Bring Indoor Style Outside

If your deck, verandah or patio is looking shabby and sad, with sagging chairs or mouldy old wooden tables, you’re wasting the chance to create another sitting room that you can use between now and autumn. Here’s how you can use indoor decorating techniques to make your outdoor spaces as comfortable as your living room.

1. Create shelter
The most significant enhancement you can make to your outdoor spaces is to create flexible shelter from the elements. Shelter allows you to spend more time comfortably outside. A covered pergola is just as effective as a roof extension if your budget is on the tighter side.

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2. Add heat 
Once you have achieved a flexible, sheltered space, the next step is to provide heating, as in most parts of the country evenings are still cool. One way to maximise the use of your outdoor room is an open wood fire, which, as well as creating a wonderful ambience and heat, can also be designed for cooking – even if it’s just marshmallows. 

3. Bring on the light
As with interiors, the right lighting can make or break your outdoor space. Sure, candles on the table are pretty, but do not overlook the opportunities to create more atmosphere in your outdoor room. If you have a solid roof over your space, you have the opportunity for feature pendant lighting. Just be sure that they are certified for outdoor use. In a larger outdoor room with a ceiling lining the overhead roof, you can also use ceiling-mounted LED downlights, great for washing light down a wall or creating general illumination. However, as in a living room, when using downlights it’s important to complement them with feature and ambient lighting.




4. Furnish with care
This is where you can really turn your outdoor space into a proper living area. Just like inside your home, comfort and functionality are paramount when choosing the furniture for your outdoor room. Think about how you will use your space. Will it change depending on the season? Do you want pieces for summer sunbathing or to cosy up on a sunny winter’s day? Provide flexibility to accommodate varying numbers of people, and think about what will work for formal and informal gatherings. Ottomans, side tables and coffee tables also add functionality, and create more of an ‘interior’ style for your outdoor area. They also provide extra seating or somewhere to put your feet up when you’re ready to unwind.