Focus on your outdoor space too

If you thought interior design was just for interiors, you’d be very much mistaken…gardens are THE big trend.

We’ve all had to change the way we live in the past few years, and (weather dependent) we all like to spend time in our gardens. Creating a space that helps us unwind, and, as lockdown gradually eases, a space where we can start entertaining again.

Let’s start with garden furniture as there’s some great items on the market – and not just at the expensive end. In recent years we’ve seen much more stylish garden furniture coming onto the market and some of the newest designs wouldn’t look out of place in the most modern of homes. I have a particular fondness for Homesense as I bagged a real bargain for a client recently – less than £500 for an on trend sofa plus two chairs that were retailing at more than five times that on a branded website.

Homesense (obviously), B&M, Home Bargains and Dunelm (their egg chairs are amazing at only £199.00) are really bringing something to the market in terms of affordable, yet pretty amazing outdoor furniture. And there’s something for every garden with bistro tables for two, and some lovely rattan sets for larger spaces. Designers are creating furniture that looks good but can also withstand the British weather.

And if you’re looking to ring the changes by injecting some colour, there’s a great range of outdoor cushions that offer a fun look and reasonably priced outdoor rugs too that give a nice feel underfoot as well as making the outside feel very much part of the inside. Ramp it up with candles (citronella keeps the bugs at bay) and jars of wild flowers.

Whether you have a small garden, or just want to create a new look without having to invest in major landscaping, creating a garden with potted plants is a quick and easy way to update your space. I have to hold my hands up and say I’m not green fingered (much to my mum’s annoyance as she loves gardening) but I do like a nice garden and we manage to have some colour in outdoor pots even if the rest of the garden is a bit ‘wild’. I love the idea of growing herbs and vegetables and ‘home grown’ has really come to the fore.

Lighting adds to any scheme and you can enjoy outdoor space long into the evening if you get the lighting right – include a mix of mains-connected lighting with fairy lights and solar powered options. Throw in a fire pit and you’ve got a great outdoor space well into the night.

Barbecues and outdoor entertaining are an ever increasing trend that have seriously moved on to now include outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens. Whatever your choice, there’s nothing nicer than the smell of BBQ food – plus I don’t have to do the cooking!

Catherine, Interior Designer, Bert and Wills