Best of the Week: 32 Kitchens That Connect to the Outdoors
A kitchen that connects to the garden is a goal many renovators share. Here's how it's been achieved around the world
From french doors to picture windows and huge openings, having a kitchen space that allows a line of sight to the outdoors is often high on a renovator’s wish list. It allows preparation of meals with beautiful views and natural light, oversight of any children playing outside and easy access to any outdoor gathering. If this is something you aspire to, rest your eyes on these possibilities…
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
2. Location: Singapore
Features: While not physically connecting, the double windows allow a view to nature.
Features: While not physically connecting, the double windows allow a view to nature.
3. Location: Barcelona, Spain
Features: Simple doors that connect to a narrow boundary.
Features: Simple doors that connect to a narrow boundary.
4. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: The Designory
Features: The pairing of bifold windows and doors to really open the space up.
Designer: The Designory
Features: The pairing of bifold windows and doors to really open the space up.
5. Location: London, UK
Features: A picture window and stacking door combination.
Features: A picture window and stacking door combination.
6. Location: Perth, WA
Designer: Klopper and Davis Architects
Features: Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and a glass splashback with garden views.
Designer: Klopper and Davis Architects
Features: Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and a glass splashback with garden views.
7. Location: Auckland, NZ
Designer: KMD Kitchens
Features: Bifold doors that show they work just as well in traditional abodes as well as modern homes.
Designer: KMD Kitchens
Features: Bifold doors that show they work just as well in traditional abodes as well as modern homes.
8. Location: London, UK
Features: Boldly framed large-format windows that draw the eye outwards.
Features: Boldly framed large-format windows that draw the eye outwards.
9. Location: San Diego, USA
Features: A stable door to let the fresh air flow through.
Features: A stable door to let the fresh air flow through.
10. Location: Spain
Features: A delightful arched opening.
Features: A delightful arched opening.
11. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Durant Building Design
Features: Unimpeded access to the garden plus a benchtop view to a narrow courtyard with climbing plants.
Designer: Durant Building Design
Features: Unimpeded access to the garden plus a benchtop view to a narrow courtyard with climbing plants.
12. Location: Spain
Features: A huge glass wall paired with an eye-catching door.
Features: A huge glass wall paired with an eye-catching door.
13. Location: Perth, WA
Designer: Principal Pools + Landscapes
Features: A glass splashback with view onto bamboo. Always a good way to bring the outside in.
Designer: Principal Pools + Landscapes
Features: A glass splashback with view onto bamboo. Always a good way to bring the outside in.
14. Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Features: A glass door to bring light, and the possibility of greenery, into the kitchen.
Features: A glass door to bring light, and the possibility of greenery, into the kitchen.
15. Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Features: A sliding door that leads to a narrow deck. This is a great example of using what you have, despite a site’s natural constraints.
Features: A sliding door that leads to a narrow deck. This is a great example of using what you have, despite a site’s natural constraints.
16. Location: Perth, WA
Designer: WA Country Builders
Features: A butler’s window from the kitchen; a modern way to connect with the outdoors.
Designer: WA Country Builders
Features: A butler’s window from the kitchen; a modern way to connect with the outdoors.
17. Location: Seattle, USA
Features: An eat-in kitchen with one the dining table abutting a fabulous garden vignette.
Features: An eat-in kitchen with one the dining table abutting a fabulous garden vignette.
18. Location: Nuremberg, Germany
Features: Walls of glass and the kitchen arranged for both views and to maximise workable space.
Features: Walls of glass and the kitchen arranged for both views and to maximise workable space.
Here’s another angle that shows the sheer amount of glass.
19. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Designed by Karen Akers
Features: A butler’s window, coastal style.
Designer: Designed by Karen Akers
Features: A butler’s window, coastal style.
20. Location: Sydney, NSW
Features: Optimal views to the stunning water vista.
Features: Optimal views to the stunning water vista.
21. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Features: Full-width stacking doors with view to the pool, paired with clerestory windows for glimpses of sky.
Features: Full-width stacking doors with view to the pool, paired with clerestory windows for glimpses of sky.
22. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Designs Australia
Features: A glass vestibule punched out of the wall to bring green views and light.
Designer: Designs Australia
Features: A glass vestibule punched out of the wall to bring green views and light.
23. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: K2LD Architects and Interior Designers
Features: Taking the sliding door concept even further with a fixed window topped by an open window to really open up the space.
Designer: K2LD Architects and Interior Designers
Features: Taking the sliding door concept even further with a fixed window topped by an open window to really open up the space.
24. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Nexus Designs
Features: An arched feature window that says the view isn’t the only thing worth noticing.
Designer: Nexus Designs
Features: An arched feature window that says the view isn’t the only thing worth noticing.
25. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Features: A full-wall opening with a view on to a stunning vertical garden.
Features: A full-wall opening with a view on to a stunning vertical garden.
26. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: PlantoBuild
Features: Mid-height sets of windows that offer just enough of the outside without compromising privacy.
Designer: PlantoBuild
Features: Mid-height sets of windows that offer just enough of the outside without compromising privacy.
27. Location: Sydney, NSW
Features: Bifold doors that open the kitchen space right up to the entertaining area, with foliage found overhead.
Features: Bifold doors that open the kitchen space right up to the entertaining area, with foliage found overhead.
28. Location: London
Features: Polished industrial decor matched with a 3/4 fixed pane and open window.
Features: Polished industrial decor matched with a 3/4 fixed pane and open window.
29. Location: London
Features: Glass walls with full views to a rambling garden.
Features: Glass walls with full views to a rambling garden.
30. Location: Ottawa, Canada
Features: Light emitting framed windows surrounded entirely by white.
Features: Light emitting framed windows surrounded entirely by white.
31. Location: New York
Features: Glass surrounding the working kitchen spaces, complete with shelving for gaze and display.
Features: Glass surrounding the working kitchen spaces, complete with shelving for gaze and display.
32. Location: London
Features: Bifold doors that pull right back for full access to the outdoors, and clerestory windows that reach to the pitched ceiling line.
Tell us
Which set-up is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Check out our Best of the Week series.
Features: Bifold doors that pull right back for full access to the outdoors, and clerestory windows that reach to the pitched ceiling line.
Tell us
Which set-up is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Check out our Best of the Week series.
Sponsored
Designer: Woodstock Industries
Features: French doors with a modern twist in the form of bauhaus-style steel frames.