7 Ideas for Creating a Garden That’s Perfect for Socialising In
Be inspired by these tips for making friends and family feel comfortable and welcome in your outdoor space
Kate Burt
12 July 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
From an outdoor fireplace to multiple seating areas (even in a petite plot), these outdoor spaces are all wonderfully inviting and, between them, could host intimate, multi-generational or larger gatherings. Read on to see the clever ideas Houzz designers have dreamed up to get these gardens guest-ready.
Fashion an outdoor living room
For the ultimate in garden lounging, an alfresco sitting room is hard to beat.
In this enticing example, the designer, Pineapple Property, has given the space two key features that make it somewhere you could use all year round. First is the wood-burning stove – with the wood storage either side doubling up as a dash of natural décor. Second is the roof, which would protect from strong sunlight and heavy rain alike.
Other details to note that make this outdoor room welcoming for guests and enjoyable to use are the ‘indoor’ ideas – glamorous lighting, a rug, the dark paint, and vases of flowers.
For the ultimate in garden lounging, an alfresco sitting room is hard to beat.
In this enticing example, the designer, Pineapple Property, has given the space two key features that make it somewhere you could use all year round. First is the wood-burning stove – with the wood storage either side doubling up as a dash of natural décor. Second is the roof, which would protect from strong sunlight and heavy rain alike.
Other details to note that make this outdoor room welcoming for guests and enjoyable to use are the ‘indoor’ ideas – glamorous lighting, a rug, the dark paint, and vases of flowers.
Slot in multiple seating zones – even in a small space
Guests naturally form clusters and Aralia: Innovation in Landscape Design has anticipated this. The team has created bench seating at one end of this fairly compact courtyard, and a dining table at the other.
Find a landscape architect or garden designer in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Guests naturally form clusters and Aralia: Innovation in Landscape Design has anticipated this. The team has created bench seating at one end of this fairly compact courtyard, and a dining table at the other.
Find a landscape architect or garden designer in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Pippa Schofield Garden Design has packed an impressive array of seating areas into this little space. What’s particularly nice with the two bench areas is that each is tucked away, making it a good arrangement for families with older children who want to hang out in the garden, but like to have their own space and a sense of privacy, too.
Clever use of climbing foliage and tall plants has accentuated the garden’s natural nooks and provides a sense of seclusion.
Clever use of climbing foliage and tall plants has accentuated the garden’s natural nooks and provides a sense of seclusion.
Picture a classic garden barbecue: does the image of people standing up and trying to eat one-handed, or not having anywhere to plonk a drink while they pick up a fork, come to mind? If so, let this space inspire you.
With the solid blocks on the decking, the raised deck itself, a low table, an armchair, a comfy ‘sofa’, and the versatile circular feature in the centre, this cleverly designed garden, created by Jarret Yoshida Design, provides lots of places for people to perch and spaces to rest a drink.
With the solid blocks on the decking, the raised deck itself, a low table, an armchair, a comfy ‘sofa’, and the versatile circular feature in the centre, this cleverly designed garden, created by Jarret Yoshida Design, provides lots of places for people to perch and spaces to rest a drink.
Create an alfresco kitchen
To avoid the inevitable dashes in and out of the kitchen – and interrupted conversations – while barbecuing, a fully functioning outdoor cooking area could be worth looking at if you entertain a lot.
Not all designs need as much space as this dreamy version by Humphrey Munson, but there are some features here that could be scaled down in size. These include hardwood and weather-resistant cabinetry, a roof, and thoughtful zoning to make cooking as easy as it would be in a well-designed indoor kitchen.
There are also pull-out bins, a multi-functional grill, a floor that will withstand spills, and careful orientation to take into account the position of the sun at various points during the day.
To avoid the inevitable dashes in and out of the kitchen – and interrupted conversations – while barbecuing, a fully functioning outdoor cooking area could be worth looking at if you entertain a lot.
Not all designs need as much space as this dreamy version by Humphrey Munson, but there are some features here that could be scaled down in size. These include hardwood and weather-resistant cabinetry, a roof, and thoughtful zoning to make cooking as easy as it would be in a well-designed indoor kitchen.
There are also pull-out bins, a multi-functional grill, a floor that will withstand spills, and careful orientation to take into account the position of the sun at various points during the day.
Consider a fireplace
Just as in a living room, it’s nice to have a focal point in a social space, and indoors this is so often a fireplace. Putting one outside, as GreenBird Gardening has done here, has the additional benefit of turning a summer-only space into one you can use in chillier months, too.
Just as in a living room, it’s nice to have a focal point in a social space, and indoors this is so often a fireplace. Putting one outside, as GreenBird Gardening has done here, has the additional benefit of turning a summer-only space into one you can use in chillier months, too.
Cosy it up
Susie Watson Designs takes this idea in a slightly different direction by incorporating a firepit. This may be a more practical option for many gardens than a fixed fireplace.
She’s also loaded up the space with inviting candles and rugs to give a cosy feel that would make you want to sit outside even on cooler nights.
Susie Watson Designs takes this idea in a slightly different direction by incorporating a firepit. This may be a more practical option for many gardens than a fixed fireplace.
She’s also loaded up the space with inviting candles and rugs to give a cosy feel that would make you want to sit outside even on cooler nights.
Layer lighting
Karen Rogers at KR Garden Design has also paid special attention to the garden after dark and designed in multi-purpose lighting. The uplighters in the bed, beautifully illuminating the foliage, create wonderful mood lighting.
The wall light is a more functional addition for dining, while large candles and a lantern enhance both table visibility and atmosphere.
Karen Rogers at KR Garden Design has also paid special attention to the garden after dark and designed in multi-purpose lighting. The uplighters in the bed, beautifully illuminating the foliage, create wonderful mood lighting.
The wall light is a more functional addition for dining, while large candles and a lantern enhance both table visibility and atmosphere.
Dine under cover
Cooking for guests takes advance organisation and a bad weather forecast risks messing with well-laid plans (and tables). If you throw a lot of dinner parties and would like to be able to eat outside, a sheltered dining area is key.
This simple pergola has a corrugated plastic roof, which is a reasonably affordable option, but of course sustainable and more permanent solutions are available, too.
If this appeals, ask your designer to look at whether you have the space for something similar, or if you’d be better covering a patio area next to the house.
Tell us…
What are your suggestions for making a garden a more sociable space? Which if these ideas would you use? Let us know in the Comments.
Cooking for guests takes advance organisation and a bad weather forecast risks messing with well-laid plans (and tables). If you throw a lot of dinner parties and would like to be able to eat outside, a sheltered dining area is key.
This simple pergola has a corrugated plastic roof, which is a reasonably affordable option, but of course sustainable and more permanent solutions are available, too.
If this appeals, ask your designer to look at whether you have the space for something similar, or if you’d be better covering a patio area next to the house.
Tell us…
What are your suggestions for making a garden a more sociable space? Which if these ideas would you use? Let us know in the Comments.
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I also find it a pain bringing in all the cushions every night . we have a bench made from decking boards which stays out all winter (just needs a good brush down now and again) so I can sit on it in the winter with a coffee on mild days ..but all other seating goes in the shed for winter all else it all covered with tarp all winter and looks ugly.
Great ideas!
Glad I read this as i was considering a £600 cushioned couch but also had doubts about leaving cushions out. We are in Scotland so they would be indoors alot! Love the idea of rugs as well but again not practical on decking. Im guessing bugs would also hide under there and rug would also need brought in!! Mission