A light and bright kitchen addition that opens up into the backyard creates the ultimate indoor-outdoor living space. This type of remodel allows you to expand your home, bring in more natural light, and improve the flow between your kitchen, dining area, and outdoor patio or deck. Here is an in-depth look at how to design a seamless kitchen addition that fully integrates the indoors and outdoors.
Choosing the Right Location
Choosing the right location is key to creating a cohesive indoor-outdoor kitchen addition. Consider these factors when deciding where to add on:
Expanding Out the Back
Adding an extension off the back of your home is ideal for opening the kitchen to the backyard. This location keeps the addition close to the existing kitchen, allowing for an easy flow between the spaces. The continuity between indoors and outdoors makes cooking, dining, and entertaining feel seamless.
Aligning with Existing Rooms
Try to align the addition with adjacent rooms like the dining room, breakfast nook, or family room. This maintains a logical connection between spaces. Aligning the layout promotes better traffic flow when moving between rooms.
Maximizing Natural Light
A rear or back-corner location allows light to wash in from two sides through windows, doors, and skylights. This bathes the kitchen in natural light, creating a bright, inviting atmosphere. Consider the sun’s path to maximize sunlight during mornings and afternoons.
Incorporating Views
Take advantage of outdoor views by situating the addition where you can see the backyard, garden, or landscape. Frame beautiful views through large windows, glass doors, or an entire glass wall. This seamlessly brings the outdoors in.
Accessing the Yard
Direct access to patios, decks, pergolas, or lawns makes the space highly functional. Opt for French doors, sliding doors, or multi-panel folding doors to fully open the kitchen to the backyard. This allows easy transport of food, drinks, and entertaining supplies.
Designing an Open Floor Plan
An open floor plan is key to creating a cohesive indoor-outdoor addition. Knocking down walls and barriers allows uninterrupted views and an easy flow between kitchen, dining, and outdoor areas.
Removing Walls
Eliminate walls between the existing kitchen, dining room, and the new addition to create one continuous open space. This also improves natural light throughout.
Incorporating Wide Openings
Use large arched openings or expanded doorways in place of walls between rooms. This maintains separation while improving views and airflow.
Creating Multi-Purpose Spaces
Blend kitchen, dining, lounge, and outdoor patio into one multifunctional Great Room. This large open space allows flexibility for cooking, eating, relaxing, and entertaining.
Adding a Breakfast Bar
Include a kitchen breakfast bar or island that seats diners. This allows interaction between the kitchen, dining, and outdoor areas.
Defining Zones
Use changes in flooring materials, ceiling heights, or lighting to define different zones within the open space. This helps delineate kitchen, dining, and lounge areas while maintaining an open feel.
Bringing In Natural Light
Abundant natural light is essential for a bright, airy addition that flows seamlessly into the outdoors. Consider these lighting strategies:
Skylights and Clerestories
Install skylights in the roof and clerestory windows high on the walls. This allows daylight to penetrate deep into the interior space. Position skylights to avoid harsh direct sun.
Windows Along Multiple Walls
Include ample windows on multiple walls to let light wash in from all directions. This prevents shadows and bright spots. Tall windows draw light deeper into the room.
Glass Doors
Use French doors, sliding doors, or folding glass doors toflood the space with natural light while fully opening to the outdoors. Opt for low-E glass to reduce heat gain and glare.
Light Reflecting Surfaces
Paint walls, ceilings, and cabinetry in light, bright, neutral colors to maximally reflect daylight. Glossy finishes also bounce light around.
Limiting Interior Partitions
Minimize interior walls, bulkheads, and soffits that can block natural light distribution. An open floor plan improves daylighting.
East and West Exposure
Orient the addition to face east and west to capture sunrise and sunset lighting. North-facing windows create ideal indirect natural light.
Choosing Indoor/Outdoor Materials
Using indoor-outdoor materials creates a cohesive aesthetic between interior and exterior spaces for a harmonious flow.
Matching Finishes
Select interior and exterior finishes like floor tile, wood decking, stone veneer, and stucco that complement each other. This creates continuity.
Weather-Resistant Materials
Choose interior finishes like porcelain plank tile, engineered hardwood, composite decking, powder-coated metals, and upholstered outdoor fabrics that can withstand weather and sun exposure when patio doors are open.
Transitional Textiles
Incorporate indoor/outdoor rugs, cushions, drapes and textiles to add comfort while transitioning between the interior rooms and patio.
Wood Tones
Use wood cabinetry, ceiling beams, and furniture finishes that match the tone of exterior wood siding, doors, and fencing. Consistent wood tones unite indoor and outdoor palettes.
Cool Neutrals
Cool paint colors like soft grays, taupes, whites, and tans work well indoors and outdoors. Avoid stark white, which can appear cold.
Echoing Elements
Repeat exterior elements like stone, brick, and greenery on the home’s interior to create a harmonious look.
Expanding the Kitchen Outdoors
Take the kitchen outside by integrating outdoor kitchen and dining areas. This allows cooking, grilling, and eating to flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Cooking Areas
Include a built-in outdoor grill, sink, beverage center, pizza oven, or stove to enhance outdoor cooking capabilities. Use weather-resistant materials to withstand outdoor exposure.
Alfresco Dining Zones
Create a defined outdoor dining area with a weather-resistant patio table, chairs, and umbrellas. Durable all-weather wicker, teak, or metal patio furniture work well.
Seamless Flooring
Use large-format porcelain or stone tile to seamlessly transition from indoor kitchen floors to the outdoor patio or deck flooring. This creates a uniform look.
Consistent Countertops
Select outdoor kitchen countertops made of materials like natural stone, concrete, quartz, or stainless steel that coordinate with interior countertops. This improves continuity.
Repeating Finishes
Echo finishes like brick backsplashes, ceramic tile, or accent lighting outdoors to make the indoor and outdoor kitchens feel cohesive.
Connecting Indoor and Outdoor Living
Design elements that integrate indoor and outdoor rooms allow them to function as one continuous space for a smooth flow.
Wide Open Doorways
Include wide sliding or folding glass doors that fully open interior rooms to the outdoors with no visual separation. Retract doors fully for a wide open feel.
Multi-Slide Door Systems
High-performance multi-slide doors can accordion back completely onto walls to create an unobstructed indoor/outdoor space. Choose options with slim sightlines.
Level Floor Transitions
Install flooring materials like tile, hardwood, or deck boards that provide flush transitions between interior floors and exterior patios or decks.
Matching Ceiling Lines
Keep ceiling heights, finishes, beams and recessed lights consistent from the interior addition out onto the covered patio area for a harmonious look.
Shared Fireplace
Incorporate an indoor/outdoor see-through fireplace that faces both into the house and onto the patio. This becomes a focal point tying the spaces together.
Consistent Materials
Using matching or complementary materials, colors, lighting and textures blends indoor and outdoor aesthetics.
Furniture Placement
Situate indoor and outdoor furnishings in a seamless arrangement to promote flow between the spaces for dining, seating and relaxing.
Shared Plantings
Place matching plants and greenery indoors and outdoors to create the sense that landscaping flows right into the home’s interior.
Architectural Design Strategies
Careful architectural design ensures the kitchen addition integrates smoothly with the interior floor plan and exterior facade:
Matching Roof Lines
Design roof lines on the addition to match or complement existing rooflines. Consistent roof slopes, fascia, and shingles make new and old blend.
Aligned Windows and Doors
Position added windows, doors, and skylights to align with existing openings. Match sizes and proportions for cohesion.
Harmonious Style
Design the addition to mirror the architectural style, details, finishes, and proportions of the original home for a seamless look.
Consistent Exterior Finishes
Use the same siding, stone, stucco, trim, shutters, and colors on the addition as the existing exterior to blend old and new.
Connected Roofing
Incorporate a continuous roofline over the addition and any covered patios to connect indoor and outdoor areas.
Mirrored Floorplan
Align the layout and traffic patterns of the new addition with the existing floorplan so spaces connect logically.
Shared Architectural Features
Repeat design elements like arched openings, built-ins, fireplaces, ceiling beams and materials throughout the addition and home.
Creating a Seamless Backyard Extension
Expanding off the back of a home into the backyard is an ideal layout for a cohesive indoor/outdoor addition:
Contiguous Floorplan
Attach directly to the back wall of the home and align the layout with existing rooms for a seamless floorplan.
Direct Yard Access
French doors or sliding glass doors directly accessing the backyard improve the indoor-outdoor connection and flow to the yard.
Expanded Patio
Extend any existing patio out behind the addition to get more outdoor living space that connects to the interior.
Shared Landscaping
Plant gardens, trees, and landscaping that flow right up to the addition to help the yard and home feel like one continuous outdoor space.
Defined Spaces
Use outdoor elements like pergolas, fire pits, and bar seating to designate functional zones in the yard that relate back to the home’s interior rooms.
Window Alignment
Position ample windows across the back addition wall to frame views of the backyard and echo existing windows across the home’s rear facade.
Covered Walkways
Incorporate covered walkways off the addition leading to different zones of the yard including dining areas, patios, and gardens.
Lighting Strategies
Proper lighting ensures the kitchen addition and backyard patio spaces work in harmony both day and night:
Ambient Interior Lighting
Install ample recessed can lights, pendants, chandeliers, and LED track heads to light the kitchen and dining areas for everyday use. Dimmable fixtures allow multi-scene flexibility.
Task Lighting
Include task lighting like undercabinet LED strips in kitchens and pendant lights over bars or islands to illuminate food prep and dining surfaces.
Accent Lighting
Use picture lights, directional lights, and spotlights to highlight architectural details and accessories indoors for added visual interest.
Matching Exterior Fixtures
Mirror exterior sconces, path lighting and architectural lighting fixtures outside to interior lights for a cohesive lighting design.
Post Lights
Line the transition between indoors and outdoors with matching post-top lights to wash both areas with ambient lighting during evenings.
Landscape Lighting
Use elegant path lighting, step lights and spot lighting to showcase yard trees, planters and design features for a well-lit outdoor space.
Patio String Lights
Hang festive string lights over outdoor dining areas and living spaces to match the atmosphere of the indoor rooms at night.
Shared Fire Features
Incorporate a see-through indoor/outdoor fireplace, fire pit, fire table, or chiminea to unite these spaces after dark. The shared fire creates a welcoming focal point.
Blending Interior and Exterior Palettes
Using cohesive color and material palettes between indoor and outdoor zones creates unity. Consider blending these elements:
Matching Hues
Choose a common color scheme or complementary hues. For example, paint outdoor siding, shutters, doors, and patio furnishings in the same tones used inside.
Coordinating Textiles
Echo drapes, pillows, rugs and cushions in matching indoor and outdoor fabrics. Use patterns and solids that coordinate.
Consistent Finishes
Carry finishes like stone floors, hardwood, or ceramic tile from indoor rooms outside onto patios, walkways and alfresco dining areas.
Repeated Materials
Use signature materials like reclaimed wood or concrete pavers to pave patios and build planters, matching indoor uses.
Shared Plant Palette
Create a cohesive palette by using matching greenery, garden plants, potted plants, trees and flowers indoors and out.
Harmonious Style
Maintain the same decorating style or theme indoors and out for visual continuity. For example, echo coastal, farmhouse, or contemporary elements outside.
Unified Furnishings
Build continuity by selecting indoor and outdoor furnishings like dining sets, chaises, and accent tables from matching collections.
Decorating Tips
Use thoughtful decorating strategies to create synergy between indoor and outdoor areas:
Fresh Air Scents
Use lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, and pine essential oils or scented candles to infuse the interior with fresh, outdoorsy scents.
Botanical Accents
Decorate with natural touches like shells, wood accents, flower arrangements, plants, and wreaths to accentuate the indoor-outdoor connection.
Mirrored Elements
Place matching or mirrored decor like side tables, throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork indoors and outdoors to build cohesion.
Relaxed Fabrics
Decorate with breezy weather-resistant fabrics like Sunbrella, linen, seagrass, jute, and faded vintage materials.
Patinaed Metals
Use rustic, distressed metal finishes and aged patinas on lighting, hardware, furniture and architectural accents to unite indoor and outdoor spaces.
Woven Accessories
Incorporate natural woven accents like baskets, trays, Chargers, placemats and coasters indoors and out for a relaxed, inviting look.
Shared Collections
Decorate shelves and tabletops with matching collections of objects like shells, pottery, glassware, books, and sculptures throughout the home.
Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Gardens
Gardens, plants, and greenery flowing between interior and exterior areas help tie the spaces together:
Entry Planters
Flank exterior doors and entryways with dramatic overflowing planters. Use trellises and cascading greenery to create a garden-like entry.
Window Boxes
Install flower-filled window boxes beneath windows. Choose plants that complement interior decor.
Living Walls
Incorporate vertical gardens into the home’s interior spaces. Living green walls help freshen indoor air and reduce noise.
Indoor Trees and Plants
Place potted palms, lemon trees, and large dramatic houseplants in sunny indoor spots to visually bring the outdoors in.
Shared Plant Varieties
Plant matching garden plants, trees, and greenery in backyard beds and planters as the varieties used indoors.
Herb Gardens
Include a mini herb or vegetable garden right outside the kitchen doors or windows for easy access when cooking. Install matching herb pots indoors on sunny windowsills.
Conservatories
Attach a sunroom, greenhouse, solarium, or conservatory addition to create a glass-enclosed garden room. Use as an indoor/outdoor living space.
Environmentally Friendly Considerations
Sustainable design strategies make indoor-outdoor additions eco-friendly:
- Energy efficient windows, appliances, lighting and HVAC to reduce energy consumption. Look for Energy Star rated products.
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water, especially important in outdoor kitchens.
- Drought tolerant, native landscaping that requires less watering and maintenance in outdoor areas.
- Permeable patio surfaces like gravel and flagstone allow rainwater absorption to avoid runoff issues.
- Solar panels and electric vehicle chargers to utilize renewable solar energy.
- Smart home technology like automated LED lighting, programmable thermostats, and integration of indoor-outdoor audio and security systems.
- Eco-friendly and durable recycled or locally sourced construction materials like reclaimed wood floors, concrete counters, and stone veneer.
Making Outdoor Rooms Feel Like Indoors
Use enclosures, furnishings, and amenities to make outdoor “rooms” feel like livable extensions of the indoor spaces:
- Covered patios, pergolas, and gazebos provide shade and protection from weather.
- Plush weather-resistant rugs, drapes, curtains, and cushions add softness and comfort.
- Luxurious outdoor sectionals, chairs, chaises, and coffee tables create living room-like arrangements.
- Fireplaces, firepits, lamps, and heaters extend evenings outdoors.
- Fully-outfitted outdoor kitchens, bars, and dining areas function like indoor ones.
- Weatherproof cabinets, bookshelves, buffets, and storage contain supplies.
- Ceiling fans, lighting, music speakers, and televisions enhance ambiance.
- Decor touches like potted plants, canvas art, and floral arrangements provide finishing touches.
Making Indoor Rooms Feel Outside
Use design techniques to make interior spaces feel like outdoor rooms:
- Incorporate large glass doors, windows, or entire glass walls to erase barriers between indoors and outdoors.
- Allow greenery from planters and living walls to fill the interior space.
