Alfresco design ideas

If you’ve been putting off updating your alfresco area, the question is: Why? It can be one of the best spaces in your home to play with creatively, whether you have a tiny courtyard or gigantic backyard.

Alfresco designs and ideas are so plentiful these days that there’s no lack of inspo out there, either.

With a little research, you can discover inspiring alfresco decorating ideas. Picture: Three Birds Renovations

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So, whether you’ve always dreamed of adding a free-standing pizza oven to your alfresco kitchen or simply want some visual inspo for alfresco decorating ideas, we’re here to help.

We rounded up several experts in the alfresco design space to ask for their tips, tricks and words of wisdom on breathing new life into an outdoor space.

Lana Taylor

Lana makes up one third of renovating and design trio, Three Birds Renovations; the Birds just finished renovating their 10th house. Lana says:

Make yourself a checklist

“When designing an alfresco entertaining space, ask yourself these questions.”

• What is the alfresco area going to be used for?
• How often will I use it?
• Am I designing it primarily ‘for me’ or ‘for entertaining’?
• Where is the sun in relation to the space?
• What time of day will I use this space most – morning, afternoon or evening?
• Do I want to use it in winter?
• Are their trees overhanging that will drop leaves?
• Do I need the alfresco area to be undercover in case of rain?

The Birds have brought to life many outdoor alfresco designs. Picture: Three Birds Renovations

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Get inspired by alfresco decorating ideas

“When it comes to decorating your alfresco area, choose homewares with soft furnishings, such as cushions, and add throws and rugs with colour and texture to make your outside space feel like a welcoming room. Lush green pot plants are the perfect finishing touch for a true alfresco design.”​

Watch: How to create a no-fuss alfresco area

“The alfresco area pictured below was a small space that we transformed into one of our favourite alfresco designs ever. We chose a small dining setting from Ikea and used the servery window for extra seating.”

This space was one of Three Birds Renovations’ favourite alfresco designs ever. Picture: Hannah Blackmore for Adore Magazine

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Blend indoor & outdoor living

​”My ideal alfresco area creates a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. Outdoor alfresco designs should feature lots of standing room, a few options for seating where you can sit or relax, and easy access to the kitchen. For family homes, it’s also ideal for an alfresco area to look out over the backyard, which hopefully has a patch of turf for the kids to play on.”

Lana Taylor recommends blending the indoors with the outdoors in your alfresco area. Picture: Three Birds Renovations

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Mick Heanue & Ben Shanley

Bunnings barbecue and heating buyer, Mick Heanue, and Bunnings furniture buyer, Ben Shanley, both agree functionality and flexibility in your alfresco area is key when updating or renovating your space. 

Don’t compromise on quality

“When space is limited and you can’t create a fully functional alfresco kitchen, free-standing pizza ovens, two or three burner barbecues or portable barbecues are compact and good-quality alternatives. These options still include features such as condiment racks, side shelves and wood storage racks to maximise the space available,” says Mick.

A free-standing pizza oven is a great alternative when you don’t have space for an alfresco kitchen. Picture: Bunnings

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Choose flexible furniture

“If you like to entertain, flexibility is key. Outdoor furniture that can easily be moved aside to create space is ideal – so think lightweight materials like aluminium or wicker. For smaller spaces, consider a bistro setting or a storage bench that can double as extra seating. Comfort, style and convenience are key,” says Ben.

If you like entertaining, ensure your outdoor furniture is movable. Picture: Bunnings

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Jason Hodges

As a landscape gardener and Adbri Masonry’s brand ambassador, Jason Hodges certainly knows a thing or two about outdoor alfresco designs. He says:

Consider the space

“When planning an outdoor dining and alfresco kitchen area, be sure to consider the space you have to work with. You don’t want to be sitting on your barbecue attempting to enjoy a meal because the equipment you purchase is too big for the area. Space and scale of cooking to dining is vital.”

Keep on top of maintenance

“Naturally in the outside environment, furniture and cooking equipment need to be maintained. Furniture and cooking equipment can fare worse if exposed to constant sunlight and the elements, so make quality decisions with this in mind.”

A perfectly maintained alfresco space with wicker furniture in Nunawading, Vic. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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All hail the fire pit

“As we’ve now hit winter, a winning alfresco idea is a fire pit; it’s nature’s television and the new water feature. You won’t be sitting around a water feature solving the world’s problems with your family and friends but you will around a fire pit; you can literally build a block fire pit this weekend using Adbri Masonry AB Courtyard blocks.”

One of the greatest alfresco ideas out there? A fire pit, of course. Picture: Bunnings

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“As far as alfresco kitchens go, pizza ovens are hands down one of the most popular options out there. If you can squeeze it into your alfresco design budget, I recommend an under-bench fridge; it’s a bit of a luxury purchase but it sure is convenient.”