Outdoor Living Space

In recent years, garden renovations have grown in popularity. Many of us have transformed our spaces into outdoor rooms and those of us that haven’t may be thinking of doing so now, with Spring fast approaching. 

Any change, big or small, can be transformative and all it takes is a little planning and design know-how. Whether you’re looking to extend your living area or update your existing furniture space, revamping the outdoors will create and inviting space that you’ll never want to leave. 

When designing your outdoor space, start big and think about different zones and larger items of furniture, just like you would with the interior of your home. With the right planning, you can create a stylish and welcoming garden that can be used all year round, not just in the warmer months. 

Colour Scheme 

Remember that your garden is an extension of your home so you will want it looking as stylish as possible for both yourself and your guests. 

Take a look at the existing exterior colours in your garden – the earth tones of shrubbery, rocks, soil, and the bold colours of any flowers you may have. 

Exterior paints can be great to use as they will refresh your outdoors and are inexpensive to use. Painting your walls white will reflect the light and create a bright outdoor space. Painting fencing or gates black will make them recede and make your garden feel bigger. Wood stains are also a wonderful way to protect your wood and make it appear new and glossy. Painting will make a huge difference but will require future maintenance. 

Outdoor lighting 

If you’re investing in your outdoors, you’ll need plenty of lighting to make sure you can use it in the evenings. 

Solar lights are ideal for the outdoors as the sun will charge them throughout the day and they will shine bright at night. Festoon and other fairy lights are a wonderful idea to hang around your garden furniture and plants. 

Lighting up any trees in your garden creates a dramatic effect as the bulbs will shine through the tall plants and provide ambiance outdoors. Path markers are also an ideal way to safely light up your pathway and will complete the setting. 

If you have any water features, add lights to them or invest in an outdoor fireplace. These features will set the mood while providing practicality (read more below). 

Garden Furniture 

Bring the indoors outside with garden furniture sets and accessories. The perfect additions will give you the best of both worlds – comfort and warmth as well as the fresh, open air. 

Invest in some garden sofas and armchairs and tie the area together with rugs and cushions. Outdoor textiles come in a range of patterns and styles and are durable for any type of weather. 

Consider choosing lightweight pieces for the outdoors so that you can move them around the garden if you’re chasing the sun or the shade. This is also helpful if you want to put furniture away during the Winter although for optimum use, design your garden so that you can use it all year round. Other furnishings, such as benches or stools, can function as extra seating or a table. 

Shade 

You may or may not need extra shading in your garden, depending on where the sun hits your outdoor area and what plants you have that already provide shade. If you’re space is already pretty shady, there likely isn’t a need to invest in any type of structure. 

If your garden is very open, incorporating an umbrella or pergolas could help you to get the most out of your space. Having the option of sitting in the shade during the hottest parts of the day means you can use your outdoor area as much as possible. 

A freestanding umbrella could be used by the sofa or lounge chairs and can be used as you walk around the garden. A table-inset umbrella will provide comfort to you and your guests as you dine outside. A pergola that has adjustable walls and ceilings is ideal for when you want some extra shade or some extra sun. 

Outdoor Dining 

You may as well make use of your fabulous garden by dining outdoors. Find the perfect spot to place you table and chairs and anything else you may want for your garden. If you prefer eating your breakfast outside, you may want to set up where the sun shines in the morning, or else you may want to dine under the evening sun. If possible, choose the least windy spot so that napkins don’t go flying! 

If you’re going all out, you might want to include a barbeque or a whole kitchen area. This will require planning and electronic outlets but will mean you don’t need to keep going in and out and the cook can mingle with everyone else. 

Choose a spot in the garden that’s away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the space. Al fresco dining is much less formal and a spot at the end of the garden means you go on an experience through the garden to get there. 

Bar Area 

Due to the uncertainty around bars and restaurants, a bar area is a superb investment for many! A garden bar makes for great entertainment without having to leave home. 

Whether you want a cocktail bar, wine bar, or your favourite pints on draught, you should purchase key fitting such as a fridge and a sink and then build your bar around that. The structure of the bar doesn’t have to be too dynamic – you can DIY it with natural stone or cement blocks and wood cladding or boards. You’ll even get the opportunity to give it a unique touch by naming it or creating a signature menu. 

Spend your evenings in the garden, kicking back with a cold drink and you won’t need to worry about getting home at the end of the night! 

Fire Feature 

Having a fire feature is a vital for many as it is both aesthetically pleasing and practical for the outdoors. Whether you build a permanent fireplace or something smaller, a fire pit creates a cosy spot to gather around. 

Have a warm spot to sit around makes your garden more useable during chilly evenings and throughout the colder months. You can also use it to toast marshmallows or as a BBQ. This crackle and light from the fire will create a wonderful atmosphere that everyone will want to spend the night around. 

Invest in a permanent fireplace or purchase something smaller like a chiminea, place some chairs, benches, cushions, and blankets around it and enjoy the outdoors at night. 

Water Feature 

The sound of running water can be very relaxing so a water feature would create a peaceful atmosphere in your garden. They add a gorgeous visual element to your space as well as versatility and depth with the flow of water. 

A water feature doesn’t have to be large and expensive; you can find small ones in most garden centres that will fit right in with your outdoor area. They are often easy to set up and you’re not likely to need a water supply – most of them will reuse the water and won’t need to be topped up often, especially if it rains a lot! 

When finding a place for your new water feature, think about what’s above it. If it’s under a tree, leaves will likely fall into it and ruin the aesthetic of it. You want your water feature to be as low maintenance as possible as you will have the rest of your garden to maintain.