Socialising in Your Garden

During the pandemic we all realised the importance of having access to outside space. There were times we only only socialise in our gardens and over the last two years gardens and balconies have added a premium to the value of homes. Houses with gardens were in high demand and supply simply can’t keep up.

If you have a house with a garden and it’s time to sell up – or you have just moved and want to make the most of your outside space, here are some tips and ideas to get your garden looking stylish and comfortable all year round.

Under cover

Alfresco dining is hard to beat as long as you’re warm and dry – something that can be tricky to achieve here in Scotland. Try to create an area that can be used all year round with a covered area to protect you from rain and strong sunlight and with a fire pit, patio heater or wood burner. For cover, you could use a simple pergola with a corrugated plastic roof, which is a reasonably affordable option, or you could look at sustainable and more permanent solutions using wood and slate.

Keep it cosy

Try to bring out items you would normally use indoors such ornaments, fairy lights, an outside rug, cushions, plants and flowers/shrubs to create a cosy area to make you feel like you’re in a living area rather than a garden. String lights are a great way to create a cosy area and combined with heating it makes a lovely place to hang out.

Seating

Guests tend to form clusters so try and create multiple seating zones using bench seating which could double up as cushion storage, coffee tables and a dining table. With an array of seating areas, you can make it suitable for families with older children who want to hang out in the garden but still keep their 2m distance. Consider an area with an outside sofa with weather proof cushions, rattan armchairs, bench seating, footstools, beanbags or even a hanging chair.

Cooking

To avoid going in and out of the kitchen and interrupted conversations, consider an alfresco kitchen. You can get a pizza built into a particular area or buy one on wheels that can be moved, a barbecue that can be kept outside all year or simply a fire pit that you can use for roasting marshmallows! You could also include weather resistant cabinetry, food preparation worktop or mobile kitchen block, pull out bins, flooring to withstand spills and an outside glasses, cutlery and crockery depending on your budget and the space available.

Heating

Just as in a living room, it’s lovely to have a focal point with a fire pit or wood burning stove. Try and choose something that’s both functional and looks great.

Entertainment

Why not use the outside dining area to relax and watch a movie? You can get some incredible projectors to watch the latest shows on Netflix, Prime, Sky, Apple TV and more. Combined with a comfortable and atmospheric seating area a movie night is a great way to hang out with friends whilst socially distancing.