Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space

Kettler Palma sofa set in rattan

The past week or two have definitely started to feel a little spring like don’t you think? The sun has shown itself more and I’m really beginning to shake off those winter blues. The warmer weather has got me thinking about spending more time outside and of course this has made me think about our outdoor space. Don’t get me wrong, we’re lucky to even have a garden as we live in a first floor flat and I’m truly grateful that we have this outside space, but it’s not exactly the calm oasis I’d like it to be.

It’s on a bit of a slope and is very overlooked. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to do some work on it to make it more of a usable space that we want to spend time in. However, we’ve got so much going on at home at the moment as we are just about to get a new bathroom and do a makeover in the kitchen so unfortunately the garden is going to have to wait. But that doesn’t stop me thinking about all the lovely ways we could give our garden a more personal feel by bringing the comfort of our indoor space outdoors.

I was recently contacted by Kettler about their Indoor Outdoors campaign and asked to provide my top tips for making your outdoor space into a stylish extension of your home. So here are some things that you could consider implementing to create a cosy outdoor space that you want to spend time in all year round:

Kettler Palma sofa set in rattan

Choose cosy outdoor furniture
Your outdoor space needs to be comfortable for you to want to spend time there so it’s important to choose furniture that is designed for lounging in comfort. It also helps if the furniture can be left outside all year round. You’ll be more inclined to use the space if you don’t have to take the furniture out of storage every time you want to use it.

Umi + Yuri cushions from Extex

Add soft furnishings
Increase the comfort levels by adding soft furnishings such as throw blankets and cushions designed for use outdoors.

Virginia Casa Lanterna Range of Earthenware Lanterns from Kensington Design

Create atmosphere
There has to be a nice atmosphere in any space for you to want to spend time there and it’s no different for the garden or other outdoor spaces. Atmosphere can be created by adding lighting to your space such as candles, lanterns, fairy lights, light up plant pots or even an outdoor chandelier if that’s your kind of thing!

Hum Flowerpots from Hum Partnership

Add accessories
Personalise your space so it feels more homely by adding accessories such as colourful pots and planters, outdoor artwork, or sculptures.

Colorado Chimenea from Living It Up

Add a heat source
Outdoor spaces, especially in the UK require some form of heating so that they can also be used in the cooler months and after the sun has gone down in the evenings. Patio heaters, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and chimeneas are all good options for helping to keep things nice and toasty.

Indoor/Outdoor Clarence Rug from Dash & Albert Europe

Add an outdoor rug
You can create a much more cohesive feel by using an area rug to anchor the space. There are plenty of rugs available these days that can be used both indoors and outside. Not only do they help bring the space together but they also provide a luxurious feel underfoot and help to add more colour and pattern to the space giving it a much more personal feel.

oneQ Modular Outdoor Kitchen

Add an outdoor kitchen
Spending time outdoors often revolves around food and meals with friends and family so installing an outdoor kitchen takes all the hassle out of alfresco dining. Rather than preparing all the food indoors and then lugging it from the kitchen to the garden, an outdoor kitchen allows you to do all the preparation and the cooking in one convenient location.

Cocktail Cart in Rose Gold from Sisters Guild

Create a handy bar space
Whilst enjoying drinks outside, it is much more convenient if everything you need is kept close to hand rather than having to traipse back and forth to the fridge. A classy bar cart not only looks great but can be moved around the garden to wherever it is needed.

Hemi 36″ Fire Bowl from Solus Decor

Create a focal point
When we design our indoor spaces we usually like to ensure that there is some kinds of focal point in the room, whether it’s the TV, a window or a fireplace. The same goes for our outdoor spaces and by creating a focal point it helps to give the space a more cohesive feel. Installing a fire pit can be a really effective way to create a focal point that people will love sitting around.

Kettler Palma Sofa set rattan with Gazebo

Add a covered area
Whether it is to protect from the intensity of the mid-afternoon sun or to keep the rain off, creating a covered area to guard against the weather is always a good idea. Gazebos and pergolas are the perfect way to create cover in the garden and they also help to give the space more of an outdoor room feel as they help to enclose the space a little.You could also install thick curtains or floaty drapes to create more privacy.

So those are my top tips for bringing your indoor lifestyle outdoors. If you have any other tips or ideas of how to create an indoors feel outside feel free to tweet them to me using the hashtag #IndoorsOutdoors. I’d also love to see any photos of your outdoor spaces so feel free to post them on Twitter or Instagram and again make sure you use the hashtag #IndoorsOutdoors.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

If you need help getting your outdoor space off to a good start this spring I may just be able to help you. As part of Kettler’s Indoors Outdoors campaign they have very kindly given me a Palma Cube Set worth £599 to giveaway to one lucky reader.

The Palma Cube Set is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is maintenance free and can be left outdoors all year round, (excluding the cushions). It is handwoven and available in two colours (whitewash and rattan) and it comes with a three year warranty. The Palma Cube is great as a stand-alone item, but can also be joined up with the Palma Corner Set, Palma Sofa Set or Palma Mini for when you have extra guests.

All you need to do to enter is log in and follow the instructions below. The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and closes on 24th April 2016. Good Luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kettler has recently launched it’s Indoors Outdoors Hub which will feature tips, advice and inspiration for making the most of your garden and outside space by spending quality time outdoors, all year round, in a stylish extension of your home. To celebrate the launch of the new Hub Kettler is also running a giveaway of its own where you can win a Palma Sofa Set worth £1799. This would be a perfect compliment to the Palma Cube Set so you should probably head over and enter that giveaway too! What are you waiting for?