Your garden is the extra room you often forget about. Here are a few ways to give your garden/outdoor space the attention it needs!
The first thing to do, is decide on what external décor will work best depending on the space you have. Living in the city centre often means compromising on your outdoor space. However, if you are lucky enough to live in apartment with a balcony or terrace, it’s important to make the most of it. Why not opt for a hanging balcony bar table which allows you to use up vertical space rather than eating into the floor space or a wall mounted parasol for those hot summer days when you need a little shade. Foldable/stackable garden furniture is a great way to utilise space but also gives you more flexibility as they can be folded and put away easily if you need to use the space for something else.
Modular garden furniture is perfect for the smaller terrace gardens as it allows you to use every inch of the space efficiently. L shaped corner sofas offer plenty of seating, whilst side tables, coffee tables and ottomans give you that added surface and storage space. Why not add an outdoor mirror, just as we use mirrors inside the house to give the illusion of making a room feel bigger and brighter the same can be done for the outdoors. Just be careful to ensure it is placed where the sun isn’t shining directly into your eyes.
Durability and the good old British Weather is the next consideration! Synthetic rattan furniture is increasingly popular – it is lightweight, yet hard wearing. It works beautifully in contemporary and traditional gardens; it is comfortable and easy to care for most of all. Rattan is a light material, much lighter than teak and other wooden furniture, and it doesn’t stain, rust or corrode like metal furniture. Rattan furniture comes in a wide range of price options, colours and weaves, and most pieces come complete with plush cushions for comfort and style. Synthetic rattan is designed to look like real rattan, and is often used for outdoor furniture and décor. It’s made from polyethylene and can withstand moisture and intense sunlight, both of which could harm true rattan. It is also eco-friendlier than other synthetic materials.
Metal garden furniture is another popular option for your space. Reminiscent of romantic French bistros, metal furniture is going to bring a touch of class to your garden. Metal is incredibly strong and is much better for a long-term option than plastic. One of the main reasons people choose cast aluminium garden furniture is because it doesn’t rust. However, regardless of what furniture you have, it needs to be stored somewhere dry in order to keep it clean and ready to use again. If you don’t have a garage or shed to store the furniture in, it is worth investing in covers as they will provide protection for the furniture and will help it to keep clean and useable.
Outdoor furniture can sometimes be costly, why not DIY your own? Pallets are great for repurposing and require hardly any work or tools; they can be made into sofas, tables or even an outdoor bar – perfect for entertaining guests!
Add some soft furnishings to your space with outdoor rugs, cushions and blankets this will give added cosiness and bring extra colour and personality to your outdoors.
Every room needs a focal point, so why not create a focal point in the garden. Whether it be a water feature to add a little zen to the garden or a firepit which can help you make the most of the evenings as the nights draw in.
Modern innovations in LED lighting mean there are all sorts of options available for the garden. Again, use a little imagination. Concealed lighting at floor level works particularly well along footpaths, and you can create a magical effect by having lights carefully positioned in trees and shrubs.
Add a pop of colour with hanging baskets to brighten up gloomy corners; just be careful not to hang them directly over any chairs as not only might your bang your head on them but also the water dripping through can leave you with a soggy seat. Use planting ladders, not only is this a space saving solution to hold all your herbs and plants but you can also create a charming display to fit your own taste. To maintain a sense of privacy and much needed greenery, why not add a pergola or arch to your garden? It will keep the garden looking green and help make it feel more welcoming. When you are considering what to grow, think about small evergreen shrubs to provide year-round structure as well as the more obvious annuals. Limit your colour palette for a sophisticated effect. Artificial foliage is a great alternative if you’re not a fan of gardening.
