Extending Your Living Area Outdoors
Ad. Spring is a bit hit and miss these days. Some years we have had some really lovely weather and so far this February the weather seems to have been milder than last. I’m hoping we skip the winter freeze jump directly into Spring with its warmer and dryer weather so we can enjoy our outdoor spaces more. If you have a garden then now is the time to start making preparations to ensure it is ready to be enjoyed to the max. Our gardens are an extension to our home and we all want to make the most of the usable space. Extending your living area outdoors no matter how small gives the feel of a larger area.
Photo credit: sky-linedesign.co.uk with permission – Brafta corner seating. Chair and table options.
How to Use Your Garden to its Full Potential
We could all do with a little more living space. If we use our outdoor space efficiently we can create the look and feel of a larger more luxurious space. It’s such a wonderful way to create an area where you can sit and relax after a long day at work as well as entertain guests. It’s amazing the health benefits being outdoors can provide.
Starting from Within
The type of doors that lead to the outdoor space can be important. Doors that open outwards or bi-folding doors make the transition smooth and pleasing to the eye. The larger the doors and therefore the opening to the outdoor area the better it will look and extends the length of the room visually.
Consistency
Take into consideration the style of your home and the existing colour scheme when choosing which materials and colours you want to use. To make the outdoor space look like a true extension of the home use similar styled furniture and colouring outside to that used within. So using the below as an example, you’d opt for outdoor furniture in a cream colour with a similar thicker arm.
Layout
The size of the outdoor space and level is important. The larger the garden the more options available yet having a smaller garden doesn’t mean you can’t create an outdoor space that looks fabulous and, one that you won’t want to leave. The level of the ground will influence what you can do. A hill or slope can affect the design. Flat surfaces are of course far easier to work with although small slopes can be levelled out.
Furniture
As mentioned, using similar colours and even materials for outdoor furniture can work exceptionally well. The style of furniture used is important and help you design a beautiful relaxing space you will enjoy escaping to. With the colouring of our living room, we would opt to use creams and light beige hints when choosing furniture. Your furniture choice is important so make sure you put a lot of thought into what would work best. Light colours create the illusion of space, the opposite can be said for dark colours.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture
Colour
Vibrant colours can be added through the addition of plants and cushions. For a more sophisticated, luxurious and relaxed feel it helps to go for neutral colours when selecting furniture. You are bound to find colours that can fit into this scheme from those used within the home.
Opt for Quality
Ideally, a product that is of good quality and long-lasting such as those on the sky-linedesign.co.uk website will work well. You don’t want to have to keep replacing items. It pays to do it right the first time around.
Size Matters
The space available will dictate what sort of size you will need to look for. Don’t be tempted to cram large pieces into a small space. It is equally important to make the most of a spacious area with a fair-sized item(s).
Dining or Relaxation
Next, are you looking for dining furniture or something more causal or both?
Photo credit: sky-linedesign.co.uk with permission – Metz Dining table and chairs
The Metz Dining table and chairs are ideal to bring sophisticated yet comfortable dining to any garden. The table is available in various widths and depths to fit well with varying garden sizes. The tempered glass provided an easy clean surface on-trend surface. There is always the option to cover this when dining depending on requirements.
Photo credit: sky-linedesign.co.uk with permission – Horizon sofa and chairs with different table options.
The Horizon Sofa Living armchairs and sofas have an air of luxury about them. Ideal for relaxing after a long day of work and equally as charming as seating for an afternoon tea or drinks and nibbles with friends. There are different table options to choose from depending on taste and requirements.
Consider a Covered Outdoor Space
As the weather is quite temperamental in the UK, having a covered outdoor area can work considerably well. Pergolas can be a great idea especially if you go one step further and trail scented plants up the posts. These can include wisteria, jasmine and even some roses. The effect in the summer months can be quite stunning.
Parasols
These can be a great alternative to a covered space outdoors as the parasol can be used as and when required and it means that the amount of natural daylight coming into the home is not permanently limited. There are various types available to suit different styles and budgets.
Photo credit: sky-linedesign.co.uk with permission – Nicosia cantilever 300cm parasol
Flooring
The colour of the floor outside can often be matched to that inside. This can help expand the appearance of the room as the eyes are drawn that much further. If tiling outside, ensure tiles are suitable for use outdoors and that the grouting is colour matched.
Plants
The addition of plants can really lift the look and feel of any indoor and outdoor space. Linking the adjoining room to the outdoor space connects the spaces and creates the look and feel of a larger area. Plants placed within the room where the room meets the outdoors especially when tall can help hide walls and doors.
Incorporating a large number of tall leafy plants and combining them with flowering plants can create a stunning oasis. Designing the outdoor space to appear as open as possible will relax the mind. Spending time outside and in open green areas has been scientifically proven to have numerous health benefits.
Lighting
Who doesn’t like a little mood lighting? Garden lights can work well all year round. The weather naturally dictates our use of outdoor space but with the UK experiencing mild weather that can span Spring, Summer and Autumn we can find we are able to get outside and relax or entertain earlier and later in the year. Naturally, we need sufficient lighting for this. Well placed lights combined with candles can create a lovely inviting feel. A few fairy lights can add a welcome change as and when you’d like it. Make use of citronella candles in the summer to keep insects at bay.
Heating
Heaters, fire pits etc can be a great addition visually and of course, they also have a practical purpose. They’re the perfect accessory when the weather isn’t the warmest yet is still dry. Let’s face it we all want to get outside and enjoy our outdoor spaces as early in the year as we can so these are just what we need to do this.
A Focal Point
A focal point in the garden that can be seen from within the room leading to the outdoor space can be a great way to create a feel of length to the room. Statues can work well to draw the eye but when selecting what to use consider the size of the garden. This can be placed in the centre of a medium garden or at the back of a smaller garden and surrounded by pretty climbers.
What style of outdoor furniture would you choose, would it be geared to outdoor dining or relaxation?
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Oh, gosh, you’ve got me dreaming about what I could do and should do with my tiny garden. Thank you! Summers are now much warmer than a decade ago so well planned outdoor spaces are a real treat and a joy.
It’s great the options available. There is so much you can do with and outdoor space and loads of ways to make the room loading to it look so much larger.
We built a patio at the back of our house and have some lovely furniture. I love sitting outside in the summer, although the garden looks a bit wrecked at the moment
Sounds like a nice outdoor area. A little tlc in the garden from now and it’ll be perfect for the warmer weather.
I just can’t wait to actually have a garden when we move. We won’t be doing too much to it this year as it’s not our priority so for the moment I’m just happy having somewhere to sit x
It’ll be a work in process. It always helps to have ideas of what you can do for inspiration.
I really do need to do something with my garden! Shame really, it is south facing and when the sun shines it is wonderful to relax in – we just don’t get as much sun as we should! Sim x
It sounds like you have a perfect outdoor area to work with. A Parasol will be a great addition as will nice furniture to relax on.
Plants can really transform a space – it’s surprising how much of an impact even a single potted plant can have! The furniture can may a big impact too and be nice for a relaxing space.
It really is. When the right sized plants are correctly positioned it can make a big difference in creating a lovely welcoming space. Furniture is also important and must be chosen carefully.
I’d definitely be geared towards more relaxation. I love chilling out outside in the spring and summer, having some good old relaxation time. What fab furniture choices.
I don’t blame you, I think with all the stress we experience in our daily lives a relaxing space is important.
I think I’d have to opt for dining furniture as we love dining outside, although I do love to relax outside too!
It is a hard decision, I’d personally love both!
We are really keen to extend our home in to our garden, I love the idea of the bi-fold doors to bring the outdoors in.
I’d not really thought about it the other way. But I think these ideas are a great way to extend your living space in to a sometimes much under utilised area.
Roll on the spring x
It is a great way to make the most of available space. You can do so much and create a wonderful outdoor area.
It’s my dream to extend our living space outdoors. I think this is a really great idea and a good way to use outdoor space. I love the outdoor dining table.
That dining table looks great. It is perfect for a lovely outdoor area and ideal for entertaining.
I have not considered about lighting or heating for my outdoor garden space and would love to ensure that it is warm enough when we sit outside on a cold day and to get some suitable lights as well.
It makes all the difference to make sure you have all the little things covered too. Lighting and heating are all important and make a big difference to enjoyment of the outdoor space.
id definately love a bigger outside area for my family
It can be really lovely and a great way to make the home feel larger.
Brilliant post with some wonderful tips on how to make the most of your outdoor areas. I would love to make my outdoor space more of a relaxation haven but it would be great to have some dining space too. Love the big parasol.
It’s nice to have a bit of a mix. The parasol is great, makes the perfect shield when the sun is strongest.
We’ve done a lot on our garden since we moved in, pulled up a load of blocks and laid turf, and tidied up a BBQ area. I really want new decking and some beautiful outdoor furniture now. Some nice inspiration here!
Sounds like you still have a lot to do to be ready for the warmer weather although you’ve done a fair amount. Good luck, I bet it will look wonderful when complete.
Wow there are some amazing ideas here. It is always nice to extend and create more outdoor space for sure xx
It really is. Being outdoors is great and has health benefits too.
We are hoping to do our garden up this summer at some point. Wish I had the room for bifolding doors!
The good thing is they’re not essential. Make sure you use plenty of plants and some lovely furniture and you can create the most wonderful little haven outdoors.
I think that garden furniture really makes a big difference to a garden, especially in the summer.
I agree. It can make the garden so much more inviting and make it feel more relaxing.
Lots of really good points you raise here and some very inspirational photos.
Thanks Carolyn. I’m so pleased you liked it x