Creating a living room outside is an incredibly quirky yet rewarding experience when done right. There are lots of aspects to consider so as to not make any glaring mistakes, from your choice of furniture to location and your choice in flooring. We’ve listed some of our essential tips for the designing process here, to help you avoid problems with this new project, and to give you a bit of inspiration for your outdoor space.
Special Uses
Your outdoor living area doesn’t just have to be for sitting and relaxing. To really give this space a exciting and different feel, why not designate a special use for it? You could turn it into an outdoor dining space complete with a cooking area such as a static grill or even a rustic pizza oven. Or, if you have the space, add a hot tub alongside your other furniture for some enjoyable, luxury evenings no matter the weather.
Weather Protection
In the UK, weather is a constant concern, with the heavens opening up sometimes seemingly at random. Having a system in place to beat this unpredictable climate is essential to keep your outdoor living area save from damage and to allow you to continue your gatherings without running for shelter. A great choice to get some respite from downpours is to have an attractive veranda installed at the side of your home. Covering your outdoor living room with a sturdy yet transparent structure not only keeps the rain off of your guests and your furniture, but it also allows the sun to shine through. For a wide range of options, check out nationwideltd.co.uk.
Photo by Jason Jarrach on Unsplash
Heating And Lights
A great addition to a sheltered seating area would be some electric heating lamps to help take the chill off on those cold evenings. Similarly, you could use standing gas heaters although it’s best to weigh up your options as both can be fairly expensive over time. The way you light your outdoor living space is also incredibly important, primarily for aesthetic purposes. There are lots of handy tips and tricks for setting the mood with outdoor lighting and a popular choice for this is to use fairy lights or festoon lights. Spiral your lights around veranda pillars or trail them along walls and around doorways. Standing lights can also be a good option, especially if you use them to illuminate eye-catching features around your garden. Placing lights near water features for example can really add a mystical feel to the place.
Floors And Materials
Deciding on the floor for an outdoor space requires a bit of decision making. There are many options for you here from decking to slabs and sometimes these can even be covered with rugs. You’ll also have to decide on what materials to use for both your floors and your furniture. Ideally, you should use waterproof materials here. For woods and metals, you’ll want to be certain they’re protected from the elements. Make sure any wood, be it floors or furniture is treated to prevent rotting, and take care of metal furniture to stop them from rusting. The last thing you want if for your new furniture to weaken and break due to a lack of care.