seating, for example. It’s not just somewhere to sit with a drink anymore. It can double as a retaining wall or a raised planter box. So instead of adding more structures to your yard, you get seating, greenery and support for sloped ground all in one clever, space-saving design.
Then there’s the beauty of retractable awnings. On warm days, they give you instant relief from the heat. When the light softens and you want that clear, open-sky feel, just slide them back. No more need for those awkward covers. Instead you get a modern solution that’s an easy, elegant way to stay comfortable.
And let’s not forget about the magic of electric louvres. With the simple touch of a button, you can open them up to soak in the winter sun or close them to block out the harsh summer glare, giving you full control of your outdoor area.
When everything works together like this, it makes being outside feel easy and enjoyable all year round.
Trend #5: Courtyards and green pockets that bring the outdoors in
One of the more refined outdoor living trends we’re seeing is the use of small, private courtyards and garden pockets positioned just outside key rooms of the home. Greenery placed just outside the window helps brighten your interiors, turning a plain fence or wall into a more peaceful, inviting view.
They’re especially effective when placed just outside living areas or bathrooms, where windows or glass doors can frame the view. For instance, placing sculptural trees, tangled leafy vines or striking greenery in these spots can create a calming outlook that softens both the light and the atmosphere from inside the home.
And their impact goes beyond just good looks:
- They brighten internal spaces naturally.
- Offer a quiet, sheltered escape away from the main alfresco.
- Help cool the home and reduce outside noise.
Bring outdoor living into the heart of your custom home
At Stannard Homes, outdoor spaces receive the same thoughtful design as your interiors, because enjoying the WA lifestyle means feeling at ease in every corner of your home.
Our award‑winning team considers orientation, flow and alfresco potential from day one, so your outdoor ideas can flourish within a custom home crafted just for you.
If you’re dreaming of a bespoke home that embraces outdoor living, we’d love to help. Explore our portfolio or speak with our friendly team to start your journey.
