Three Tips for Bringing the Outside In

• Ronnie Gor

Regardless of climate, there are countless advantages to bringing some of the outside elements into your home. Some parts of the country, like southern California where we’re located, do make this a little easier by being more conducive to year-round outdoor living but, even in regions with the full four seasons, it’s possible to take advantage of what nature has to offer.

When starting fresh and designing a home from the ground up, the exterior elements are one of the first considerations we make at amorphous.Studio after fully understanding the client’s unique needs and expectations for the home. By taking this approach, we’re able to ensure that the building is as much a part of its surroundings as its surroundings are a part of it. However, a home does not need to be newly designed and constructed to bring the outside in, which is why we also apply this same approach to redesigning existing homes. With an understanding of the build context – the elements that affect both the site and the home itself – and some well-thought design, it’s possible to redesign your existing home to better embrace your surroundings.

1. Welcome Natural Light

One of the most significant changes you can make is increasing the natural light that you invite into your home. Depending on the location of your home, this may be as simple as adding or moving windows, but more constrained spaces or those with more challenging exterior elements may require extra thought.

Site constraints, even with a fairly unrestricted lot, are important. Trees and other growth affect light in ways that change dramatically with the seasons, and the position of the sun in relation to how the house sits must also be factored in. When considering window placement in a new or soon-to-be rehabbed home, think of the direction of the light throughout the day, the desire for direct versus indirect light in a space, and how the light will move throughout the year. Finally, the size of windows and openings is important as it affects the amount of natural light brought into the home and scales your view of the outside world.

2. Think About Exterior Views

The views you’re able to enjoy looking out the windows are just as important as the light those windows will bring into the home. The preference here will vary from one homeowner to the next and may also be largely site and room dependent. Exterior views can help the room feel larger and more open and can even help influence the interior design elements you choose for your home. Being mindful of what’s most visible can also help you incorporate natural textures into your space.

3. Be Open to Open Spaces

Opening spaces in your home makes a big difference when increasing the amount of light and the way this light fills your rooms. Especially in more restricted sites, opening the interior can be a great way to bring extra light into otherwise more limited spaces. Offering this connection to the outside world also helps your space feel larger and more seamlessly a part of the world around.

Nature itself is probably the best architect, so it only makes sense that we take cues from it, whether you’re in a bustling city or surrounded by sprawling fields. Bringing the outdoors into your home through architectural elements and interior design expands your space, adds depth and texture to your home, and helps you live in closer harmony with the world around.