Ways to make your outdoor space work for you

It’s often much easier to furnish and decorate inside our homes than it is to create a ‘room’ outside. We often have a good idea of what look we are going for inside, such as the colour of the room and the style of the furniture. Most of what we buy is designed to cater to our needs.

But what about you garden or outdoor space? It’s easy to neglect it but if you spend a little time deciding what might work best in your outdoor area, then you can really reap the benefits and get to enjoy it year round – weather permitting.

Create a lounging space

Very much like indoors, you need a place where you can kick back, put your feet up and relax. If you have a small garden then you might want to set up a couple of bistro chairs and a table, that will give you a place to retreat to and enjoy the fresh air.

If you have a larger space then you can have an outdoor seating set for the whole family to sit around. If you have weatherproof furniture that can stay outdoors all throughout the year, then you can always whip out the cushions on sunnier days in the winter and if need bed grab a throw to keep you warm.

For the ultimate way to lounge then look no further than a hammock or hanging chair. You can pretend that you’re sunbathing in some exotic location, when really you’re just hanging out in your garden.

Add some areas of interest

A paved area and lawn can be a little boring to look at and when you’re not using the garden during the winter months, you’ll still want to look our into your garden and enjoy the view.  Try adding a pergola, where you can create a place that can be a great retreat and cosy during the evenings. Add some fairy lights or lanterns to really create a wonderful ambience to your garden.

Have somewhere designated to eat

If you have space to place a table, then that will make your garden much more functional. It’s always nice to take advantage of warmer weather and to dine al fresco and have a change from sitting at your dining table. It also makes it ideal for when you’re preparing food outside for a barbecue and even for sitting outside to enjoy your breakfast when the weather is fine.

Utilise what you have

Space might be limited in your garden, so make sure that you’re only filling it with what you need to keep it functional. If your garden lacks light, then you can help reflect some light by using mirrors. Giving your outdoor space a little dimension will make the space feel whole and it will really help to open up the area and give the illusion of more space.

Nb. Collaborative post.