How to enhance the indoor/outdoor connection
“Bringing the outdoors in” might seem like a new trend born out of the COVID restrictions - when finally all of us “I’d rather stay home” people realized that weeks of not going much outside does really get to you. The trend grew so big that it stopped being a trend and became part of our lifestyle design essentials.
Those who come from mediterranean countries know this indoor/outdoor living has always been part of their culture, and traditional architecture reflects that. A quick look at traditional houses in Mallorca will show this need to spend more time outside: the rooms and living spaces indoors are not generous in size. Social life happens outside of those rooms. Cue the big dining table out in the shaded patio, the narrow streets that allow you to sit on a chair in the shade, and the open markets where people meet to update and get the local updates (if you know what I mean).
Mallorca’s weather and strong social habits of its people make it almost essential to have an outdoor dining area
A few weeks ago I had the chance to spend a day in an amazing location in Costix (thanks Adele!) which has given me inspiration and topics to talk about for ages. It is an old mill house that has been renewed and it looks like an AD magazine cover story. I loved how well the industrial details merged with the historic and traditional form of the house. And it provides the perfect backdrop for my article today on how to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor.
5 tips from mallorca architecture to enhance the indoor/outdoor connection
The same stone wall material was brilliantly used inside in the living space.
Seamless Transitions. Create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces by using consistent flooring materials, such as stone or tiles, that extend from the interior to the exterior. This visually connects the two areas and blurs the boundaries between them. The house had both inside and out the same wall finish. Some of it was older, and some was newer but they looked the same and it helped you forget whether you were inside or out.
Large windows and doors. Incorporate large windows, sliding glass doors, or bi-fold doors that open up to outdoor areas, allowing plenty of natural light to flood into the interior space and providing unobstructed views of the outdoors. This enhances the feeling of openness and connection to nature. In this case, all the windows were also doors, and they had been skilfully chosen to follow the industrial style of the windmill.
The open walls in this pool showcases the high skill of the architect on making the outdoor feel secluded and private, like the ancient roman thermal pools. It was a magical space.
Outdoor living areas: Design functional outdoor living areas that feel like extensions of the indoor space. Include comfortable seating, dining areas, and amenities such as outdoor kitchens or fire pits to encourage relaxation and entertainment outdoors. This house not only had one, but several places where someone could find a a moment of rest connecting to nature. A small table and a couple of chairs next to the kitchen are perfect for a small breakfast or afternoon tea (for those inclined to do so) while the dining table above is a must for social gatherings. It also had a humble but functional deck-chair mattress inside of the pool area. The idea is to have a corner to yourself unbothered by the visuals of your every day work and chores.
Consistent Design Aesthetic: Maintain a consistent design aesthetic between indoor and outdoor spaces to create a cohesive look. Use similar colors, materials, and furnishings throughout both areas to reinforce the sense of continuity and harmony. In this house both bathrooms had the same terrazzo sink. But one of them was part of an outdoor bedroom while the other was in the main building. The industrial theme was also repeated through the furniture and doors, and reclaimed wood was found throughout the house and the garden. This created a rhythm of materials that made the transitions between spaces softer and unnoticeable.
Biophilic design elements: Biophilic is the new “buzzword” in the interior design world. But it’s not a made up word (barbiecore, anyone?). The term is defined as “relating to, showing, or being the human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature”. I actually love this definition because it talks about the innate necessity of us humans to connect with life in nature. And it’s very easy to make it part of your home, regardless of your location or size of rooms. You can incorporate biophilic design elements like indoor plants, natural materials, and water features, into both your indoor and outdoor spaces to evoke this sense of connection to the natural world. Needless to say, this enhances the overall atmosphere and promotes a feeling of tranquility and well-being, which I personally crave these current times.
I hope these tips were useful. You don’t need to move to Mallorca to enjoy the much celebrated outdoor/indoor connection when you follow this advice for your own home. Remember to follow us on Instagram for frequent inspiration and subscribe to our email list. There are some upcoming news you won’t want to miss!
