Creating the Perfect Garden for Entertaining Outside

The UK is infamous for its frequent rainfall, but when the weather is warm and dry, there's nothing quite like spending time with loved ones in your own garden. That's why having a well-designed outdoor living space is essential. Nowadays, your garden is considered to be another room of your home, just an outdoor one. So, it's important to give it the same attention and care as you would with your indoor spaces.

If you have enough space, setting up an outdoor dining area is a great way to entertain guests during the summer months. A paved area close to your kitchen is the ideal spot for a dining table, with a pergola providing a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Fragrant climbers growing over the frame, such as honeysuckle or jasmine, will add to the sensory experience. Alternatively, for a touch of the exotic, consider planting a grapevine. Large planters filled with seasonal flowers and evening-scented blooms can make the space feel more enclosed and intimate.

Adding a large outdoor dining table can create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere, perfect for al fresco dining with family and friends. Top it off with a bowl of fresh salad, olives, crusty bread, and a bottle of wine for the ultimate outdoor dining experience. And if you're a fan of cooking outdoors, investing in a barbecue or pizza oven can provide endless hours of entertainment and delicious meals.

To truly elevate your outdoor living space, consider installing an outdoor bar to serve up refreshing cocktails. Purpose-made bars can keep all your bottles tidy and easily accessible, and the hatch shuts down when not in use to protect everything from the elements. Once dinner is finished, move to a more relaxed lounge area where you can unwind with your guests.

As the sun begins to set, keep the party going with the right lighting and heating. String lighting wrapped around the pergola and between trees can create a festive atmosphere and make the garden feel inviting after dark. Uplighters in planting borders can bring out the colours of foliage, adding depth and interest to your garden. And when the temperature starts to drop, you can use a firebowl for wood-burning or a gas outdoor heater in corten steel to keep your dining and seating areas warm and comfortable. Alternatively, for a more tranquil ambiance, place large candles in the centre of a water bowl, and watch as the flickering flames reflect on the surface of the water. You can also use recycled jars, such as jam or pickle jars, and fill them with battery-powered LED lights or a simple tealight candle to create an inexpensive and effective outdoor lighting solution.

Creating an outdoor living space that's both functional and stylish is essential for any home. With the right design and thoughtful touches, you can transform your garden into a space that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come. Whether you're cooking up a storm on the barbecue, sipping cocktails at the bar, or simply relaxing under the stars, your outdoor living space can provide endless hours of enjoyment and memories.

We hope our ideas help you make the most of the warmer seasons. Enjoy!