Freedom takes us into the outdoor room

For a long time, the great Aussie backyard was often a great waste of space.

Home to a patch of grass, a washing line and the occasional neglected veggie patch, it was usually an area that didn’t get the attention it needed.

Over time, swimming pools, pergolas, barbecues and more moved in, transforming the spaces into something more usable, but after a pandemic followed by nation-wide financial strain, our love of the backyard has gone into overdrive.

“Making the best use of our backyards is important in my eyes, especially off the back of covid and the rising cost of living,” says The Block Island’s Courtney, whose backyard wowed the judges during backyard week, winning two perfect tens to take out the week.

“With many of us spending more time at home, our outdoor spaces offer an escape, a place to relax and entertain family and friends. Investing in your backyard naturally increases your home's value and allows you to enjoy your surroundings without always feeling the need to go out and spend extra money - it’s about making the most of what we have at home!”

For The Block Island contestants, a big part of getting it right was finding the right outdoor furniture and for that, they turned to the experts of Freedom.

In Maddy and Charlotte’s House 1, it was the Freedom Boree range that took centre stage, with an armchair and sofa in Teak Natural.

Ricky and Haydn opted to add an element of fun to their poolside with Freedom's poufes.

House 3 also fell in love with Freedom's Boree Sofa Package, creating the perfect place for an afternoon sundowner!

Kylie and Brad chose the Cannes collection, with the sunloungers making a statement by the pool. 

In Courtney’s winning House 2 backyard, she chose the Sonata Armchair and Sofa in the patio sitting area and the Boree Armchairs around the firepit.

Using items from the same range is a great way to create a sense of cohesion in the yard even if the items are in different zones, but as Courtney proved, mixing-and-matching from different ranges – all dedicated for outdoor use and low-maintenance for easy upkeep - can give each space its own unique look.

“When building a new yard, it's important to think about creating different zones,” she says.

Courtney and Grant chose the Boree Armchair's and the Biscay Dining Package for their alfresco patio.

“You might want an entertaining area for sitting, cooking, and gathering with friends, a grassed space for activities, and if your budget allows, a pool or separate seating area,” she says.

The stylish Sonata Sofa looks fabulous on Courtney and Grant's deck.

“This was especially important for us when designing a holiday home, as different zones make the space more functional.”

Choosing two separate looks can instantly give the zones a completely different vibe, Courtney says, allowing the users to feel like they have a spot all to themselves.

“For us, all the furniture we chose had character and tied in with our Moditerranean aesthetic so it was really important to pick pieces that complemented each other and felt like they belonged together, but they don’t have to match exactly.

“Personally, I prefer avoiding repeating furniture throughout a space—having a more eclectic mix adds character and makes the space more interesting!”

It’s all got to be part of an overall plan, Courtney adds, to make sure the area is not only beautiful, but liveable.

“Grant and I are very family-oriented and love to entertain, so it was important to design a space that’s functional, comfortable, and welcoming for entertaining,” she says.

“The amenities you put in place are important, as are the plants you choose and the layout you decide on - thankfully we had Grant for that, it’s what he does for work and he did an incredible job! - but the furniture is super important.

“It’s where people will relax, get together to enjoy each other’s company and really feel at home so make sure you get it right!”

In House 5, Kristian and Mimi chose the CANNES Sofa Package creating a stunning sitting area on their deck.

To see the full range of Freedom's outdoor range click here.