Incorporating an alfresco area to your new home will have you prepared to host friends and family throughout all seasons and occasions. From entertaining, to summer BBQs and lounging with a good book, your alfresco will quickly become one of the most-loved parts of your home.

Building an alfresco area

At Simonds, over the last 75 years, our commitment to helping people realise the Great Australian Dream of home ownership has been unwavering.

And behind every Great Australian Dream, is a great backyard.

From firing up the BBQ with guests to entertaining well into the night, you’re never going to regret time spent out on your alfresco.

But remember, it’s also your place to relax, so design an outdoor entertainment area that suits your lifestyle. Whether that’s enjoying your morning coffee, or reading your favourite book, we’ll have an alfresco that feels like your own holiday sanctuary.

From the laid-back and relaxed Gold Coast to the heart of pristine Gippsland, you’re always going to appreciate an alfresco entertaining area, regardless of where you call home.

When you’ve built new, it’s common to get caught up in the endless to-do lists, filled with mountains of packing boxes and exploring your new neighbourhood, with any questions about your backyard falling on the back-burner.

The beauty of building a Simonds home with an alfresco? You’re able to move-in, and be entertaining friends or lounging back on a lazy Sunday afternoon, as soon as you’re handed the keys. By including an alfresco in your build, you’re able to save yourself from weekends of back-breaking landscaping and DIY decking, instead focusing on settling into your beautiful new home!

Start your summer right, with an alfresco that's perfect for relaxing mornings and entertaining well into the night...

Kick-off a summer of relaxation and entertaining with our top tips for the ultimate alfresco

As many of us have spent more time than ever inside our homes, it has become even more important to embrace and maintain our connection to the outside world.

We’ve said it before, open plan living is our bread and butter.

And a huge aspect of creating inviting, communal spaces that the whole family gravitate to, is extending this open plan flow out to an alfresco. With bountiful light and breeze streaming through sliding doors, you’re on your way to boosting your indoor-outdoor flow and reaping all of the calming and grounding benefits.

Image: Big alfresco doors lead out to the ultimate breakfast nook. As seen in our Evandale 27 (previously the Newbery 27), on display at the Covella Estate, Greenbank, QLD.

From waking up to the morning light with a cup of coffee, to spending those endless summer nights firing up the BBQ, you’ll come to appreciate your alfresco every day of the week, not just for when you’re putting on a big bash.

But don’t get us wrong, whether you’re entertaining your nearest and dearest, or your calendar is jam-packed hosting big get-togethers as we enter the festive season, your alfresco will be a god-send, time and time again.

But what makes a great alfresco, you say?

When you're trying to strike the right balance between a relaxing sanctuary and an entertainer’s dream, there’s a few things to consider. Stay with us, because we’re diving into them below!

Image: Enjoy entertaining in the evening and relaxing during the day with a versatile alfresco. As seen in our Travertine 31 (previously the Batavia 31), on display at the Aura Estate, Bells Creek, QLD.

Boost Your Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Many of our home designs come with an alfresco already included, because we know they’re a sought-after feature amongst home owners and prospective buyers. If you love a floor plan, but can’t see an alfresco, talk to your New Home Specialist, as they’re a common structural option that we can add on to a lot of our home designs.

If you’ve decided on an alfresco, the next question is, location! Depending on your block, this might come down to the width or depth of your land. Having your kitchen and dining lead out to your alfresco at the rear is a common option, especially for those that love to entertain. It creates a big, free-flowing space, where guests can move effortlessly between perching themselves on the kitchen island for a chit chat while you cook, to joining the others outside on the alfresco.

But if you’ve got a block that’s tight on depth, you might like to look at home designs that have an alfresco tucked to the side. This can help to create a more intimate sanctuary, perfect for family nights spent relaxing as the sun sets.

Image: Fresh greenery and pops of colour pair perfectly with sleek external tiles. As seen in our Camperdown 33 (previously the Alvie 33), on display at the Elmood Estate, Epsom, VIC.

If you love the idea of designing a master bedroom that flows on to an outdoor retreat, start exploring our QLD Dalwood 25. As an upgraded option, the master bedroom can lead out to a private outdoor sanctuary. Perfect for a glass of wine after work, or a lazy weekend morning.

And last, but definitely not least, you can’t have indoor-outdoor flow without sliding doors out to your alfresco. Our standard option is an aluminium sliding door with one fixed panel and one moving panel, with different sizes and colours available. If you’re wanting to make more of a statement, you’re able to upgrade to an alfresco door, which has one fixed panel and two sliding panels, or even bi-folding doors. Aluminium is a great affordable and low-maintenance option, but we can do an alfresco or bi-folding door in timber if you want to take your alfresco space up a notch.

Image: The ultimate master retreat. As seen in our single-storey Dalwood 25.

Make Entertaining Easy-Breezy with a Servery Window

If the ultimate BBQ set-up is high on your list of priorities, a servery-style window might just be what you’re missing from your new alfresco area.

For those that love to go all out when entertaining, having a servery window from your kitchen or butler’s pantry will make passing plates of food and drinks out to guests an absolute breeze.

There are a few considerations when adding a servery-style window to your new build. It’s best to chat to your New Home Specialist so that they can add an allowance to your quote, and then you’ll be able to iron out all of the details with your Gallery Consultant later on.

Image: A servery-style window that is perfect for entertaining. As seen in our single storey Dalwood 25.

Tiling vs Decking

We’ve already talked about how flooring sets the tone for the rest of your home, as soon as you step through your front door. In case you missed it, head to our Hallway and Powder Room Blog for some of our favourite flooring hints and tips on how to make a grand entrance.

And truth be told, flooring choices for your alfresco are just as important! You want to create an inviting space that feels connected to the rest of the home. If you’ve opted for tiles throughout your kitchen and living, consider tiling your alfresco too. By no means do the tile choices have to exactly match, but continuing the flow outside enhances the feeling of indoor-outdoor living.

If tiles aren’t your style, we can provide decking to your alfresco. Timber can soften and bring warmth to your outdoor space. If your Pinterest boards and Instagram bookmarks are filled with tropical, Balinese-style inspiration shots, chances are, you’ll love a timber decking finish to your alfresco. You’re also able to continue this tropical sanctuary feel, with cedar or another type of external cladding to the alfresco ceiling. This adds a special touch and can make the space feel like a relaxing oasis.

Image: Be transported straight to a tropical paradise with the Colston 26 (previously the Garner 25), Springfield Rise Estate, Spring Mountain, QLD.

Create a Versatile Space

When creating a versatile alfresco space - one that can take you from relaxing mornings spent lounging around to lively and fun-filled nights, the devil’s in the details.

Including a ceiling fan to your space, ensures that you’re able to enjoy being outside, even through the stifling heat and sticky humidity. Meaning you can make the most of your alfresco, at all points of the day, and year.

While skylights give you that extra boost of light, especially when you’re dealing with an overcast day.

Image: The double-storey Gisborne 34 (previously the Eldon 34) will have you prepared for all seasons and occasions. As seen on display at the Meridian Estate, Clyde North, VIC.