Outdoor Living: 8 Tricks to Turn Your Garden into an Inviting Room
Long for another living area? Keen to create a dining space? Well, take it outside and transform your garden into a brilliant extra room
Let’s face it, we could all do with more space. Extensions are one solution, but they’re a big, often pricey project. For a far easier and fabulously effective option, take a look outside. Even a patio has the potential to become a relaxation zone or fun dining space. And if the UK evenings can be a bit chilly, well, that’s what throws and fire pits are for. Check out these inviting examples and start planning now.
Ramp up the comfort
Knitted throws and piles of pale cushions create a cosy corner. A wooden gazebo makes this space useful even in gentle rain, while floaty curtains diffuse the light for a dreamy mood.
Knitted throws and piles of pale cushions create a cosy corner. A wooden gazebo makes this space useful even in gentle rain, while floaty curtains diffuse the light for a dreamy mood.
Create a multipurpose space
A mix of seating adds up to a flexible outside space that can be transformed from dining to lounging area in an instant. A year-round, built-in bench means the space is perfect for an impromptu coffee on a sunny winter’s morning.
A mix of seating adds up to a flexible outside space that can be transformed from dining to lounging area in an instant. A year-round, built-in bench means the space is perfect for an impromptu coffee on a sunny winter’s morning.
Invest in a garden room
The ultimate example of blurring the lines between indoors and out, this modern studio has bifold doors and a good-sized deck to help you make the most of the fresh air. Even unseasonal hail couldn’t keep fresh air fans out of here!
Tour a shed-turned-office in London or see all of the different garden room and outdoor building designs you could go for.
The ultimate example of blurring the lines between indoors and out, this modern studio has bifold doors and a good-sized deck to help you make the most of the fresh air. Even unseasonal hail couldn’t keep fresh air fans out of here!
Tour a shed-turned-office in London or see all of the different garden room and outdoor building designs you could go for.
Build in sociable seating
Modular seating and corner sofas are an easy way to seat a crowd, which makes them perfect for garden gatherings. Use one designed for purpose – wet upholstery is never a good look.
See 10 ways to do decking
Modular seating and corner sofas are an easy way to seat a crowd, which makes them perfect for garden gatherings. Use one designed for purpose – wet upholstery is never a good look.
See 10 ways to do decking
Dress your table
Why restrict cut flowers to indoors? A big bunch of blooms will add a sense of occasion to the simplest scrubbed table – display them in a tall enamel jug for instant rustic charm.
Why restrict cut flowers to indoors? A big bunch of blooms will add a sense of occasion to the simplest scrubbed table – display them in a tall enamel jug for instant rustic charm.
Add some texture
A feature wall like this concrete creation with a woven texture adds visual interest, as well as making the seating area feel less exposed. Highlighting the texture with uplighters and raising the floor gives the space a distinct, intimate feel.
A feature wall like this concrete creation with a woven texture adds visual interest, as well as making the seating area feel less exposed. Highlighting the texture with uplighters and raising the floor gives the space a distinct, intimate feel.
Turn up the heat
If you want to stay warm outside in the evening, a fire pit is a great choice. This semi-circular bench allows everyone to benefit from the warmth and enjoy the atmosphere of the flickering flames.
There are many ways to work in a fire feature, see more here.
If you want to stay warm outside in the evening, a fire pit is a great choice. This semi-circular bench allows everyone to benefit from the warmth and enjoy the atmosphere of the flickering flames.
There are many ways to work in a fire feature, see more here.
This wooden canopy provides respite from the midday sun and sudden showers alike. Keeping half the area open means friends and family can enjoy the sun and sky, too.