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Components of an outdoor entertainment area

outdoor entertainment area with outdoor kitchen, lounge and dining furniture

Whether you’re starting from scratch or simply have some refining to do, there’s a lot that goes into creating the perfect outdoor entertainment area. So let’s start with the basics.

Prep your space

First and foremost, your space has to be clean. If you want to create an outdoor entertainment area on a budget, a blank canvas is the best foundation. Tasks like water blasting patios, staining decks, and making sure your outdoor furniture is clean and tidy will go a long way towards transforming your outdoor area.

lounge set on wooden deck covered by umbrella

Define each zone

Breaking an outdoor entertaining area into designated zones helps the space feel intentional and enhances its functionality. From outdoor cooking facilities, to sanctuary spa corners, seating nooks to poolside splash zones, each area can be created to serve your family and lifestyle best and our Landscaping Consultants have plenty of outdoor living ideas to help you.

Lounge seating

Every good entertaining area needs an anchor, whether it’s a fire pit, spa pool, or coffee table. Having a dedicated seating area is an asset for any outdoor party as it helps conversations flow naturally and gives guests a place to kick back and relax while you’re busy hosting.

Outdoor dining

While formality is up to you, dining spaces are non-negotiable. If you and your family love formal dining, creating a well-appointed outdoor dining space is a worthwhile investment. However, if occasional meals or cocktails are more your speed, a casual bar leaner or laid back dining set will be perfect for your outdoor living area.

Plants and gardening

Being surrounded by the beautiful outdoors is a key difference between indoor and outdoor entertaining, so don’t forget to take your garden into consideration when designing your modern outdoor entertainment area. Use plants like trees and tall shrubs to create privacy and definition, and shorter low-profile ones as complementary embellishments.

Think about comfort

Elevate your landscape and bring creature comforts outside with thoughtful touches. Overhead and spotlights can be quite harsh, especially without a lot of moonlight. Festoon and down lights are a better option to create a relaxing vibe while still providing adequate illumination.

Whether it’s sweltering sunshine, chilly nights, or blustery days, having options to combat less-than-ideal weather days increases the usability of your outdoor living area. Protect your space and create an outdoor covered area by adding optional shelter with a retractable louvre roof and opt for built-in heaters to turn those chilly evenings into cosy nights.

small outdoor area with a swimming pool and sun-beds on a wooden deck

What’s trending in outdoor entertainment?

Nowadays, entertaining goes beyond just a few chairs and tables. Designer spaces include fully equipped outdoor kitchens with BBQs, chic fridges for your drinks, and built-in seating to encourage the perfect evening of making memories.

But there are endless ways to customise your landscape. Something as simple as installing artificial turf so you can spend less time on maintenance can not only transform the space cosmetically, but how you use it too.

How Zones can help design the perfect outdoor entertainment area in Wellington

The Zones approach provides an all-encompassing design and build process led by an experienced Landscaping Consultant. From start to finish, they’ll guide you and help set you up for success by offering professional advice, clever solutions, and an expert approach to project management.

Worried about finding the right landscaping professionals or suppliers to order from? Don’t be! That’s all part of the process. Your Landscaping Consultant can draw from their pool of professional contacts to ensure you have the best team for the job.