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Designing the Interior of Your Home Hey! My name is Erica and I live alone in Sydney, Australia. When I moved into my current home, I was shocked to find that some of the rooms hadn't been touched since the 1990s. It was like walking into a time machine and it made me want to cry. I called my friend who is an interior designer and he helped me to work out how I wanted each room to look and which features I would like to remove or add to the space. I am really pleased with the results and I would like to offer you some tips on how you can create the perfect interior.

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3 key Features To Include When Creating An Outdoor Living Room

As a nation, Australia has an enduring love affair with outdoor living spaces. Whether it's a deck, a patio or a balcony, these spaces are now considered an extra room of the house instead of simply an outdoor area. If you're planning to upgrade your outdoor living space, then here are three key features which will help you to create a functional, comfortable and beautiful outdoor room.

1. Install outdoor blinds

Whatever region of the country you live, you no doubt would like to create an outdoor living space that can be used all-year-round. This means that you'll need to plan for both hot and cold weather when you're designing it. Outdoor blinds are a simple and effective way to give your area the protection from the elements that will make it an all-weather space.

Outdoor blinds will help to deflect the heat of the summer sun and also provide shelter from the wind and the rain during the cooler months. They also give you more control over privacy levels, make the area more aesthetically appealing and can help to make the space feel more like an external living room.

2. Get the layout right

Creating the right layout is one of the most important aspects of interior design and this principle extends to outdoor living rooms as well. The right layout can enhance the look, ensure that the area is cohesive and inviting and help you to maximise the use of the available space.

This is particularly important for small decks and balconies and for a large area that may feel cavernous and empty otherwise. It's helpful to consider the different uses you'll have for the area and then create zones for each use. This may include dining, relaxing and recreational activities.

3. Create ambience with lighting

Choosing the right lighting is a very important yet often overlooked aspect when it comes to creating a successful outdoor living room. Great lighting can transform a space and give a desirable ambience and atmosphere that is often lacking if you choose traditional outdoor lighting.

Instead of fluorescent strip lighting or harsh outdoor spotlights, opt for modern outdoor lighting such as recessed halogen lights, edgy copper bunker lights or ornate wall-mounted coach lights. To create a truly decadent look with the extreme wow factor, you can even opt for a beautiful chandelier style light which has been specially designed for outdoor use.

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