Outdoor living is always in season
May 17, 2022
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: spring’s in full swing and summer’s in sight. As we begin to spend more time outdoors than indoors, we pay attention to our gardens, patios and indeed any outdoor space. Although we can’t change our British weather, we can certainly give you some advice on how to make the most of your outdoor space regardless of its size or shape.
Make it personal
Every project should start with you! Ask yourself what you’re expecting from your outdoor space. Would you like a place to grow your own vegetables? Are you longing for a quiet spot to read and sunbathe? Or is it supposed to be an al fresco heaven in which to entertain friends and family?
Your outdoor space should be a place for you to enjoy and somewhere you can happily welcome guests into. Outgoing, minimalistic, bright, bold – fill your space with your personality as well as furniture and accessories that are complementing it.
Rethink surfaces
Whilst you’re in the process of improving your outdoor space, you may as well change the existing surfaces. Gravel is still a top choice because it’s not only great for drainage but it also looks pretty striking in conjunction with the right planting.
Or how about porcelain? Its hard-wearing, slip-resistant and frost-proof properties make it a practical yet on trend option for outdoor walls and floors with hundreds of design choices to pick from.
Think ‘indoors’
Al fresco living is one of the greatest joys when the sun is out. You’ll really get to embrace it when you treat your outdoor space in the same way you would your indoor space. By bringing the same level of luxury and comfort you have inside outdoors, you’ll recreate the homely feel outside. Also, consider internal style elements such as layering up furniture and accessories with rugs and cushions as it’ll add atmosphere to a ‘room without walls and ceilings’.
Long tables and benches are ideal for a more informal dining experience, whereas lounge chairs and sun loungers make for a great garden escape. Limited space calls for flexible and compact tables, stools and practical accessories such as wall mounted heaters.
Pieces for indoors & outdoors
Using your indoor furniture outdoors is perfectly fine. Side tables, stools, portable lighting and planters work well in different settings. Simply change these pieces up according to the time of year to help you create a more flexible space that evolves with the time of the day and across the seasons.
Feature planters
Raised planters are a true all-rounder: they work well in small spaces, introduce greenery to courtyard style gardens and are beautiful visual statements indoors and outdoors alike.
Try to mix and match plant styles, colours and heights for a unique display.
They’re also an impactful alternative to major re-landscaping, allowing you to create a flexible space that can be restyled as and when you wish. When the colder months draw in, you can take the planters inside and add a touch of the outdoors to your home.
Adorn the walls
A brick wall lends itself very well to hanging a standout mirror, multiple mirror pieces or some outdoor art. Bring a more rustic and natural look to your outdoor space by introducing split face and brick slip tiles. Both options are guaranteed to turn your garden wall into a feature wall.
Play with mood lighting
Imagine the sun has gone down on a warm summer’s evening and you’re savouring every minute outdoors. With the right exterior lighting, you can extend your indoor space outdoors, allowing you to make the most of your garden after dark. Bring a warm glow and ambience to al fresco drinks and dinners by introducing multipurpose, portable lights. There’s no need to worry about wiring thanks to a clever range of battery and solar powered lighting options that are easy to install and pretty to look at.
Clever colour choices
When it comes to styling your outdoor space, colours play a vital role as they’ll define the overall look and feel. Outside your four walls you can definitely be braver with colour choices. Colour pops such as bright furniture could really bring your garden to life. White, black, soft greens and other natural tones add a touch of Scandi to your outdoor space too – minimalist, yet warm and homely.
Keep the chill at bay
It’s no secret that the Great British weather has a mind of its own but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy long relaxed evenings outside. There are a number of ways to keep you warm and cosy in your outdoor space, no matter the season.
Patio heaters come in many different styles. Choose from standing, hanging, wall mounted or tabletop heaters. The good thing is that they’re low maintenance, provide heat quickly and are very safe due to automatic shut off features.
Outdoor fire pits are a wonderful and less costly alternative to open fires or in-ground fire pits as you still get all the warmth, light, and flame in a contained, decorative piece. You’ll just need to decide whether you’d like to use wood, coal, propane or electronic ignition to create the perfect fire for roasting marshmallows.
Rustic, modern, table fire pits, fire bowls – there’s a fire pit to fit your outdoor space and recreate that campfire feel. Just a couple of things to be aware of though: the heat range of fire pits is limited and extra care needs to be taken when children and pets are around given the use of open flames.
Cube project portfolio
When we’re working on bigger extension or refurbishment projects, some clients are keen to give their outdoor space an overhaul at the same time. Transforming the great outdoors makes these home improvements complete as the newness seamlessly follows on from indoors.
We’ve picked a couple of project examples from our website to give you a visual taster and maybe even some garden envy:
A client’s brief for their recent house extension in Hampton Hill included a makeover of their outdoor space. Cube created a cobbled courtyard with a perfectly sheltered spot for morning teas and coffees. We also landscaped their garden and added some steps to make it easily accessible. Stunning results this way please.
Another beautiful transformation was created in Ickenham, Middlesex where we converted and extended a bungalow into a two-storey property and gave our client’s garden some much-needed TLC. The continuous matching tiling inside and out, divided by a set of large bifold doors which fully open onto the landscaped garden with a lawn as the centrepiece make for a very unique outdoor space.
If you feel sunshine alone is not going to make your home and outdoor space look rosy again, Cube is at hand from initial chats through to design, manage and building whatever you envisage.