The luxury of space is often in short supply, leading smart homeowners to maximise the use of every nook, or where possible, expand their residence. From conservatories to loft conversions, redesigning to increase internal square footage can transform a property. In recent years, though, the interior-design world has turned its sights to another alternative – outdoor living. Far from simply accommodating a garden or swimming pool, outdoor areas are now being recreated by savvy architects as versatile spaces for dining, entertaining, exercising and relaxation.

The sign of a well-conceived design is how seamlessly the outside and inside areas fuse; the finished product should feel like a natural extension of an existing space. These seven properties achieve this and more, reflecting some of the world’s greatest outdoor-meets-indoor residential designs.

Wonder in Wood

Architect Arthur Casas of São Paulo-based Studio Arthur Casas designed his own dream residence in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, which extends its lush tentacles through his home state. Iporanga House, nestled within a nature reserve, has enviable external space, and effortlessly blends the indoors with the out. Orthogonal lines and minimalist décor underscore a sharp, fuss-free design. Exposed brick walls add a touch of rustic charm, while glazed sliding doors ease the transition from external to internal.

Chunky panelled Cumara, a durable local hardwood, clads the house and the broad terrace and pool deck extending out on one side. The wooden decking leads into a bespoke kitchen and sleek dining area, then flows flawlessly through the entire ground floor. With no one area dominating the layout, the elegant open-plan aesthetic lures Casas and his guests outdoors, where the surrounding tropical foliage adds a sense of serenity and calm.

Casa Grand

Another standout São Paulo offering comes in the form of Casa 6, an aesthetically imposing split-level home designed by Brazilian architect and filmmaker Marcio Kogan. This modern portico structure brings a sense of contemporary grandeur to suburban living. Supported by slim pillars, one part of the house is suspended over a versatile outdoor space, sheltering it from the elements. A roughly hewn stone wall acts as a backdrop for the rustic furniture in this casual lounge.

Further spacious outdoor living, including an inviting dining area, is found in an adjacent low-build area. A green-lit lap pool, which leads down from the sliding doors of the kitchen, is the perfect place for an evening swim. The surrounding sub-tropical ferns, palms and flowers are a fragrant reminder of the residence’s Brazilian rainforest location.

Aqua Allure

Water is the watchword at Acqua Liana, a breathtaking seven-bedroom ocean-front residence located within Florida’s exclusive Manalapan Beach estate. The home offers tropical outside living at its most extravagant. The brainchild of real-estate mogul Frank McKinney, it features a meandering lazy river, a lap pool and deck, a lagoon plunge pool, a spacious spa with a waterfall, a kitchen-and-dining water wall, a glass water floor revealing brilliant hand-painted tiles, and an arched aquarium wet bar. His-and-her ocean-view bathtubs, a sandy expanse of private beach, and a private dock large enough for a 36-metre yacht complete the waterworld pleasures.

Materials such as bamboo, coconut and reclaimed teak keep things natural, a suitable touch for a home which was hailed as ‘Florida’s greenest mansion’ upon its completion in 2006.

The Hawaiian Koa-wood kitchen opens directly onto blossom-filled gardens, creating a sense of lush greenery throughout.

Sea Escape

Over on the US Pacific Coast, exceptional sea views and a sense of seamlessness between the interiors and the great outdoors make an oceanside residence designed by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects an ideal Malibu vacation home – or a haven for year-round living. For this Californian project, the New York-headquartered firm envisaged a façade that emphasises contrasting heights. A circulation zone runs parallel to the external wall that connects the different levels both physically and visually. Ample glass windows and accents of wood add to an ambience of space, nature and light.

The layered design at the back of the property truly shines. Framing a handsome swimming pool are a deck and dining area, a raised sun-lounging platform, a small balcony, and an elevated covered space that allows residents to lounge while contemplating the sea. The surrounding lawn is an oasis of green, and minimalist outdoor furnishings complement the stark, sleek beauty of the main house.

Infinity and Beyond

Among the many mansions littering LA’s prestigious Bel Air district is an ultra-modern residence where the outside living space showcases A-list-worthy features. A 40-metre infinity pool affording views across the Los Angeles Basin takes centre stage, flanked by an immaculately manicured lawn and deck area. The designers focused on bringing the inside out, installing elegant sofas and lounging spaces that offer relaxation with all the usual comforts.

Attention-grabbing modern art and sculptures dot the grounds of this contemporary home, providing quirky contrast to the garden’s pristine white walls. Another welcome inclusion is a sunken fire pit, which enables al-fresco fun with guests even on the occasional chilly Californian evening.

Above the Beach

A penthouse blueprinted and built by Sydney-based MPR Design Group offers a spectacular, uninterrupted view of the city’s iconic Bondi Beach. When constructing a futuristic white metal-clad structure atop an existing Art Deco building, the architects went to town to create an expansive contemporary area for outdoor relaxing and entertaining. External lines and fittings are blurred, imparting a sense of both modernity and softness. In an arresting floating joinery element, an external horizontal blade serves as a daybed.

Wide lime-washed timber floors form a sleek, smooth deck, where a large dining table and chairs are positioned at one end – an idyllic spot for supper under the stars. An open-plan kitchen which any host would be proud of is conveniently accessed by huge sliding doors – and these can be opened to extend the outside space further.

Leaf Motif

Back to Brazil, where the magnificent Casa Folha – built beside a beach in Rio de Janeiro state – is based on the principle of merging separated spaces. Modelled on Brazilian indigenous houses, this distinctive property is shaded by a six-pointed ‘leaf’ roof (folha means leaf in Portuguese). Dozens of sliding glass doors open into an array of external living areas.

Architect studio Mareines+Patalano built in some serious spots for rest and relaxation. The swimming pool snakes into the house, effortlessly blending both indoor and outdoor worlds, before transforming into a pond complete with exotic fish. The front pool deck – scattered with bespoke sofas – is the perfect place to unwind, while in the outdoor lounge towards the rear, hammocks sway gently above a deck made from sustainably sourced wood.