It’s the summer solstice, and although the weather has been a bit ‘hit and miss’ lately with not as much sunshine as we would like, the days are at least lighter.  It’s that time of year when we turn our attention to our outdoor living spaces, perhaps focusing on making the changes that we didn’t do last summer.

  Below you’ll find a few outdoor trends that you may like to implement to turn your garden into the ideal living space- a space to relax and entertain.

Let’s have a look at some outdoor living room refresh ideas.

As always, think of your garden or patio as an extension of your home, so that when you do choose colours, furniture, and soft furnishings ensure the look is a seamless continuation of one room to another -just in this case from an indoor room to an outdoor room. Your outdoor living room is so much more than a few nice chairs and a table on the decking!

Multipurpose outdoor spaces

Our outdoor spaces need to be multipurpose and multifunctional. Think about what you wish to use the space for. Relaxation, entertaining? Do you fancy an outdoor kitchen, a moon garden or even a sensory garden? Do you have the space for these?

Whatever the function/s you’ve chosen, choose the ‘right’ space for it. How close to the back door would you like it to be? Or is the end of your garden ideal? Do you need some privacy there? Do you need a lattice fence or something else to provide privacy? 

Think about the light, any water features that you may already have, what about the view? 

What about a covered pergola, would that help to zone off an area?  With the unpredictable weather we currently have, a covered pergola with open-side coverings, ensures that we can make the most of our outdoor living rooms.

If you live in a small home or an apartment, having some sort of outdoor space that is an extension of the interior is very important. These spaces can double up as an outdoor home office and dining area, so choosing the right furniture that can be used for either function is paramount. Mix it up with interesting chairs and soft furnishings, then you have an interesting outdoor living room.

Choosing the ideal outdoor furniture

Modular furniture is easy to rearrange for different activities if space is limited. If you’re lucky enough to be able to have a large enough garden that will accommodate a seating area and a dining area, then choose something different if you prefer. 

I would suggest choosing items that are functional, timeless, and durable to cope with the elements.

The ultimate outdoor living room would include furniture that offers the same level of comfort and style as you would choose for your indoor living room, complete with rugs, coffee tables, fireplaces, or alternative heating solutions making it a room that could be used all year round.  There is now a greater variety of weather-resistant fabrics and materials available which all contribute to making outdoor living rooms cosy and inviting, not to mention weatherproof electronic devices.

Choose furniture that is eco-friendly or sustainable such as wood (teak), stone, concrete, bamboo and rattan, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also durable. Choosing natural materials provides a sense of warmth, texture and timelessness, an extension of nature within your garden.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is comfortable. If more occasional seating is required, consider pouffes and footstools which are easy to move around as needed.   

Cosy, colourful & comfortable furnishings

Whatever you choose for your outdoor soft furnishings, whether it is an earthy Scandinavian look or a bright tropical summer look, ensure that it creates a sense of continuity with your indoor space.

Tailor this space to suit your needs. How much seating do you need? Choose something comfortable and cosy, and that can be used both during the day and evening. If you have a small space, then outdoor chairs may give you more flexibility. Next, what about cushions and throws to snuggle into, and rugs to soften the space and make it really an outdoor living room?

Add in some sort of outdoor heating, (fireplace, fire pit, chiminea) in addition to a cosy throw for those cooler summer evenings. Ensure that cushions and cushion covers are made from outdoor fabric to increase longevity.

Outdoor Lighting

As with any interior, lighting is essential for exterior spaces too.  Layer your lighting to create maximum effect. If you have access to an outdoor plug or two, that is very helpful, otherwise, you’ll be relying on candles solar-powered lights, or battery-operated lights.

 To create the ideal ambient mood, layer your lighting by using a combination of different types of light. For example, trail solar-powered fairy lights in amongst trees and shrubs or around a pergola.  Mid-level lighting could be candles, hurricane lamps, or fairy lights in a jar.  At ground level use solar-powered lighting to light your path as well as the occasional light in between plants.

 Using a similar combination will add a soft warm magical glow to your garden.

Outdoor accessories

Technology is so much a part of our lives, so being connected to it in the garden is something you may like – listening to music, catching up on podcasts – Bluetooth and portable speakers make it so easy to catch up on podcasts, stream Spotify or play favourite tunes. Using smart technology with lighting is also something you may like to add, or you may opt to have your outdoor living space a technology-free zone.

Even though your garden may have a beautiful view, adding a few well-chosen accessories will enhance it. A large mirror, bounces light around, making your garden feel a little larger, it also creates a focal point and transforms a blank wall.  

Hanging planters and other decorative garden accessories, like a garden clock or a strategically placed water feature or garden statue add interest and finishing touches.

 If you want to truly connect your interior and outdoor living spaces, then sliding doors, French doors, and bi-folds might be something to consider -not such a quick easy addition, but a long-term goal perhaps?

 Another ‘accessory’ to add, especially if your outdoor living space is a patio, is a living wall or various pot plants. I suggest grouping them in threes.

 Are you now ready to transform your outdoor living room? I hope these ideas have inspired you to turn whatever outdoor space you have, into the ideal outdoor living room for you.

Need a little more outdoor living room inspiration? Have a look at the Outdoor Living shopping board below.

Have fun creating your outdoor living space this Summer.

1. hurricane lamp 2. wire round outdoor mirror 3. outdoor sofa

4. outdoor throw 5. planters 6.  outdoor pouffe

7. outdoor cushion 8. Outdoor rug