As daylight savings returns to the southern states and spring stretches the evenings, Australians are reclaiming their backyards, not just as places to unwind but as stylish sanctuaries designed for golden hour living.
Australian Outdoor Living has forecast that investment in outdoor spaces will hit record highs in 2025 as Aussies embrace the new wave of twilight entertaining with outdoor zones for dining, lounging and gatherings that extend the day into night.
Recent ABS data shows that Australians are already pouring more into upgrading their homes: The value of residential alterations and additions increased to $3.44 billion in the March 2025 quarter alone, a 1.3% rise from the previous quarter.
Renovations make up almost 40% of total residential construction spend which is up from 34% five years ago.
Australian Outdoor Living’s Alexandra Hand says the rising trend of at-home entertainment, which started off the back of the pandemic, has not slowed down and is driving significant growth in investment into backyard transformations
“What Aussie spend on their backyards is growing at around 7% per annum as we make them a sanctuary in every sense,” she says.
“By day it’s practical and family-friendly, but as the sun drops, it transforms into a place for entertaining and slowing down.”
That momentum is underpinned by wider market confidence. The outdoor living structures market in Australia, which spans across pergolas, decks and alfresco zones, is projected to grow at 7.3% annually through to 2030.
“This year we’re seeing more home owners design for those in-between hours, with warm lighting, layered shading and heating to make the outdoors usable well past sunset,” Alexandra says.
Unlike the traditional summer focus on shade and heat resilience, the spring “golden hour” trend is about mood and atmosphere.
“Designers and stylists are increasingly layering zoned spaces: Casual dining areas, relaxed lounges with outdoor rugs and cushions and fire or heating features that anchor people together as the temperature dips,” Alexandra adds.
“Integrated products are leading the way, such as automated retractable outdoor blinds that allow spaces to shift with the light and reduce evening breezes without interrupting the view. Adding built-in lighting, from LED strip details to overhead pendants, means the backyard feels more like an extension of the living room than an afterthought.”
She notes that outdoor heating has also entered the mainstream. From portable fire pits to fully integrated gas fire tables, warmth is becoming a design choice as much as a practical one.
“The appeal of golden hour is universal, and the right mix of shading, lighting and heating ensures you can enjoy it in style.”
The golden hour checklist
• Zoned entertaining: Define separate areas for dining, lounging and gathering with furniture, rugs and screens.
• Smart shading: Use adjustable automated retractable outdoor blinds to control the shifting light.
• Layered lighting: Mix ambient, task and decorative fixtures to carry the space from dusk to dark.
• Heating features: Add fire pits or integrated heaters to keep gatherings comfortable as temperatures drop.
• Seamless design: Use matching finishes and outdoor-rated fabrics so the backyard feels like a true extension of the home.
