Feature article
Creating Resort Style Living at Home
Create a home that combines contemporary living with a coastal or tropical vibe.
24 June 2024
The use of full-height, full-width glazing in this house by Paul Francis Architects immediately establishes a resort-style atmosphere by seamlessly linking the built and natural environments. Image: Simon Wilson
Resort-style living is an increasingly popular trend in both architecture and design as homeowners look to create homes that combine contemporary living with a coastal or tropical vibe.
At its core, resort-style living embraces open, light-filled floor plans that seamlessly transition into outdoor spaces, taking the best design elements from residential and resort architecture to create sleek, refined luxury.
Holiday at home – creating resort-style interiors
Typically, resort-style interiors feature polished concrete, a minimal design aesthetic and a neutral colour palette with an emphasis on indoor plants and botanicals. Homes often include luxurious amenities such as spa bathrooms, gourmet kitchens with high-end appliances, home theatres and wine cellars — all designed to provide a sense of comfort, elegance and relaxation.
The mix of rich natural materials, teamed with the polished concrete floor all speak to the sleek luxury that underpins resort-style living in this home by Condon Scott Architects. Image: Simon Devitt
Therefore, the secret to creating resort-style living in your own home is to include plush furnishings, layered lighting elements and textures and colours inspired by nature and which evoke a sense of serenity.
Biophilic design — the incorporation of the natural world into the built environment — has been shown to generate feelings of wellbeing and, not surprisingly, plays a large role in resort-style living. The obvious element of this is bringing plants indoors, but you should also consider more intangible aspects such as natural lighting and ventilation.
It may sound peculiar, but creating areas of interest, or ‘interior views’ — niches where you can place objet d’art, or even small water features or aquaria — throughout the public areas of your home will encourage visitors to take a moment to relax and invite contemplation.
It’s important to remember that resort-style living is not only confined to the daylight hours, making a considered lighting scheme an integral part of the overall design concept. Wherever possible throughout the living areas of your home, layer lighting through the use of floor lamps, table lamps, downlights and indirect lighting so that you can control the mood of each space, focusing on relaxation and comfort.
Sundowners by the pool – creating a resort-style exterior
Resort-style living is all about creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor — think large decks or terraces with ample seating areas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and swimming pools; all are common features of resort-style homes.
Layered landscaping, such as in this award-winning landscape by Baxter Design Group, that features areas of interest and places to relax will ensure visitors to your garden enjoy a resort-style atmosphere.
If you’re working with an established garden look at how you can incorporate resort-style living elements into it. These include focal points such as a fire pit and/or water feature, as well as an area for quiet contemplation. You want to draw people into the garden, so give them areas to explore.
Don’t forget to dress the space as well. The addition of sculptural pieces, as well as other artworks, placed strategically, will help draw people deeper into the garden, allowing them to discover new and exciting elements.
Equally important, proper lighting is a key element to creating a resort-style exterior space. If you haven’t already done so, and your budget allows, incorporating up-lights into your garden beds to highlight particular plants is a great way to add interest.
While hard landscaping is an essential part of any outdoor space, it doesn’t have to be sterile. Look to incorporate a variety of natural materials — such as sandstone, slate and timber — to provide both textural and aesthetic interest to your design scheme.
Most of all, remember to include an element of whimsy, after all, you’re looking to recreate the feeling of being on holiday all year round.
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