What could be better than warm, sunny weekends and outdoor barbecues enjoyed with friends? As we welcome a brand new decade why not look at the future of outdoor design, trends and start planning your outdoor entertaining area.
- Continuity:
To maximize your outdoor space by bringing the interior out with a complementary feel, by utilising the same textures, tones and finishes throughout. The backyard is no longer simply somewhere to hang the washing, think instead of your exterior space as an expansion of your living area and allow the style to flow through.
- Functionality:
Your space should not only look great but also work even better. Look to ensure that your area can be used in all weather, be multi-functional, used for dining, relaxing and able to use all year round, so consider cover, heating, ventilation, lighting and comfort. You will want to feel just as at home outside your home as you do in it.
- Lighting:
Done right, lighting can create ambience, improve your space and highlight garden details and features, whether it is spotlighting sculptural gardens or architectural details, think of lighting as a way to enhance the mood and style.
- Shade umbrellas/Verandas/Blinds & Awnings:
Essential for shade and keeping your area cool throughout summer, but also just as essential for trapping the heat and creating a welcome, usable space during the cooler months.
- Cooking area:
Whether that means a fully equipped, all singing all dancing kitchen with wine cooler and sink, BBQ or pizza oven, it should be designed for year round use so install to match your needs and aesthetics.
- Flexibly Modular furniture:
Multi-use pieces are on trend, so select furniture that can be moved or adjusted for varying uses. Create another layer and double the functionality of your furniture; such as a side table with cooler, cushion storage in your seating and fire pits that become tables.
- Flooring:
With so much on offer now from real wood to composite decking, pavers to porcelain tiles, mixing materials is a great way to define zones. Don’t forget about the massive selection of outdoor rugs to focus a space and for that additional homely feel.
- Planting:
Plants are a great way to add texture and liven up your entertainments space. Mix living walls, with potted plants to create depth, but unless you are green fingers or willing to spend days time pampering your plants pick low maintenance, on-trend plants that can be mixed and matched such as ferns, olive trees, Devil’s Ivy, cactus and succulents.
- Décor & Accessories:
When it comes to styling your outdoor entertainment space it is worth adopting the “less is more” philosophy. Think neutral finishes, cane, bamboo and rattan as they will continue in popularity in 2020, modernise with darker colours such as charcoal greys, deep navy blues, and contrast with strips and textures.
- Comfort is Key:
Keep this in mind right from the start as well as throughout the design process to ensure that this is a space that you’ll want to spend time in again and again.
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂