Living Large Outdoors
Outdoor living spaces are all the rage. And, it’s clear why. Creating an outdoor living area is a clever way to enhance both your indoor and outdoor garden space. Whether you have a large patio to play with, a tiny balcony or even just a courtyard garden, there is so much you can do to blend a little of the indoors, out!
Making whatever space you do have as stylish, comfortable and inviting as your living room doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. You just need to be selective, a little creative and in no time at all, you’ll have merged your indoor living room with your outdoor room perfectly. Connecting your space can amplify your lifestyle and you’ll wonder why you’d never thought about doing it before.
Before you start making any plans, take a good look at your garden – its position, orientation and outlook – where does the sun rise and where do the winds hit? This will determine how you best make use of your outside space.
Next think about what you want the space for. A place for entertaining or eating, or a place for relaxing? If you have the space, then you can divide the area up by creating different levels or sections. Do you want to be able to use the area in all weathers? Then you may need to look at shelter and heating; with pagodas or canopy’s and patio heaters, fire pits or a chiminea. If it’s an area for eating, then ensure the ground is flat and solid, as wobbly tables aren’t fun to eat from.
Invest in sturdy weather proof garden furniture. Rattan is considered the best long term garden furniture to leave outside. Wooden garden furniture should be good all year round – especially if it’s a hard wood such as oak, ash or beech and regularly treated. Most furniture also comes with suitable cushions to make the sitting experience more comfortable.
Plants in pots make great additions to outdoor living areas and take little looking after. Consider the amount of sunshine that the plant will receive each day. The containers for plants today, come in all sorts of sizes shapes and colours and can make great additions to an outdoor living area with out a plant in them.
And finally if you have the space why not create a mini bar? Some might say that an outdoor living area is not complete without one.
