Outdoor living room with automated louvre, gas fireplace, and outdoor kitchen

Project Overview

This bungalow had an outdoor area that was old, unattractive, and unused. The client wanted to turn it into a proper “outdoor room” that would feel like an extension of the house. The new space needed weather cover, better flow to the garden, and features that made it comfortable for both everyday living and entertaining.

The Zones Landscaping team designed and built a stylish outdoor living area that included an automated louvre roof, a gas fireplace, a custom outdoor kitchen (with a fridge and Weber BBQ), and built-in seating with squabs. 

Small additions during the build, extra garden lighting, and an extra screen, brought the final cost slightly above the original budget.

Design & Planning

It was a design-led project from the start. The client was focused on creating a premium outdoor space that did not compromise comfort, usability, or visual appeal. Early discussions centred on how the space would be used throughout the year and how it would integrate with the existing bungalow.

The final design included a decked outdoor room with an automated louvre system, allowing flexible control over light and weather protection. A gas fireplace was added to ensure the space could be comfortably used during cooler months, while a custom outdoor kitchen made the area ideal for entertaining.

One key design challenge was achieving enough height for the louvre system. It was resolved by adjusting how the louvre structure connected to the house, creating additional clearance and improving overall comfort.

Council consent was required for the project and was obtained during the planning phase, allowing the build to proceed smoothly.

Project Execution

The build phase took approximately 12 weeks, following the completion of the design and consent process. The Zones Landscaping team managed the full build and coordinated all trades involved.

The scope of work included deck construction, installation of the automated louvre system, installation of a gas fireplace, and construction of a fully custom outdoor kitchen. Built-in seating was designed to maximise usable space while maintaining a clean, uncluttered layout.

Durable outdoor fabrics were used for the squabs to ensure long-term performance, and integrated lighting was installed within the louvre system and surrounding areas to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in the evenings.

During the build, the client chose to add extra garden lighting and an additional screen. These additions increased the final cost slightly, bringing the total project cost to $147,000.

Challenges Overcome

The main challenge was achieving sufficient height for the louvre system while maintaining a clean and well-integrated connection to the existing bungalow. A design adjustment to the louvre attachment resolved this issue without affecting the overall look or structure.

Clear communication and careful coordination between the design team, builders, and installers helped keep the project on track and avoid delays.