The ability to create a home that prioritizes indoor outdoor living would be a non-negotiable in my dream house. Ideally I’d like to have the whole back of the groundfloor of my home open up and become one with the garden. Whether that’s by adding bi-fold doors, pivoting doors, sliding doors or stacking doors, the main thing is really opening up that space.
I really believe that creating a peaceful home shouldn’t stop at the back door. When your home flows seamlessly into your garden, even the smallest spaces can feel bigger, calmer, and more connected to nature. And the good news? You don’t need a full home renovation or an enormous budget to make it happen. A few simple updates can completely transform how you live in and love your space, all year round. Whether you’re working with a small courtyard, a sunlit patio, a tiny balcony, or a large garden, here are six achievable ways to bring more indoor outdoor living into your home.
1. Indoor Outdoor Living Starts with Light and Glass
Somerton Linen Voile Curtains from Thomas Sanderson
Natural light has a magical way of softening everything. Adding large windows or glass doors can blur the line between inside and out, letting sunlight spill across your floors and giving you uninterrupted views of the garden, even on cooler days.
Even without major changes, swapping heavy curtains for sheer panels or linen blinds can help to draw the eye outdoors, making your home feel brighter and more expansive.
2. Choose a Colour Palette That Bridges the Gap
Muniellos 90×15 Honey Oak Anti-Slip Wood Effect Tiles from Walls and Floors
If you want your home and garden to feel connected, start with colour. Soft greens, sandy neutrals, and weathered wood tones create a gentle transition that feels grounded and cohesive.
Think about bringing natural materials and finishes inside too—stone, wood, linen—and repeating them outside. When colours and textures flow across the threshold, it creates harmony and makes the two spaces feel like one.
3. Furniture Ideas for Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living
Verdandi Garden Furniture Range from Oka
Your outdoor space doesn’t have to feel separate from the rest of your home. Try echoing your indoor layout outside—a lounge-style seating area on the patio, a dining table near the kitchen doors, or a cosy reading corner under a pergola.
Rattan furniture, teak furniture, and woven furniture are brilliant for this—they look beautiful inside or out, and pair perfectly with throws, cushions and planters for a look that feels effortless but intentional.
4. Layer in Greenery Inside and Out
Plants are the easiest way to link the indoors with the outdoors. A few well-placed pots near your back door or clustered by a window will blur the edges between your garden and your home.
If your outdoor space is overflowing with plants, try mirroring the same types indoors—ferns, herbs, succulents, or climbing plants to soften the walls. It creates a sense of continuity and brings all the benefits of biophilic design into your everyday life.
5. Keep the Flooring Flowing Between Zones
Planate Fossil Grey 60×60 Tiles from Walls and Floors
When the flooring flows, so does your movement between spaces. Matching tiles inside and out, or using decking that runs to your threshold, helps guide the eye and creates a sense of openness.
If a full flooring overhaul isn’t an option, try outdoor rugs in a similar tone to your indoor palette—it’s a simple switch that still adds cohesion and comfort.
6. Design Spaces That Invite Movement
Image: Oka
The key to indoor outdoor living is ease. Clear the pathways, leave room around doorways, and think about how you naturally move between zones. If stepping outside feels like a chore—moving chairs, unlocking doors—it won’t become a habit.
Make it easy and intuitive, and your garden becomes a natural extension of your home. A space for breakfast, barefoot wandering, or gathering with friends that doesn’t rely on sunshine to be enjoyed.