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Tips For Maximising Your Outdoor Living Space
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Your outdoor living space can be much more than just a backyard or patio; with thoughtful planning and the right features, such as pergolas, carports, verandas, and quality garden furniture, it can become a true extension of your home. Designed for relaxation, social gatherings, dining, and enjoying nature, any outdoor area, whether large or small, can be redefined into a versatile, inviting space you’ll enjoy year-round. At Exterior Spaces, we specialise in providing high-quality aluminium solutions that help you optimise and fully enjoy your outdoor setting. This guide will explore practical design strategies, from optimising layout to creating a seamless flow between interiors and exteriors, incorporating key elements like greenery, lighting, and shelter. Learn how to make the most of your outdoor living space and create an environment that perfectly complements your lifestyle.
Understanding Your Outdoor Space: Layout Considerations
Firstly, reflect on the size and layout of the space you are working with. For larger gardens, think about creating distinct sections for lounging, cooking, and dining. This way, each part of the space feels engaging and serves a specific purpose. In smaller spaces, combining dining and lounging with versatile pieces can be an ideal solution, allowing you to keep the area comfortable and inviting without it feeling cramped. Landscape architect David Pfeiffer suggests visualising your outdoor living space as a floor plan where each zone has a purpose and flows naturally with your indoor rooms. For example, placing an alfresco dining area near the kitchen simplifies meal prep and serving, allowing you to move between the spaces effortlessly.
As you plan, consider the views from each area. Arrange seating and pathways to draw attention to appealing natural features and avoid blocking sightlines which can cut off the space and interrupt the flow. Instead, bring in natural accents like shrubs, potted plants, or small trees to add character and interest without creating visual barriers.
For Those with Expansive Spaces to Fill
A large exterior offers a fantastic opportunity to create distinct zones for various activities, turning your yard into a versatile space. You can dedicate separate areas for lounging, dining, and cooking, using pathways, garden beds, or low fences to help define each zone and give it a clear purpose. Structures like carports and pergolas add shade and height, making these spaces more comfortable and inviting, whether you’re relaxing with a book or gathering for a meal. On cooler evenings, a firepit or outdoor fireplace brings warmth and creates a cosy gathering spot, while a water feature, such as a pond, fountain, or small waterfall, adds a calming touch that softens background noise and attracts local wildlife.
When Space is at a Premium
When working with a smaller outdoor area, thoughtful planning becomes essential. Choose compact furniture, such as bistro sets, folding chairs, or wall-mounted seating, to maximise your space without it feeling overcrowded. Look for multifunctional pieces, like benches with built-in storage or tables that expand, to add flexibility without taking up too much room. Vertical features, such as wall-mounted planters or shelves, offer a way to add greenery and personality without using precious floor space. If you’re looking to create the illusion of more room, consider using reflective surfaces like aluminium or outdoor mirrors, which can add a sense of lightness and depth to smaller spaces.
5 Design Tips for a Comfortable and Stylish Outdoor Setting
1) Offer Shade, Shelter & Privacy
Adding shade and shelter can make your outdoor living space much more comfortable, regardless of the season. Pergolas are a great option for creating partial shade, offering protection from direct sunlight while still allowing for an open, airy feel. Our bioclimatic pergolas can be equipped with modern features, such as rain sensors that close the roof louvres when it starts to rain. A wind sensor can also automatically raise the blinds, preventing them from getting damaged in gusty weather. For those living in areas with frequent rain, a carport can serve as a useful covered seating area or barbecue zone, sheltering you without sacrificing the open-air experience. If you want flexibility, retractable awnings allow you to adjust the amount of sun or shade, depending on the weather or time of day. Additionally, pergolas are excellent for added privacy and security making them especially useful in townhouses or gardens that are overlooked by neighbours.
2) Creating Continuity Between Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
Merging interior and exterior areas brings a sense of openness and continuity to your home, making both environments feel more expansive and inviting. Bifold or sliding doors work beautifully to dissolve the boundary, inviting natural light in and creating an effortless flow for gatherings. Adding a veranda or glass canopy can provide a sheltered alfresco living space, bridging the indoors and outdoors with a setting perfect for unwinding or entertaining year-round. By weaving together similar colours, textures, and materials in both areas, you create a harmonious design that feels like a natural extension of your home, where one space flows naturally into the other.
3) Go Green
Plants can bring warmth, privacy, and natural beauty to your outdoor environment. A mix of greenery, such as trees, shrubs, flowering plants, and herbs, adds depth to the landscape, making it feel vibrant and inviting. Taller plants like hedges and climbing vines can create natural barriers for privacy, offering a secluded, peaceful atmosphere. If you’re looking for low-maintenance options, succulents, lavender, and ornamental grasses provide lush greenery without the need for frequent upkeep.
4) Lighting, Heating & More
Lighting plays a crucial role for both atmosphere and practicality in your alfresco living space. String or festoon lights add a warm glow above dining areas or patios, while wall-mounted solar lights are ideal for pathways, automatically illuminating at night. To maintain a cohesive look between your indoor and outdoor living areas, consider matching your lighting fixtures across both spaces. If you’re adding a pergola or carport, our bioclimatic pergolas offer built-in speakers and heaters to keep the area comfortable, while LED perimeter lighting in our bespoke carports and pergolas ensures a welcoming ambiance that lasts well into the evening or on cooler mornings.
5) Quality Garden Furniture
Investing in quality garden furniture makes your outdoor space comfortable and durable, ready to withstand the Great British weather. Materials like aluminium, teak, and synthetic wicker are all strong choices for long-term exterior use. In larger spaces, deep-seated sectionals or a spacious dining table create a welcoming setting for groups, while in smaller areas, compact, multi-purpose pieces work best. Our Leeds showroom offers Garden Trading’s natural-material furniture, known for its enduring quality and comfort. This exclusive collection brings a touch of luxury to outdoor settings, with options that weather well across seasons.
Creating an inviting outdoor living space is all about thoughtful choices that suit your needs and maximise what’s available, whether you have a sprawling garden or a compact patio. By setting up distinct areas for lounging, dining, and entertaining, you can craft an outdoor extension of your home, perfect for gathering, unwinding, or dining. Incorporating structures like pergolas, carports, and verandas provides options for shade, shelter, and privacy, allowing you to enjoy the space comfortably throughout the year. Whether you opt for versatile furniture, strategic lighting, or lush greenery, every touch you add will contribute to a more welcoming and practical outdoor retreat.
At Exterior Spaces, our expertly crafted aluminium products offer a perfect blend of practicality and elegance for your outdoor living space. Visit our showroom to see how these sleek, versatile structures can add a fresh dimension to your property and explore our exclusive collection in person!
