Spend more time outside, whatever size your space.
Room to improve
Want to add living space without the stress of an extension? A garden room could be the answer as you can make it be whatever you want it to be – a home office, a yoga studio or somewhere to stash the kid’s toys.
Get the look Prices start at £15,000 for a 3x2m garden room, London Garden Studios.
Lap it up
Taking the plunge on a pool? Maybe even one like this that you can jump into from your bedroom! Without warm weather all year, you’ll need to plan how to take the chill off. ‘Oil and gas boilers and electric heaters may spring to mind but don’t forget heat pumps, heat exchangers and solar panels, which are more environmentally friendly,’ says Sallie Leslie-Golding of the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association.
Get the look Try Exterior Decking for timber cladding like this.
Palm court
Tropical is topical in urban settings where a slice of escapism extends the holiday vibe beyond the summer months. Invest in large pots for your plants, and think along the lines of yuccas, agaves and olive trees. In this snug courtyard, a pergola provides extra growing space as well as shade for the tropical-inspired sofa.
Get the look Palmeral fabric, £95m, House of Hackney. For composite decking, try Millboard.
Check out these cool outdoor updates for your garden or terrace.
Swing low
Recreate the ingredients of a relaxing holiday in your garden with a hammock in a sunny spot. Vertical planting maximises the space and is a good way to green up a city setting. Add painted planters for a dash of drama. ‘Plainer gardens can benefit from a bold splash of colour while those full of flowers might suit more subtle shades,’ advises Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar.
Get the look Similar hammock, Simply Hammocks.
Lounging around
Transform your garden into an oasis of comfort and style with colourful cushions, outdoor rugs and soft throws. ‘Mix colour, pattern and texture to inject personality,’ suggests Elena Paparozzi, furniture buyer at Heal’s. Here, the various elements are anchored by a rug, while the living wall is the star of the space.
Get the look Float easy chair, from £1,500, Paola Lenti. For a living wall, try Treebox.
Back to nature
With gardens increasingly serving as extensions to our living spaces, outdoor showers are no longer just for those living in exotic climes. ‘When installing an outdoor shower, I would always advise a fixed drain that connects to existing waste pipes,’ says Annabel Williams, designer at CP Hart.
Get the look Aquart outdoor shower, £209, Seletti.
Dining out
Stylish outdoor furniture is essential for alfresco dining. ‘We recommend handcrafted teak because of its timeless style and how it mellows with age,’ says Paul Allen of Luxury Outdoor Living. ‘For a more modern look, seek out robust, powder-coated aluminium frames and weatherproof fabrics and finishings.’
Get the look Bernard teak dining table, £2,698; Edgard dining chairs, £415 each, both Vincent Sheppard. Diamond watering can, £48, Amara. North bowl, £12, BoConcept.
See more ideas for cool outside spaces.
