7 Indian Living Rooms That Blur the Lines Between Inside and Outside
These living spaces combine the best of both worlds – the freedom of the outdoors with the comforts of indoor living
Being in the great outdoors has a calming effect. The fresh air, natural sunlight and lush greenery can make all your worries seem a million miles away. It is no wonder more and more Indian homes are embracing the indoor-outdoor living trend. Whether it’s incorporating private balconies for plants or installing skylights for light or full-length windows to maximise on the views, design professionals are getting better at seamlessly merging homes with their surroundings.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend retreat in Alibaug or a bungalow in the heart of a busy city, these inspirational areas bring together the best of indoor and outdoor living.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend retreat in Alibaug or a bungalow in the heart of a busy city, these inspirational areas bring together the best of indoor and outdoor living.
2. Glass house
Location: Khandala, Maharashtra
Designer: Abraham John Architects and S2 Realty
Conceptualised as a holiday home, this project has been designed to enjoy Khandala’s spectacular rains from the comfort of a sheltered living room. The double-height space with glass walls on either side heightens the experience, while allowing an uninterrupted view across the dining area and the surrounding garden and pool.
Location: Khandala, Maharashtra
Designer: Abraham John Architects and S2 Realty
Conceptualised as a holiday home, this project has been designed to enjoy Khandala’s spectacular rains from the comfort of a sheltered living room. The double-height space with glass walls on either side heightens the experience, while allowing an uninterrupted view across the dining area and the surrounding garden and pool.
3. Natural extension
Location: Alibaug, Maharashtra
Designer: Architecture BRIO
This house stands in a garden that’s full of medicinal and fruit trees and has a stream running through it. This not only creates a comfortable microclimate, but also the ideal ambience to unwind in nature. To enjoy the panoramic view of a mountain range in the distance, the living room is designed at an elevation, while folding doors further extend the space on to an outdoor deck. The large window floods the living room with sunshine, giving a sense of unity with nature, yet providing protection from the elements.
Location: Alibaug, Maharashtra
Designer: Architecture BRIO
This house stands in a garden that’s full of medicinal and fruit trees and has a stream running through it. This not only creates a comfortable microclimate, but also the ideal ambience to unwind in nature. To enjoy the panoramic view of a mountain range in the distance, the living room is designed at an elevation, while folding doors further extend the space on to an outdoor deck. The large window floods the living room with sunshine, giving a sense of unity with nature, yet providing protection from the elements.
4. Floating oasis
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Designer: Architecture Paradigm
Besides trees, there are other ways to create the outdoor feel. Architecture Paradigm uses a water body, skylights, a wooden deck and stone finishes to bring the natural element inside. This cantilevered living room overlooks the pool and its deck, while the double height and skylights add that feeling of openness and fresh air.
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Designer: Architecture Paradigm
Besides trees, there are other ways to create the outdoor feel. Architecture Paradigm uses a water body, skylights, a wooden deck and stone finishes to bring the natural element inside. This cantilevered living room overlooks the pool and its deck, while the double height and skylights add that feeling of openness and fresh air.
5. Design around nature
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Designer: SPASM Design Architects
Talk about minimising environmental impact. None of the 284 existing trees or the extensive lawn were harmed in the construction of this house. As the living space has glass walls running along two sides, it seamlessly connects with the surrounding verdant environment. The wooden ceiling and other wooden accents further up the nature quotient.
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Designer: SPASM Design Architects
Talk about minimising environmental impact. None of the 284 existing trees or the extensive lawn were harmed in the construction of this house. As the living space has glass walls running along two sides, it seamlessly connects with the surrounding verdant environment. The wooden ceiling and other wooden accents further up the nature quotient.
6. Courtyard house
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Designer: Hiren Patel Architects
When you have a view like this, it is only natural to encase the space in glass walls. This family home exemplifies the beauty of a simple thing done well. The sliding doors blur the lines between the interiors and the outside as they extend this casual living room into the reflection pool and garden beyond. The space has the airy feel of an outdoor retreat, yet enjoys the perks of indoor living.
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Designer: Hiren Patel Architects
When you have a view like this, it is only natural to encase the space in glass walls. This family home exemplifies the beauty of a simple thing done well. The sliding doors blur the lines between the interiors and the outside as they extend this casual living room into the reflection pool and garden beyond. The space has the airy feel of an outdoor retreat, yet enjoys the perks of indoor living.
7. Green screen
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Designer: Cadence Architects
Cadence Architects proves that you don’t need to have a lush outdoor space to create the indoor-outdoor vibe. Although located in an urban context, the the row of planters along the low wall of the facade fill the windows with greenery, creating the ultimate smokescreen. The same wall flows seamlessly outwards into the balcony, and the grass-green hue of the carpet continues as the green grass floor outside. The combination of green and white, paired with the strategic use of glass, enhances the sense of space in this living room.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
Beautiful Inside-Outside Bathrooms We Love
Tell us:
Which of these is your favourite indoor-outdoor living room? Comment below.
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Designer: Cadence Architects
Cadence Architects proves that you don’t need to have a lush outdoor space to create the indoor-outdoor vibe. Although located in an urban context, the the row of planters along the low wall of the facade fill the windows with greenery, creating the ultimate smokescreen. The same wall flows seamlessly outwards into the balcony, and the grass-green hue of the carpet continues as the green grass floor outside. The combination of green and white, paired with the strategic use of glass, enhances the sense of space in this living room.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: A House of Courtyards
Beautiful Inside-Outside Bathrooms We Love
Tell us:
Which of these is your favourite indoor-outdoor living room? Comment below.
Location: National Capital Region, Delhi
Designer: Monica Khanna Designs
Part of an outhouse, this informal sitting area was designed for entertaining. Monica Khanna has done away with the conventional block-like format and spread the structure over the three-acre site. Large windows and skylights visually connect the exteriors to the interiors. They have been positioned for the best views of the lush green landscape. For instance, this glass-walled space is set in the midst of a pool, a lily pond and a large Buddha water body and garden. The hardwood floor and antique ceiling fans and lights add to the rustic vibe.
See more of this house