HOW TO EXTEND YOUR
LIVING SPACE OUTDOORS
Transform your garden into an outdoor living space for eating, relaxing and entertaining, with chic dining sets, outdoor cushions, colourful picnicware, laid-back sun loungers and outdoor lighting
Make space for outdoor dining
Make a resolution to eat outside whenever the weather allows. Start the day with a coffee and croissant outdoors, break up a WFH day with an al fresco lunch and have post-work sundowners on Friday evenings to mark the end of the week. Choose from dining sets or a multipurpose set designed for dining and relaxing. Make it a special occasion every time with colourful picnicware and outdoor glasses. At weekends, add a vase of fresh flowers, put out nibbles, fire up the barbecue or heat up the pizza oven and enjoy your outdoor space with family and friends.
Create a relaxing retreat
If you have the luxury of plenty of outdoor space, consider dividing your garden into zones to enjoy throughout the day. Think about which areas are sunny and at what time. You might want to position your garden dining set in an area that gets morning sun for breakfast and your comfy outdoor seating for relaxing in a spot that gets sun in the afternoon and early evening. How about turning an underused area into a retreat where you can escape for some ‘me time’ with a good book, podcast or the weekend papers? Set up a sun-lounger next to a coffee table for drinks and a parasol for shade.
Set the scene with outdoor lighting
Make the most of summer evenings and stay outside long after dusk with the help of outdoor lighting. There are lots of different types and looks you can create in your garden. For a gorgeous glow, place terracotta three-wick candles and five-wick outdoor candles on tables (they’ll also scent the air with citronella and green tea). Line paths and flowerbeds with outdoor path lights, dot hurricane lanterns around lounging areas or hang festoon lights above dining or seating areas to set the scene for magical summer memories.
Words: Miranda Eason
