An outdoor room provides the best of both worlds. A room that is both indoors and out, allows for a comfortable space that people can enjoy without being bothered by the weather, as winter storms and summer heatwaves can make your outdoor refuge uncomfortable.
On the other hand, a well-furnished and decorated outdoor room will allow you to enjoy all kinds of weather, without getting heatstroke in summer or hyperthermia in winter.
Here are some tips to make your outdoor space comfortable and practical:
Plants & greenery
The idea of an outdoor room is to enjoy all the comforts of the outdoors without actually being outdoors. You get the fresh air and natural light, but can still be protected against the harsh elements if need be. The best way to decorate an outdoor room is to use plants.
Pot plants come in all shapes and sizes, and can provide both oxygen and atmosphere to a room. If your outdoor room sits adjacent to a garden, plants provide good flow and continuity between the garden and room.
Plants can also create a sense of enclosure and colour for your outdoor space, brightening the room and making it more liveable.
Lights, lanterns & candles
Lighting is critical to an effective outdoor space, especially at night when you have no natural light to play with. Using atmospheric subtle lights is the best way to go. Lanterns work exceptionally well, adding character to any room with a soft, inoffensive light.
Candles are always effective, you can find a range of colourful and scented candles, which add both aesthetic features and atmosphere. Fairy lights can be draped around an outdoor room, perfect for parties or Christmas time, or just some fun lighting that everyone enjoys.
During the day it’s more a case of controlling light than creating light. Obviously, you want some protection from the sun; an effective sunshade should do just fine. Alternatively, a large umbrella that is portable and easy to move around will do the job, or a surround awning that you can open and shut when needed would be perfect.
Wood
It is preferable, if not always practical, to use natural materials whenever possible. A wooden deck is always best; treated for protection against the wet and heat, wood is durable and makes for attractive flooring.
Tie this in with some wooden beams and a thatched roof, and you have the perfect rustic outdoor room, comfortable and charming, using as many natural products as you can. Wood or cane furniture will complement your wooden floors and provide a rustic, lived-in and cosy feel.
Striking furniture
So you have your plants, wooden floors and some really cool lighting, now all you need is some furniture. With many shops selling all-weather furniture, there is no need to limit yourself when it comes to outdoor seating arrangements.
Furniture can be hardy, weather proof and comfortable, whether it’s an outdoor ottoman – yes they do exist – or four dining chairs and a table.
Fun pieces always work well in outdoor rooms, the hanging pod chair is super cool, and a great place to relax with a book, hammocks always work well and kids and adults love those 3-seater swings.
Theme your area
Go all out and turn your outdoor space into a fantasy room that transports you to another world.
Mountain lovers will love an alpine-style setting. Use rustic dark wood furnishings, wrought iron accessories like a chandelier or lamp, and plenty of throws and cushions. Light up some candles and you’re in the Alps, kind of. Views of snow-capped mountains always help, but if you don’t have that, large printed photographs of stunning Alpine scenes will do.
Tropically themed outdoor spaces are always popular, place loads of large exotic potted plants, minimal furniture and an awning or two, throw in a parrot or other exotic bird and transport yourself to the tropics.
Nautical themes always work well, especially if you live near the ocean. Shades of blue, loads of shells and surfing pics.
[YouTube Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLKRCAxZfqU]
You can do so much with an outdoor room. As long as it is comfortable, practical, aesthetically pleasing, appropriately furnished, and most importantly fun, you can pretty much do whatever you want.
Post kindly written by the Property Institute in conjunction with Outdoor Blind Designs.