Perth gets 3,200 hours of sunshine per year — more than almost any Australian capital city, and comparable to parts of California and the Mediterranean. That’s not a statistic to note and move on from. It’s the most important design constraint for every Perth home. A house that doesn’t engage with its outdoor space in Perth is leaving its best asset on the table.
The alfresco — covered or partially covered outdoor entertaining area — is one of the most-used spaces in a well-designed Perth home. For eight months of the year, it’s genuinely liveable. In summer, it’s where the household retreats from the heat of the interior. In winter, it’s a sheltered space that extends the warmth of the indoor rooms outdoors.
A well-executed alfresco renovation doesn’t just add a pleasant outdoor area. It adds a room — and in Perth’s property market, that room is valued accordingly.
Designed around the social use of the outdoor space. Built-in BBQ and outdoor kitchen. Long benchtop for buffet-style entertaining. Bar fridge and sink integrated into the cabinetry. Feature lighting — pendants, downlights, or LED strip — that creates ambiance in the evening.
An outdoor kitchen is not just a BBQ in a cabinet. It’s a dedicated cooking and preparation space that means the host is present for the gathering rather than retreating to the indoor kitchen. In a well-designed entertainer’s alfresco, the outdoor kitchen is the social centre of the space
Good for: Households that entertain regularly. Inner Perth suburbs where outdoor entertaining is part of the lifestyle.
A louvre roof system — motorised or manual — transforms the alfresco from a seasonal space into a year-round room. In summer, the louvres open to allow air flow and star-gazing. In Perth’s brief winter rains, they close to create a covered outdoor room. In spring and autumn, they adjust to manage direct sun and cool breezes.
The louvre roof is the highest-value single addition to a Perth alfresco from a functionality standpoint. It extends the usable season of the space and creates genuine flexibility that a fixed Colorbond roof doesn’t offer
Good for: Any Perth alfresco that is used year-round or where the homeowner wants maximum flexibility
Designed around the connection between the indoor living area and the outdoor space. Bifold or stacker doors at the boundary. A continuous floor finish running inside and out. A consistent ceiling height if possible. Furniture that reads as a continuation of the indoor living area rather than a separate outdoor setting.
In Perth’s climate, this approach makes the combined indoor-outdoor space feel genuinely larger for the majority of the year. The visual and physical connection between rooms is one of the most effective ways to make a Perth home feel more spacious without extending the building footprint.
Good for: Homes where the alfresco is directly adjacent to the main living area. Particularly valuable where the indoor living space is modest in size.
Less focused on the structure and more on the relationship between the covered area and the garden beyond. Consistent paving running from the alfresco into the garden. Garden lighting that creates ambiance after dark. Planting that provides both privacy and softness. A water feature or fire pit as a focal point.
Good for: Homes with larger gardens. Properties in inner Perth suburbs where a generous garden is part of the lifestyle.
Perth’s most traditional outdoor paving material and one of its most enduring. Warm honey and cream tones suit the Perth palette. Ages gracefully — develops character over time rather than looking tired. Requires sealing to resist staining, particularly under an outdoor kitchen.
Good for: Western suburbs character homes. Properties where a warm, natural material palette is the brief.
The dominant choice for new alfresco paving in Perth in 2026. Available in stone looks, concrete looks, and timber looks. Slip-rated for outdoor use. Extremely durable. Low maintenance. Runs visually inside to outside when the same tile is used in both locations.
Good for: Contemporary homes. Open plan renovations where indoor-outdoor continuity is the brief.
Low-maintenance alternative to timber decking. Termite-resistant. Doesn’t require annual oiling. Feels warm underfoot compared to tile. Works well where the alfresco is elevated or where a deck profile suits the house better than a paved surface.
Good for: Homes with elevated outdoor areas. Properties where a deck profile is architecturally appropriate.
Alfresco paving trends are slower-moving than interior trends. Limestone and porcelain in warm and natural tones have been consistently popular for 20 years in Perth and show no signs of fading. Very fashion-forward paving choices — strong geometric patterns, highly saturated colours — carry more risk of feeling dated. If in doubt, go for a tone and format that suits the house’s character and the surrounding garden rather than what’s on a trend board.
Alfresco lighting is one of the most consistently overlooked elements in an outdoor living renovation — and one of the details that makes the biggest difference to how the space feels in the evening. An alfresco with flat downlight-only illumination feels like a car park. One with layered lighting feels like an extension of the home.
Every alfresco project with House & Co is designed in 3D before any structure is touched. You see the finished outdoor space — louvre roof, kitchen, paving, lighting — before any commitment is made. For structural additions, permits are managed entirely by House & Co.
Free in-home consultation. 3D design before you commit. Fixed-scope quote. (08) 9480 0408
