Outdoors: Turn Your Patio into a Chic Outdoor Living Space
Take your sitting room outside with these easy tricks to create a stylish garden lounge that's ideal for entertaining
When the sun is shining, we all want to spend as much time outdoors as we can. And the best way to do that? Break out of those four walls and create an outdoor living room in the garden. With the right furniture and accessories, your humble patio can become a stylish space in its own right, instantly extending the boundaries of your home and creating a garden room where you can hang out with family and friends. From minimalist to luxurious, these ideas will have you outside faster than you can say, ‘Cocktail, anyone?’.
Embrace natural textures
Wicker furniture is an old favourite for gardens, and with good reason. It works in both traditional and contemporary settings, is durable and is very easy to care for. Bottom line: when in doubt, you can’t go wrong with wicker.
Wicker furniture is an old favourite for gardens, and with good reason. It works in both traditional and contemporary settings, is durable and is very easy to care for. Bottom line: when in doubt, you can’t go wrong with wicker.
Divide it by three
When it comes to lounge logic, a good three-piece suite is always a winner. It’s a flexible option, meaning you can comfortably accommodate a group of people with different seating options, from armchairs to two-seaters to chaise longues. Footstools are great, too, as they can do double-duty as coffee tables.
When it comes to lounge logic, a good three-piece suite is always a winner. It’s a flexible option, meaning you can comfortably accommodate a group of people with different seating options, from armchairs to two-seaters to chaise longues. Footstools are great, too, as they can do double-duty as coffee tables.
Go full circle
Make the most of a stunning view with a circular, raised seating area that offers a 360-degree vista. Rounded furniture can also help to offset a boxy, square garden, and it’s also ideal for socialising – go heavy on the cushions so guests can settle in comfortably.
Make the most of a stunning view with a circular, raised seating area that offers a 360-degree vista. Rounded furniture can also help to offset a boxy, square garden, and it’s also ideal for socialising – go heavy on the cushions so guests can settle in comfortably.
Keep it simple
An outdoor seating area doesn’t need to be elaborate or extravagant – utilise a peaceful corner of the garden and install a simple banquette or bench where you can take in the fresh air and relax. You don’t need to splash out on new accessories either – just borrow cushions from your living room.
An outdoor seating area doesn’t need to be elaborate or extravagant – utilise a peaceful corner of the garden and install a simple banquette or bench where you can take in the fresh air and relax. You don’t need to splash out on new accessories either – just borrow cushions from your living room.
Get cosy
For a modern, luxe vibe, reserve as much space as you can afford to transform into a plush seating area. Choose extra-squishy cushions to add to the luxury feel. Make sure you opt for weather-proof fabrics that will stand the test of time (and elements), so your outdoor room is ready when you are.
For a modern, luxe vibe, reserve as much space as you can afford to transform into a plush seating area. Choose extra-squishy cushions to add to the luxury feel. Make sure you opt for weather-proof fabrics that will stand the test of time (and elements), so your outdoor room is ready when you are.
Opt for au naturel
Simple is often best for outdoor furniture, with soft, neutral fabrics that enhance rather than compete with the natural surroundings. This patio set in a warm linen shade blends perfectly with the pale wood decking, achieving a relaxed ambience that’s laid-back yet elegant.
Get more style ideas to make the most of your outdoor living area
Simple is often best for outdoor furniture, with soft, neutral fabrics that enhance rather than compete with the natural surroundings. This patio set in a warm linen shade blends perfectly with the pale wood decking, achieving a relaxed ambience that’s laid-back yet elegant.
Get more style ideas to make the most of your outdoor living area
Be Zen
If your garden is a tranquil haven where you go for quiet time to enjoy the beauty of nature, you can enhance the experience by keeping the furniture cool and minimalist. Cushions are optional – even without, this is a great setting in which to close your eyes and feel nature all around you.
If your garden is a tranquil haven where you go for quiet time to enjoy the beauty of nature, you can enhance the experience by keeping the furniture cool and minimalist. Cushions are optional – even without, this is a great setting in which to close your eyes and feel nature all around you.
Use the right angle
Just as in your living room indoors, an L-shaped settee has many benefits – whether you want to seat a large group or stretch out on your own, everyone’s happy. Add a pair of armchairs, as here, and this makes for ideal social seating – can’t you just picture the rooftop BBQs on this terrace?
Just as in your living room indoors, an L-shaped settee has many benefits – whether you want to seat a large group or stretch out on your own, everyone’s happy. Add a pair of armchairs, as here, and this makes for ideal social seating – can’t you just picture the rooftop BBQs on this terrace?
And… recline
Nothing says ‘holiday’ quite like a sun lounger and parasol. If you love lying out in the sun, take the idea one step further and define the space with sleek decking for your very own poolside-esque area with that essential St Tropez vibe.
TELL US…
How do you use your patio? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Nothing says ‘holiday’ quite like a sun lounger and parasol. If you love lying out in the sun, take the idea one step further and define the space with sleek decking for your very own poolside-esque area with that essential St Tropez vibe.
TELL US…
How do you use your patio? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
If your garden has a striking centrepiece, like this beautiful tree, make it a part of your ‘room’ and build your seating area around it. A tree will provide dappled shade, while a water feature will create a tinkling sound that’s wonderfully soothing, or a flower-covered arbour adds a sense of height and architecture.
Living in a rented home? Try these portable design fixes to pretty up your outside space