7 amazing benefits of interior courtyards

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A single-storey Courtyard House: East Dulwich , Designcubed Designcubed Modern kitchen
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Architecturally, courtyards make perfect sense. They give the residents of a home a private outdoor space, which is secure and usable throughout the day. With its natural ventilation, a courtyard helps the house stay appropriately warm or cool without the need for heaters and air conditioners.

In a warm climate, a courtyard can bring down the house’s temperature, saving on energy bills. Several courtyards also include natural cooling elements as a part of their design like a fountain, a basin, an artificial waterfall, thick external walls and double-glazed windows.

Interior courtyards are very much in vogue today for the above reasons. They provide an aesthetic means of spending time with nature in the midst of a busy schedule. And the best part is that courtyards work with any style of home – modern or traditional.

So from growing an indoor garden to creating a serene corner in a crash and burn busy lifestyle, interior courtyards can do so much to enrich your life. Here are some more advantages you can enjoy with efficient courtyard design.

Light

An interior courtyard centrally sits under the open sky, flooding the space around it with daylight. Every room that opens into the courtyard gets its dose of sunlight during the day, helping you with energy savings. 

The benefits of being exposed to this optimum quantity of sunlight are well known, and even during a daily workday, you’ll benefit by simply having your morning tea in a natural refreshing environment. For courtyards that are located in the front or back of the house, the adjacent room can be the kitchen or living room, which is most often used during the day.

Centrally located courtyards in urban setups may be surrounded by high walls restricting the entry of light. In such cases, you can use exterior reflectors on your windows and doors.

Another interior courtyard

A courtyard can be enclosed as well, like the one here, which stretches along the wall that is common to the living room and dining area. Skylights overhead flood the room with natural light, replicating the experience of an authentic outdoor courtyard but with the comfort of airconditioning. The zen design theme enhances the ambience and spreads serenity throughout the area.

Ventilation

For centuries, interior courtyards have been created to aid the purpose of natural ventilation. Ventilation itself serves many purposes. It provides fresh air, improves oxygen supply and dilutes odours. When planning courtyard architecture, keep room for cross ventilation, which offers the maximum cooling effect. 

Courtyard ventilation also has passive cooling effects during the night, which brings the overall temperature of the place down. In addition to this, a courtyard filled with plants and a garden area helps keep the house cool even in scorching and arid climates.

Separate spaces

A courtyard acts as a space separator within the home. An indoor courtyard between the living room and bedrooms, can work to increase the privacy between these areas, not letting casual visitors walk in unwittingly. It provides a break in the décor too, with each section gaining a new personality that goes only with the central flow. 

A courtyard between the kitchen and living room is a perfect place for entertaining guests as well as unwinding after the day’s work.

Connecting spaces

A courtyard can also be a connector of spaces within the home, providing accessibility to different parts with ease. If you have a courtyard in the front or at the back of your house, it not only acts as an entrance or exit point, but can connect to more than one room depending on your courtyard architecture.

A centrally located courtyard, on the other hand, can provide access to multiple rooms in the house, making movement easier. Take a cue from this stylish courtyard rendered by Balance Property Ltd., interior architects in London.

Another charming central courtyard

This courtyard design incorporated an open area in the centre of an office, offering the perfect haven for relaxing in the middle of a busy day at work. The design ensures that the tree can be viewed from the different levels of the building. Moreover, it optimises the natural light in the building to create a cheerful and comfortable work environment.

Refreshing view of nature

With a courtyard, you have the option to enjoy the refreshing joy of being amidst greenery without having to look for it in far flung jungle reserves and nature resorts. Simply head to your courtyard to rejuvenate your eyes with the sight of green—it's beneficial for health. 

The great part of having a courtyard is that you can enjoy what different seasons bring in. From blossoming flowers under the summer sun to the hundred hues of green during the rains, to the select blossoms of winter, you can enjoy it all without stepping out from your home.

Contact with nature

If you love and enjoy your connection with nature, you can take it a step further in your courtyard. You can not only plant decorative plants, but also use a small area for vegetable and herb farming. Your own little patch of organic farming can find a wonderful place in your courtyard where sunlight and cool breezes will keep it company. When you start with courtyard planning for edibles, always go for ones with a quick turnaround time—between 60-90 days, like leafy greens—which can be harvested before the change of season. Also, choose to plant these in a pot than directly in the soil, so that you can move them around in case of an unexpected downpour.

There are different types of lawn grass that can be replicated in patches in your courtyard that can envelope your feet in morning dew. Choose the local soft variety that doesn’t attract insects, and is fairly resistant to climatic changes. Or if you don’t have the time to grow or maintain plants, then deck the place with pebbles, rocks, and pieces of wood for an organic feel.

Creating a cosy environment

A courtyard with beautiful and comfy seating area, flowing curtains, plush rugs and quirky coffee tables can be an ideal spot for quiet reflection, meditation, reading books, or enjoying a cosy chat. It can be a place to unwind, entertain, connect with nature and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

With some courtyard planning, you should be able to gift yourself a meaningful space! For more inspiration, check out these 8 amazing solutions to make your garden more private!

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