When the summer comes to an end, it’s common for us to go into hibernation mode and start spending all of our time indoors. However, this doesn’t need to be the case if you create an outside living space that’s usable throughout the summer and into the winter. The question is, how can you create a cosy outdoor living room that’s usable all year round? The key to success is making your outdoor living space an extension of your indoor living space. The following ideas will help you get started:
Use Furniture That’s Suitable For Both Indoors & Outdoors
In a guide that’s all about how to create an ‘outdoor’ living room, this point may seem a little counterintuitive. However, you want the space to be just as cosy and inviting as your indoor living space. That’s why it’s important to choose furniture that you would be just as happy to place inside your home. Our rattan furniture is the perfect choice for this. Finished with a timeless rattan weave and complete with deep filled cushions, our rattan furniture is often used in conservatories, and is the perfect choice if you’re looking to extend your outdoor living space into the garden. For ultimate relaxation, why not add a garden daybed to your outdoor living room? Furnish with plenty of soft cushions and throws, and you’ve created the ideal set-up for a blissful afternoon snooze.
Create Warmth With A Firepit Or Heaters
The cold is one of the main obstacles that prevents us from spending time in our gardens during the autumn and winter. That’s why a crucial step in how to create an outdoor living room is adding a heat source. If you have the space to accommodate it, a fire pit table or stand alone fire pit is a great way to add a sense of spectacle to your outdoor living room, whilst also keeping you warm all year long. If outside space is more limited, there are plenty of outdoor heating options that you can use to create an inviting, and cosy atmosphere. The Kettler copper patio lantern or Kettler universal patio lantern are both practical but stylish options for more compact patio spaces.
Set The Scene With Lighting
Ambience is everything when it comes to creating an outdoor living room that you’ll actually want to sit in past the summer. As cliche as it might seem, you really can’t go wrong with fairy lights. These look great when hung overhead, or when wound around surrounding fencing, decking or a pergola. Wall lights are another great option for bringing a warm atmosphere to your garden or patio area. Antique wall lanterns are a great choice if you’re hoping to create a more rustic vibe, whilst free standing outdoor lights are a quick and flexible fix, that you can move around easily. If you include a fire pit, this will provide additional lighting and warmth of course.
Arrange Overhead Cover
Unfortunately, rain is a common characteristic of the winter season, and, if you live in the UK, it’s also part of the summer. Arranging overhead cover for your outdoor living room is important for providing protection from the elements, but also for creating a more cosy atmosphere. In essence, giving your outdoor living room a ‘roof’ will make it feel more like an actual ‘room’, rather than just a glamorised seating area in your back garden. Setting up a pergola is the easiest way to achieve this. The Hartman Roma pergola with canopy and shade curtain provides extra privacy, with the option to open up the area by adjusting the shade curtain – this means you can make the most of the sun when it’s out, or stay sheltered from the rain! The Kettler Parasol with an in-built speaker and LED lighting is another fantastic option for providing coverage, lighting and tunes in your outdoor living room!
Finish With Soft Furnishings
You wouldn’t want to sit in the front room of your house without comfy cushions, blankets and throws and so you certainly won’t want to sit outside without these essential additions. Soft furnishings are simply a must for making an outdoor living room feel inviting and homely. Not to mention, a cosy throw will provide you and your guests with that extra bit of warmth, so you can enjoy long evenings under the stars in all seasons. Soft furnishings like cushions and rugs are also important for adding colour and another visual aspect to the space. Bramblecrest outdoor cushions are available in a range of colours and patterns that are perfect for adding a pop of colour to your outdoor spaces. Plus, they come with the added benefit of having covers that are designed for outdoor use and are easily removable to wash.
For more inspiration on how to create the perfect outdoor living room, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at IOL.
