Outdoor living

The humble garden shed is a necessity in every Kiwi backyard.

Designing your private green sanctuary is an exciting challenge – and, all going well, extremely gratifying.

Are you a Palm Springs, contemporary or coastal type? Here's how to get each look.

Have a summer staycation with inspiration from holiday hotspots — and a good old Kiwi backyard movie screening The Amalfi Coast While sitting poolside on a sunny day, your abode could echo the clear waters of Southern Italy. With sun protection front of mind, the colours and textures of the ever-so-romantic Amalfi Coast could inspire […]

Hit the tropics with masses of plants, woven materials and good vibes Photography: Vera Vita via Getty Images Transporting the tranquil essence of Bali into your indoor spaces or garden is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts. The tropical island paradise has long been revered for its laid-back lifestyle, lush greenery and stunning natural […]

Design and durability go hand in hand when setting up outdoor furniture Photographer: Claire Takacs Finding the right outdoor furniture can be a challenge – and that’s because it’s personal. For some, meaningful outdoor living is all about that brief but sacred moment when it’s just them and their morning coffee on the balcony. For […]

Gardening in planters is a great way to brighten up and give character to a courtyard. Here are five golden rules that will help your pots make the biggest splash. Planter size matters If you think the pot you have chosen is big enough, then go one or two sizes bigger. Not only do smaller […]

From small courtyard to entertaining hang-out, here’s how to dial up the style and make the most of your summer living space We’re a nation that loves to venture outdoors to play, relax and entertain. But unfortunately – unlike warmer climes with almost-constant sunshine and blue skies – our variable climate makes outdoor living a […]

Rust is trending this season. Add a touch of aged charm to your patio or garden with Resene’s exciting new rust effect paint. Earthy and naturalistic, the rustic look of weathered steel adds a welcoming feeling – and now it’s easier than ever to achieve this rich, storied look thanks to Resene’s new FX Faux […]

For this family, a shift from Auckland to Christchurch meant a near-new home with plenty of space and scope to make it their own This is a tale of two cities, two houses and the call of home. At least, it was for James Rolleston, who’d always wanted to move from Auckland back to his […]

Every outdoor area needs a space that’s sheltered from the sun’s harsh rays. Here’s how to create the perfect shady spot Being in the garden and enjoying the sunshine is one of life’s top simple pleasures. But when the temperatures rise and the UV rays are strong, it’s a welcome relief to find a shady […]

No more mud, no more mowing. A total backyard redesign has given this family exactly what they wanted – a garden that almost takes care of itself.

These three outdoor settings take you through the day, from brekkie in the sunshine, to a lazy afternoon read-and-snooze, then dinner al fresco 1. Breakfast in the sun: Nothing really beats breakfast in the sun on a summer’s morning. Make breakfast service a breeze with a stylish bar cart laden with your favourite brekkie foods. […]

Simple, rustic shapes, hand-thrown pottery and furniture improvised from time-worn timber create a low-key, modern country home, here’s how to get the look 1. Be inspired by the environment Take cues for your home’s colour palette from the surrounding landscape. If you have a really spectacular view, keep your interiors clean and simple to avoid […]

Want to take your al fresco cooking to a new level? Here’s how to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen and go from burnt sausages to haute cuisine Barbecuing has long been a part of the Kiwi summer experience, but more and more people want to take their al fresco cooking to the next level with […]

A sunny spot next to a cornfield was exactly the rural setting this young couple were looking for. Then all they had to do was build a house… When Mille Holm Rasmussen and her partner Morten were looking for a weekend retreat, their initial thoughts turned to something that floated. Morten had been dreaming about […]

A little digger and some clever ideas have produced a magical tropical garden with year-round colour and the cutest morning coffee spot When the scale of a landscaping project is too big to handle, it makes sense to call in the professionals. That’s what Helen Dewsnap and Geoff Watson did when they decided to revamp […]

This round-up of easy-care lawn alternatives is your answer to ditching the mower They’re innocent and ubiquitous; a symbol of domestic space to run around and relax to be seen on every Kiwi street from Cape Reinga to Bluff. We don’t really ever question if we need them – they’re just something we have. But […]

Make your outdoor space feel bigger by improving its connections to both indoor areas and the wider environment When your garden is small or simply consists of a balcony, deck or courtyard, increasing its sense of space even a little can make a huge difference. With a few clever touches you can turn these areas […]

 From BBQ entertaining patios to gardens blooming with flowers and vegetables, these New Zealand gardens will inspire your own outdoor makeover 1. St Heliers Entertaining area When owners Brett and Sarah Dobson first spied a five-bedroom house in a quiet cul-de-sac in St Heliers they were undaunted, despite the amount of work that needed to be […]

Whether you have a big backyard or a pint-sized patio, these clever tips will help you create an inviting and stylish outdoor space that you can comfortably enjoy year round How to create the ultimate outdoor room that you can enjoy all year round Outdoor living shouldn’t be restricted to the warmer months; with a […]

Whether you have a small patio or large backyard, these nine ideas make it easy to transform your garden from overlooked eyesore to open-air living space 1. Get outside more If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space, no matter how petite, make it your aim to use it more this year. Do whatever […]

It doesn’t get much better than this. Enter below for your chance to win an Everdure by Heston Blumenthal FORCE™ two burner gas BBQ, RRP $1049 Win an Everdure by Heston Blumenthal FORCE™ gas BBQ, worth $1049 Welcome to the outdoor cooking revolution. Make this summer the most delicious one yet with Everdure by Heston […]