The blending of interior and exterior spaces is one of the hottest trends in design right now. In recent years, many of us have felt inspired to spend more time outdoors, and this has led to a revolution in backyard living.
Making your outdoor space an extension of your indoors requires a properly thought-out plan. Think of it as decorating a room, with a goal of creating an indoor-outdoor flow.
The pièce de résistance in expanding your living space is a bespoke aluminium garden structure. As well as providing comfort, they are a visual link to the garden, creating a strong connection between the inside and out.
Their uber-contemporary appearance is more familiar in continental Europe but are starting to take off here in a big way. They don’t have to be attached to your home, it can also be free-standing, bringing relaxed, elegant design to your patio or garden.
Traditional conservatories can leave you freezing in winter and sweltering in summer, but this modern take on the conservatory uses the latest materials to even out the temperatures. Made of glass and aluminium, these structures ooze space and light, making the most of every ray of natural daylight.
They are also hugely customisable and be configured with bi-folding, sliding or frameless doors, glass roofs, roof-lights & lanterns, fixed or opening glazing and much more. A bioclimatic pergola is also available, with motorised louvres roof panels that open and close on demand.
The basic rule in garden design is that the more functional and luxurious you can make it, the more time you’re going to spend in it. So, when planning outdoor furniture, think about how you want to use the space.
Is it for alfresco dining, an extra living room, or lounging? If you have enough space, you can accommodate all three of those functions – a high table and chairs dining area; a hangout space with sofas, chairs, and a coffee table; and finally, an area for sunbathing equipped with chaise longues. Small gardens might not cope with all of that, so choose which activity you value the most.
Regarding the pieces there are many options – wood or metal, expansive or compact, with or without cushions. Aluminium specialists Azure are our UK-based outdoor living experts who provide access to some of Europe’s most established manufacturers. These high-end brands go above and beyond to infuse their outdoor collections with the same rich mixture of textures and nuanced colours as the indoor collections.
This creates that important sense of cohesion and seamless transition across indoor and outdoor, with the same comfort and atmosphere. The right furniture will elevate outdoor living into an art form.
Lighting is another important consideration. It will improve the night-time ambience and without it, you might not be able to find your drink after dark. Belgian company, Heatsail, produces outdoor lights that can dual function as heaters. The heat is infrared which works by heating the object, rather than the air and the planet.
Finally, to really top off your garden, this might be the hippest garden trend of all – a pizza oven from DeliVita. Okay it’s not essential, but it provides a lot of delicious fun and kids love it when the crust becomes their canvas (tried and tested and the Bonsai pool party 2021 – it went down a treat!).
These wood-fired portable ovens do something that your kitchen oven cannot. They reach the blistering-hot temperatures required to bake the perfect pizza. A perfect end to a perfect day.
We’d love to help improve your outdoor space. Drop by our showroom our contact us to book a free consultation.