Having a beautifully designed garden area that is perfect for entertaining friends and family is a common goal among homeowners. In fact, the garden area can be a deciding factor for homebuyers looking for a new property. There are so many things that you can do with your garden, from turning it into a place of tranquillity and contemplation to creating a place for fun and entertainment. If you are looking for ways to turn your garden into an enjoyable and welcoming area for you and your guests, here are five tips to help you in this endeavour.
Make The Place Inviting
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First and foremost, you must make the place inviting. If the space doesn’t draw people in, then people simply aren’t going to have as nice a time as they would if the place could set the right mood among your guests. You can do this by carefully setting the area’s ambience by using the lighting, sound, and overall layout of the space. When it comes to lighting, you can use things like fairy lights which can add an almost mystical appearance to the walls and ceiling of your outdoor area once dusk sets in. Also, use some outdoor speakers to play anything from suitable music to match the occasion or even ambient soundscapes like birdsong or rainforest sounds. You could also add open-flame decorations like torches or a stunning outdoor firepit to make things even more visually appealing.
Shelter From The Elements
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Naturally, you’re going to want to shield your guests and furniture from the harsher elements. Heavy rainfall is going to ruin your party if you don’t have appropriate shelter. However, at the same time, if the roof and walls of your outdoor space are sufficient in size and coverage, this could also be a very cosy and comforting occasion, being essentially outside to enjoy the rain or a storm while also being sheltered properly. A pergola with a sturdy cover would be great here, or even some form of awning that can be connected to the exterior of your home. Of course, you should make sure that these are sloped to allow for the rain to runoff.
Consider An Outdoor Kitchen
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When entertaining guests, you might also consider ways in which you can impress them with your culinary skills. An outdoor kitchen area attached to this space can be a wonderful addition. Not only will you be able to provide some delicious food to your guests, but you’ll also be able to do so without needing to leave the fun. You could also choose some great outdoor cooking devices like this fantastic outdoor pizza oven from Ooni. You could create your own pizza-making area complete with worktops for you to make pizzas for your guests right before their eyes. You’ll also want to use a combination of sofas and armchairs, providing guests with different options for where they sit to enjoy your outdoor cooking. A sofa, especially a large corner sofa, will be perfect for those cosy nights on a warm summer evening, while a set of chairs and a nice extendable table will make for the perfect space to host an al-fresco meal.
Focus On Comfort
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If you want your outdoor space to be a success, it’s going to have to be comfortable. If people aren’t comfortable here, then they likely won’t want to stay for as long as they would otherwise. You should find ways in which you can make this area comfortable for whenever you’re going to be sitting there. This includes comfortable seating but also temperature controls too. There are many different ways you can maintain a comfortable temperature for your guests, and some of the most common include things like a central firepit, standing gas heaters, or even electric light heaters, which can be affixed to walls and beams around the area. These electric heaters can also be set on a timer and require occasional reactivation so that they don’t accidentally get left on overnight once the party finishes.
Unify The Space With The Outdoors
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You should not forget that one of the main features of these spaces is that they are outdoors, and fighting against that will detract from the overall appeal of the area. While you will likely be covering the space with things to shelter guests from the rain, you’ll still want things to feel outdoorsy, so using plenty of plants for this area will really help to remind everyone that they’re not inside. Plants can also help to improve the appeal and the comfort of an area too. Plants are very beneficial to our health, both mental and physical, and will help to make the area much more welcoming. You could also turn one of the walls of this space into a plant wall, adding climbing plants to a trellis, for example. This would essentially create a natural barrier offering privacy and comfort to your guests without them feeling as though they are indoors.
