Bring the indoors, outdoors: make the most of your outdoor space

Back on the 22nd February 2021, the Prime Minister announced his roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England. One of the first stages of this, involved being able to meet in groups of up to 6 people outdoors (while still adhering to social distancing guidelines) but crucially, as well as in public spaces this applies to private gardens, too. Since the announcement, there has been a flurry of online activity with people searching for garden furniture, and general inspiration to make the most of their outdoor space. We’ve put together this post with some ideas to get you started.
 

Think about furniture

There are a few things to think about when considering what furniture to get for the garden. First of all, positioning. Take stock of the direction your garden faces, and track which part of the garden gets the sun at which time. As we’re going to be visiting people in gardens for some time while the weather’s still cooler, make the most of the natural heat and light!

For smaller spaces which have multiple uses, fold away furniture is a brilliant solution. Easy to store, and easy to bring out whenever the occasion should arise. If you’d like a more permanent space, how about a cosy corner with a small round table and a couple of chairs, free from children’s toys and general garden clutter?

And finally, cost. If you search for garden furniture online, you’ll see that the cost varies wildly. But one way of getting sophisticated and expensive-looking furniture for a fraction of the price tag, is if you’re willing to buy second hand and take on a bit of a project. Have a look at Shayna Alnwick’s The Flipped Piece on Instagram for furniture upcycling tips, tricks, and inspiration.

Give it some personality

Often people concentrate on interiors when styling to suit their personality, and run out of steam before they get outdoors. But why not extend that personal flair to the garden? A mixture of texture and colours in the form of cushions, throws, table runners, or even parasols are great and temporary ways to make your outdoor space suit you.

Get in the zone

This won’t be possible in all gardens, but if you’re finding yourself in need of an escape, creating different sections within your garden is a great idea. By planting plants in different heights, or using screens or trellises to section off a bit of your garden, you can create your own sanctuary while the children let off steam in their own area.

Heating

As we’re still looking at chilly evenings (and some days!) it’s worth considering your heating options. You can get patio heaters and have a selection of outdoor blankets to snuggle under, but why not put the fun into functional? A firepit or a chiminea not only give off lots of heat, they’re great for toasting marshmallows! Make sure to keep naked flames away from all things flammable though.

If you want to ramp up the cosiness, why not go full alpine bar? Hang some fairy lights, pop some solar charged LED lights into the ground, and sit around chatting at dusk with a pretty view.