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5 Game Changers for Enjoying Your Garden All Year Round
Make the most of your outdoor space with garden updates to see you through the seasons
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Whether you’re looking forward to some al fresco dining with friends this summer, wanting to throw some parties or special events, or simply hoping to enjoy your garden more, it’s time to seize the opportunity your outdoor space offers whatever the size or season.
One of the most important considerations for your outdoor space is your furniture and having the best pieces to suit the way you’re going to use it. From small bistro sets and clever space-saving designs for compact gardens and patios, to larger ‘room-for-all’ corner sofas or statement pieces, find out how a new furniture addition can transform your garden into a space you and your guests will gravitate towards.
One of the most important considerations for your outdoor space is your furniture and having the best pieces to suit the way you’re going to use it. From small bistro sets and clever space-saving designs for compact gardens and patios, to larger ‘room-for-all’ corner sofas or statement pieces, find out how a new furniture addition can transform your garden into a space you and your guests will gravitate towards.
1. Plan Your Seating Layout
Having enough seating and table space for guests is an important factor if you like to entertain, so consider how you use your garden and what furniture you may need.
Perhaps you need a large dining table for family meals and barbecues, or a sofa area to relax with the family? Large gardens can probably accommodate both, but if your outdoor space is tight on room, you may be better off investing in foldaway chairs that you can bring out when required.
You’ll also want to take into account where you place your seating – after all, you don’t want to be walking to the far end of the garden with dishes, every time you want to eat outside.
Enjoy your garden all year round. To get as much use out of your garden as possible, it’s important to take the elements into account and make sure you have suitable shade when needed. Parasols are ideal for taking shelter under, whether it’s from the from the sun’s glare, or the wind and rain, so choose one that’s as sturdy as it is stylish.
Having enough seating and table space for guests is an important factor if you like to entertain, so consider how you use your garden and what furniture you may need.
Perhaps you need a large dining table for family meals and barbecues, or a sofa area to relax with the family? Large gardens can probably accommodate both, but if your outdoor space is tight on room, you may be better off investing in foldaway chairs that you can bring out when required.
You’ll also want to take into account where you place your seating – after all, you don’t want to be walking to the far end of the garden with dishes, every time you want to eat outside.
Enjoy your garden all year round. To get as much use out of your garden as possible, it’s important to take the elements into account and make sure you have suitable shade when needed. Parasols are ideal for taking shelter under, whether it’s from the from the sun’s glare, or the wind and rain, so choose one that’s as sturdy as it is stylish.
2. Add Fire & Ice
Create a party atmosphere that will wow guests, whether it’s a blazing hot day or a cooler evening. Place ice buckets around to keep drinks chilled during the day, along with inviting furniture that you won’t want to move from. Roomy corner sofa sets make a comfortable spot to sit and chat, and many come with a matching dining table and stools – handy when it comes to barbecues and nibbles!
It’s all in the details. Who said the party has to stop when the sun goes down? Invest in a warming fire pit and create the perfect after-hours ambience for guests to gather around as nighttime falls. All you need are some marshmallows to toast over the fire!
Create a party atmosphere that will wow guests, whether it’s a blazing hot day or a cooler evening. Place ice buckets around to keep drinks chilled during the day, along with inviting furniture that you won’t want to move from. Roomy corner sofa sets make a comfortable spot to sit and chat, and many come with a matching dining table and stools – handy when it comes to barbecues and nibbles!
It’s all in the details. Who said the party has to stop when the sun goes down? Invest in a warming fire pit and create the perfect after-hours ambience for guests to gather around as nighttime falls. All you need are some marshmallows to toast over the fire!
3. Use Multipurpose Furniture
We aren’t all lucky enough to have large, spacious gardens, but by using multipurpose furniture it’s easy to make the most of the space you do have. Corner pieces and modular sets work well to tuck into odd or L-shaped gardens. Plus, many dining sets now come with stools that are not only versatile, but can be slotted underneath the table to save on space when not in use.
Section off an open-plan space. Does your garden double up as a play area for the kids, with bikes and footballs galore? If so, try using modular furniture to help ‘zone’ a dedicated dining or living area to relax in. Not only will it help break up an open-plan garden into attractive segments, but it means you can enjoy that area and keep it a toy-free zone.
We aren’t all lucky enough to have large, spacious gardens, but by using multipurpose furniture it’s easy to make the most of the space you do have. Corner pieces and modular sets work well to tuck into odd or L-shaped gardens. Plus, many dining sets now come with stools that are not only versatile, but can be slotted underneath the table to save on space when not in use.
Section off an open-plan space. Does your garden double up as a play area for the kids, with bikes and footballs galore? If so, try using modular furniture to help ‘zone’ a dedicated dining or living area to relax in. Not only will it help break up an open-plan garden into attractive segments, but it means you can enjoy that area and keep it a toy-free zone.
4. Create an Inviting Focal Point
How many times have you hosted a garden gathering just to find everyone congregating in the kitchen? Well, extend your indoor entertaining space outside and you’ll help encourage guests out there too.
Create an al fresco lounge spot where people can relax, or an outdoor bar area where they can get drink refills and there’ll be no reason for them to want to be inside.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a shed or place to store larger pieces of furniture either. Most items are hardy enough to be left outside during the summer months, and when it comes to the winter, simply pop on their cover to keep them protected all year round.
Make a style statement. Adding quirky pieces to your garden, like a hanging chair, will help create a focal point and add a little luxury. Take the hassle out of hanging it by choosing one with a base – then simply pop a side table next to it to keep your book and a cuppa to hand!
How many times have you hosted a garden gathering just to find everyone congregating in the kitchen? Well, extend your indoor entertaining space outside and you’ll help encourage guests out there too.
Create an al fresco lounge spot where people can relax, or an outdoor bar area where they can get drink refills and there’ll be no reason for them to want to be inside.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a shed or place to store larger pieces of furniture either. Most items are hardy enough to be left outside during the summer months, and when it comes to the winter, simply pop on their cover to keep them protected all year round.
Make a style statement. Adding quirky pieces to your garden, like a hanging chair, will help create a focal point and add a little luxury. Take the hassle out of hanging it by choosing one with a base – then simply pop a side table next to it to keep your book and a cuppa to hand!
5. Set the Scene
Enjoying your garden shouldn’t just be reserved for those hours of warm sunshine, so cater for the chillier moments, too. Add a few blankets for guests to snuggle up in on a sofa (pop some in a basket that you can easily carry inside when the weather’s poor), along with some lanterns to create a flickering light, and you’ve got evening entertaining all wrapped up!
Style up your outdoor area. Accessories are just as important when it comes to setting the scene. Use an outdoor rug, some floor cushions and a few pots or lanterns to create an attractive outdoor ‘room scheme’, just as you would indoors.
More: For more decorating tips and furniture ideas, visit Barker and Stonehouse.
Your turn: How are you planning to make the most of your garden this year?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Enjoying your garden shouldn’t just be reserved for those hours of warm sunshine, so cater for the chillier moments, too. Add a few blankets for guests to snuggle up in on a sofa (pop some in a basket that you can easily carry inside when the weather’s poor), along with some lanterns to create a flickering light, and you’ve got evening entertaining all wrapped up!
Style up your outdoor area. Accessories are just as important when it comes to setting the scene. Use an outdoor rug, some floor cushions and a few pots or lanterns to create an attractive outdoor ‘room scheme’, just as you would indoors.
More: For more decorating tips and furniture ideas, visit Barker and Stonehouse.
Your turn: How are you planning to make the most of your garden this year?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
We're the UK’s largest independent, family-run furniture retailer, with ten stores across the north of England,... Read More
We're the UK’s largest independent, family-run furniture retailer, with ten stores across the north of England,... Read More
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I like the ideas and photos in this article. Patio areas encourage people to spend more time outside - surely a good thing.If you are having a party at home and want to use your garden, you need a firm base for your seating and table(s) particularly if you have older guests or anyone in heels.There are lots of flowers and grass in the photos and you could always incorporate pots of plants or as we have, a living wall to keep the greenery. Our garden is on a steep slope so hard landscaping to create levels is a must and is safer for children.
We have maximised our outdoor space to allow us to spend and enjoy all year usage.
plants for the wildlife with flowers and shrubs for them to enjoy all year.
Bug hotels and homes made specially for the solitary bee.
That is good news..every bit of garden now should be mazimised for the wildlife especially in London otherwise we won't have a planet to even sit out in a garden
Forget outdoor parties, we are in a crisis situation and no one seems at all worried? Strange