11 ways to level-up your outdoor space
Ready to have friends over in the garden again? Us too. Here are some outdoor space ideas to get your garden party-ready in no time.
Freshen up with a paint job
Pull those loungers and garden furniture sets out of the garage and spend a (hopefully sunny) afternoon sprucing them up. Giving outdoor furniture and accessories a fresh coat of paint is a quick way to add a colourful update to the garden and create a striking outdoor space. There are a range of paints available which can be used on wood, masonry and metal so make sure you choose the right paint for the job so they can work to protect your items as well as brighten them up. Don’t forget to touch up flaky walls, windowsills, fencing and railings too.
HLN’s tip: For a luxurious garden makeover, choose a colour palette to run through your furniture and soft furnishings.
Outdoor rugs are a trend right now
The perfect way to create a cosy living space outside, outdoor rugs have had a huge surge in popularity and are being used to define a ‘living space’ in the garden. They’re also quite practical, bringing less dirt indoors and covering less than perfect grass or paving which has weathered a British winter.
With the right lighting and accessories, these affordable rugs will make you want to stay al fresco all evening.
Large plants will make a big difference
Plant plenty of tubs and pots with large plants, scented flowers, herbs and shrubs for you to enjoy. Place them around your seating area so you can breathe in relaxing scents as you relax in your garden.
We love these baskets from Plantopia and these metallic outdoor pots from Hortology.
Choosing plastic? Choose sustainable
Made from 3.5kgs of recycled ocean plastic waste including fishing nets and ropes, the DuraOcean has helped to remove over 150,000kgs of waste from the ocean and is working to stop it from reaching the ocean in the first place. The chairs are also fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan – just pop them in the recycling bin – but these are high quality and will last a long time.
Who said art was just for indoors?
Yard Art UK creates bespoke art wall panels that are ideal for adding that extra dimension to your garden. They can be mounted to brick or concrete walls and fences and also have a 3D effect! All of the designs (including the frame) are digitally printed with UV protected weatherproof colourfast inks and applied to an outdoor grade Perspex panel.
They come in lots of designs, so whether you’re looking for boho or bespoke, there’s something for everyone.
Invest in a firepit
Firepits add instant atmosphere, not to mention warmth when the sun starts to fade. Even the smallest outdoor spaces can fit a small firepit. Trust us, no matter how small, they make a big difference.
Cushions and rugs will make a huge difference
Eco-friendly brand Weaver Green makes all of its accessories from 100% recycled plastic bottles but look and feel like soft, natural materials. Due to the nature of the fabric, all products are stain and water-resistant, machine washable, extremely durable and UV stable – perfect for surviving outdoors.
HLN tip: Our opinion when it comes to cushions and throws outdoors? More is more.
Good lighting is everything
Lighting can instantly give a space atmosphere and ensure you can enjoy your garden long after the sun sets. A little lighting can go a long way…
Solar lighting is a great option – fairy lights are great as the outdoor versions are super durable and come on every night at dusk. Spike lights are also great and can easily be moved for changing seasons or to adapt to plant growth.
Highlight key features such as pots or sculptures with uplighting, then invest in some lanterns which can be moved around to light wherever you need it.
Durable accessories
OYOY is one of HLN’s favourite brands for fun and sophisticated accessories. Its Spring/Summer collection is packed full of ceramics and stoneware which are perfect for garden parties and long summer nights spent outside.
HLN’s picks:
Get the speakers sorted
The Diggit 55 is the ultimate entertaining speaker for every season – it has a removable stake so you can place it in the grass or a plant pot – or if you want, just take the stake off and rest it on a table. The stake keeps the Diggit 55 elevated so that your music can flow without being lost in the ground, while a clever Outdoor EQ Mode optimises the audio for wherever it’s placed. With an impressive 15 hours of battery life, the Diggit 55 also has water and dust resistance so that it’s ready for any weather. Ours have already been added to cart.
Don’t forget the kids
These super cute den-kits can be put up in any outdoor space – from a balcony, small yard or garden. Let the kids create their own garden retreat with The Cottage Garden Kit which comes with everything they need to create a small tent, complete with bunting and a kaleidoscope.
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