This year is all about making our immediate surroundings feel comfortable and safe. In past blog posts I have been focusing on the inside, now it is about making your outdoor living be an extension and a regular part of your every day life. As we gear up for summer, it is time to give some TLC to our outdoor spaces!

Outdoor Kitchens

There has been a noticeable increase in people looking to upgrade their back gardens by adding an outdoor kitchen. Think of it more as a satellite kitchen, with a grill or a pizza oven as its main component. We have all been stuck at home for so long, dreaming of foreign exotic places, realising you can improve your surroundings. The summer is a wonderful time to take advantage of those warmer months and make the most out of your garden! In the UK, we all know occasional rain showers are never too spaced apart, for this reason, I suggest adding a structure to shelter from the elements.

Structure your Protection

Protection from the elements is particularly important in this part of the world. We are so used to grey skies; our skins are just not used to long sun exposures. Of course, as mentioned before, protection from the rain is also nice to have, so you can still enjoy some fresh air, no matter the weather. In London, most homes are close to one another, adding that much needed privacy with an overhead structure is a bonus. If you are using your laptop outside, it can help mitigate harsh glare. On an overhead structure you can add vines, that will eventually grow to cover the structure and create a beautiful green canopy. If you are not keen on having a vine, outdoor drapery panels add a bit of glam and are easy to store away. If you can spend a little more, screens are great options, and are able to be used all year round.  No matter the size or shape of your garden, patio or balcony, a simple umbrella with a tilt may be all that you need to spend more time outside.

Visual interest and backdrops

If your garden is surrounded by fences and overlooked by neighbours, adding a natural wall provides a beautiful view whilst enhancing your connection with nature. Feeling a little more daring? Adding some funky tiles work on to an outside wall or patio floor can create a fun atmosphere and a great talking point. No ready to commit to tiles, add outdoor rugs! They come in all colours, shapes, and sizes, you can change them up as the seasons come and go. Through rugs, you can inject some pattern to your outside floors for interest too.

Outdoor Technology

Wi-Fi has allowed us to treat our outside as our inside spaces, adding flexibility to where we work and play.  No matter where you are, with the right technology, using your apps and tech gadgets has never been so easy. On a hot summer evening, you can project movies on a screen for a back garden cinema, or simply bring a television outside for that all favourite TV series. Of course, let us not forget about the all-important audio, which can be used to set the mood, create a party, or immerse you into a film. Lastly, let there be coloured lights! LEDs have come a long way, with a click of an app you can light up your garden in multiple changing colours, and frequency, depending on what the occasion is.

Furniture for all seasons

Multipurpose furniture and ones that can be used for extended seasons are great investments. Metal and concrete furniture can last a lifetime.  If you are more into natural materials like me, teak is a favourite. Patio furniture with storage, that can double up as a relaxing ottoman to put your feet up and provide an additional place for hiding kid’s toys is always a plus.  Side tables that can be used as extra seating and lots of cushions that can be easily brought in and out are key for those impromptu gatherings.  If you like to feel warm and toasty during winter months, fire pits, heat lamps and throws are a must. For the warmer days, misting systems and fans are key.  The main idea is to turn the occasionally used outdoor spaces in your home into everyday living areas, no matter the time of year.

If you need help with getting your outdoor space decked out, get in touch here!