SA’s backyard makeovers fuelling surge in local outdoor kitchen demand
A leading SA outdoor living business is ramping up manufacturing to meet a projected 43 per cent surge in demand next year, its founder tells InDaily how local backyards have dramatically changed in the past 10 years.
It’s been 20 years since Colin Kuchel started Australian Outdoor Living on Henley Beach Road. InDaily spoke to the founder about scaling the brand to five states and the changing Australian backyard.
You took a big risk starting the company. Take me back to how you felt in those early days 20 years ago?
Twenty years ago, I made the move of leaving a company I’d been with for almost 18 years to chase an idea. It was risky, but I’d spotted a clear gap in Adelaide for high-quality outdoor living solutions, and the opportunity felt too significant to ignore.
Starting from scratch wasn’t easy. Cash flow was tight, supplier reliability was inconsistent, and every decision carried weight. But with five kids (at that time) to support, failure wasn’t an option.
I’ll never forget the first customer calling within an hour of opening. That early response was more than a confidence boost – it confirmed that homeowners were ready for a different kind of outdoor offering.
Did you always want to build a national brand?
Honestly? No. In those early days, I couldn’t have imagined we’d grow to what we are now. Adelaide became the proving ground for a model that gained traction quickly, and demand naturally pulled us into new states. That momentum is what ultimately enabled our national expansion.
Today, we stand proudly as a national brand operating across multiple states, backed by a team of nearly 200 and dozens of tradespeople.
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We did consider branching overseas, but with so much untapped potential here in Australia, we chose to double down on local growth. The domestic appetite for outdoor living continues to strengthen – outdoor kitchens alone have grown by 27 per cent in the past year – reinforcing that our biggest opportunity remains here at home.
How has demand for Australian Outdoor Living’s products grown over the years?
When we started in 2005, residential outdoor blinds and complete backyard living solutions were virtually unknown. Back then, a backyard usually meant a clothesline, a shed and a BBQ – nothing like the multi-functional outdoor spaces people desire today. We recognised early that as homes evolved, outdoor areas would become just as important as indoor ones.
Over the years, we’ve grown from providing just outdoor blinds to offering a full suite of backyard living solutions: pergolas, verandahs, decking, artificial lawns, roller shutters and outdoor kitchens. Bringing manufacturing in-house through Universal Blind Assembly has ensured consistent quality and strengthened our ability to scale.
We’ve now increased our manufacturing capacity to meet a projected 43 per cent surge in demand next year, positioning us to deliver premium outdoor solutions to even more Australian homes.
What we’re hearing is that people are finding current house prices too expensive. Many are being priced out of the market, and so instead of buying new properties, homeowners are investing in their existing homes. With outdoor products like pergolas, decking, outdoor blinds, and outdoor kitchens, they’re extending their living spaces and making their outdoor areas more liveable.
How have recent economic shocks impacted your business?
Recent economic shocks – from the pandemic to the current high-interest-rate environment – have influenced our business in different ways. During COVID, we saw a surge in home-improvement activity as people spent more time at home and redirected discretionary spending into upgrades. That momentum continued into the post-pandemic period, even as global supply-chain disruptions created challenges.
More recently, rising interest rates and cost-of-living pressures have softened some large-scale renovation activity. However, we continue to see strong demand for upgrades that deliver long-term value and improve everyday liveability.
Our ability to manufacture locally, maintain secure supply channels and innovate across our product range has helped us stay resilient. Pairing this with a focus on reliable customer service means we can respond quickly to changing market conditions and support customers even in periods of uncertainty.
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What consumer trends have you noticed over the past 20 years? How have backyards changed in Australia?
Backyards in Australia have transformed dramatically over the past two decades. In 2005, most outdoor spaces were simple – a Hills Hoist, a shed, a BBQ and not much more.
Today, the backyard has become a true extension of the home. Several lifestyle shifts have driven this change: more time spent at home, a rising focus on wellbeing and connection, smaller block sizes, and the influence of social media and home-renovation culture. Expectations around aesthetic design, comfort and everyday usability are higher than ever.
Sustainability has also become a major influence. Homeowners are prioritising drought-resistant landscaping, energy-efficient shading, durable materials and low-maintenance solutions that reduce long-term resource use.
One of the fastest-growing categories reflecting this shift is composite decking. Its low maintenance, long lifespan and sustainability credentials have made it a popular alternative to traditional timber, especially as households seek outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and practical year-round.
What do you hope to achieve over the next 20 years?
Over the next 20 years, we aim to further integrate smart technology into outdoor living solutions, continue investing in local manufacturing, and enhance our capabilities and customer service. We’re exploring innovations ranging from advanced artificial lawns to outdoor blinds that integrate seamlessly with smart-home systems.
In the past year alone, we’ve seen a surge in demand for outdoor solutions that incorporate smart tech. Our partnerships have enabled new tools like real-time plan delivery and virtual walk-throughs – technologies that are still emerging in the Australian market.
Through ongoing innovation and collaboration, we want to keep shaping the way Australian backyards evolve, and maintain our leadership position in defining the national outdoor living lifestyle.
Is there international demand for Australian Outdoor Living?
There is certainly international interest in the Australian style of year-round outdoor living, and our offering translates well globally. However, our priority remains Australia. Local manufacturing has nearly doubled in scale over the past year, and that growth has reinforced where our biggest opportunity lies.
By continuing to design, engineer and manufacture locally, we’re able to support Australian jobs, maintain high production standards and invest in innovations that directly benefit Australian households. For now, strengthening that foundation remains our greatest opportunity and responsibility.
What’s your biggest regret in business?
There have been plenty of lessons learned, especially in the early days when we were a small Adelaide business finding our footing. As we’ve grown into a national company, those lessons have only become more valuable. Every challenge – from supplier issues to the complexities of scaling interstate – has forced us to strengthen our operations, invest in better materials and build a more resilient organisation.
I wouldn’t say I have any major regrets. The tougher periods have been some of our most important teachers, shaping both the business and me personally as a leader. Those experiences have been invaluable and have made us stronger.
