Style: July 10, 2020

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
with Tim Goom
Go with the flow
Indoor Outdoor Flowmore
than just a cliché!
The phrase ‘indoor-outdoor flow’ may be a repeat
offender in real estate jargon- but for good reason!
Functionality is now a huge priority for homeownersand
creating easy access between your indoor and
outdoor areas enables the extension and better use
of standard living spaces.
New builds will generally have this concept built into the design from
the outset but for older homes, constructed before kiwis started to
take their living outside, some thoughtful design may be required to
link the indoor living space with the outdoors.
To maximise its worth, this nebulous concept of flow needs to run
in both directions between spaces and connecting the indoor and
outdoor spaces which fit together. It’s not quite as straightforward as
installing big bi-fold doors to outside! Ensuring the indoor kitchen links
directly to the outdoor kitchen or cooking area will make things far
more efficient with the ebb and flow of dishes and meals.
You don’t want to be traipsing the length of the house from the
outdoors to your kitchen carrying dirty dishes and sloshing half-empty
wine glasses. Likewise, placing your spa with easy access to the master
bedroom will ensure you can step swiftly from your soak straight to
your bedroom rather than instantly losing your relaxed glow due to a
chilly dash across the garden, through the house to your room.
A pool will generally be used during the warmer months when
minimising the distance between the pool and indoors to maintain
warmth isn’t such a consideration, although even when not in active
use during winter, looking from the indoors out to a well-lit beautifully
landscaped pool provides a spectacular water feature. Connecting your
laundry to the outdoor space housing your washing line is another
example where good flow aids functionality.
Guide your guests
by Goom
Smart landscape design will enable you to lead visitors to the spaces
you want them to enter (and avoid others). The landscaping at the front
of your property has a huge impact on its overall street appeal (and
accordingly value!). Keeping design structured and simple at your frontage
will create the first impression of a well-tended tidy property. With bold
choices in planting and hardscaping, it doesn’t have to be dull. We’ve all
been to those properties where you are left to-ing and fro-ing wondering
which direction to proceed- a clear path from the street to the home
entrance at which you expect to greet visitors will avoid any confusion.
Safety first!
Safety is an important consideration for entrances. Installing lighting to
ensure dinner guests can proceed to and from your door after dark is
important- and doesn’t have to carry a hefty price tag. At this time of
year, things can get pretty slippery overnight on driveways and pathways
- especially further South. One solution is to incorporate a heating
system within concrete during construction so icy hazards never get a
chance to form. This can also be used in any concrete seating to keep
backsides comfortable when temperatures drop.
Often the entrance to a property is shared by vehicles and pedestrianswhich
presents safety challenges, especially if there are kids in and
out of the property. Redesigning your frontage so that vehicles and
pedestrians have separate entry points is a simple way to reduce this
risk. From a discreet gate within the fencing to a bespoke contrasting
feature gate, there are options to suit every budget.
To discuss how to maximise the design and flow of your property,
give me a call at Goom Landscapes.
The champions of
landscape design & build.
7 GOLD AWARDS - 2019
DESIGN | MANAGE | CONSTRUCT
Create a Lifespace with us. | goom.nz
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