Turn your garden or deck into an outdoor living room with the help of a few functional and decorative pieces. Accessories are just as important outside as in, so don’t stop at furniture when styling your alfresco area. When the sun comes out, use it as an opportunity to get out of the house and connect with your natural surrounds. Here are some of our tips for accessorising your outdoor space and maximising the time you spend outdoors.
The key ingredient to a well-designed outdoor entertaining area is comfort. Aim to create the same amount of comfort outdoors as your cosiest indoor lounge area. Start with the necessities such as garden chairs, sofas and ottomans, and finish the space off with outdoor bean bags and plenty of soft deco cushions. Not only will you have an enviably comfortable setup, but they will also look fantastic and add an extra dimension to your hard-wearing teak, wicker or powder-coated outdoor setting.
Decorative cushions are also great for creating an alternative informal seating area on the lawn or by the swimming pool. All you need is a large towel or outdoor rugs, teamed with a generous selection of comfy throw cushions. This quick and easy setup is perfect for small gardens or families with young children.
With beautiful hues of nature as your backdrop, vibrant pops of colourful fabrics and patterns that would appear overwhelming indoors will be much more subdued outside. Decide on an outdoor colour scheme that complements your interior design, and introduce eye-catching features through-out your garden that will draw your guests attention beyond the four walls of your home. This can be done using colourful and weather-safe outdoor products such as casual chairs, cushions, bean bags, rugs and coffee tables.
Pots in varying heights and sizes can help separate and define areas of your garden whilst adding a sculptural element and luscious greenery. Large outdoor courtyards with decking, paving or tiles can sometimes appear bare and lifeless. It is important to introduce beautiful pots filled with rich-coloured flowers, succulents and trees to bring the space to life.
Last but not least, ensure your outdoor space will come to life in the evenings. By introducing ambient outdoor lights and garden lighting, you won’t be forced inside when the sun goes down. We all love to get together with friends and enjoy a summer BBQ outside. By integrating a selection of candle holders and re-chargeable LED lights, you will create a magical atmosphere and enjoy long conversations under the stars.