Once the proud home of a Hills Hoist, a rusty swing set and a four-burner BBQ with an esky parked nearby, the traditional Aussie backyard has evolved into an additional room that is the heart of the home all year round.
Part of this evolution can be attributed to a vision by Australian Outdoor Living founder Colin Kuchel, a South Australian entrepreneur.
“Back before I took the punt on establishing the company, the backyard was often just a patch of grass you might use for a summer barbie or the odd cricket match,” he says.
“I’d seen how restaurants were using blinds and smart layouts to create outdoor spaces people wanted to be in year-round – and saw the potential for homeowners to convert their backyard into a dream outdoor room that was the centrepiece of the home. All they needed was a range of products that were available to the residential market.”
This year, Australian Outdoor Living is celebrating 20 years of leading that transformation – from humble Adelaide beginnings to becoming one of the country’s best-known names in outdoor living.
Two decades later, Aussie homes are embracing pergolas with automated blinds, built-in lighting and heating, outdoor kitchens with integrated grills and fridges and artificial lawns that mean you can ditch the mower for good.
“Forget mowing a quarter-acre block on a scorching Saturday – today’s backyards are high-tech, low-maintenance, and designed to be a central outdoor room in the home where people can entertain, escape and even exercise,” he says.
Australian Outdoor Living began as a three-person team specialising in residential outdoor blinds.
Today, they’ve helped more than 175,000 home owners fall in love with their backyards – expanding their offering to roller shutters, pergolas, verandas, decking, outdoor kitchens and low-maintenance lawns across five states.
“We’ve seen the backyard evolve from an afterthought to a genuine extension of the home,” Australian Outdoor Living chief executive Chris Taylor says.
“The next chapter is about making them even smarter and more sustainable – so Australians can enjoy beautiful, functional spaces without the upkeep. We’re committed to staying ahead of lifestyle trends and ensuring the great Aussie backyard continues to be at the heart of our home.”
And as for the Hills Hoist? It’s still a classic – but now it’s more likely to be surrounded by a wine bar, a pizza oven and a spot to stream the footy outdoors.
