Let’s face it, it’s been a pretty tough, dark, soggy winter! So, the thought of opening up our doors and windows and enjoying some outdoorsy time seems very appealing right now!
Expanding our indoor/outdoor living spaces is a wonderful way to feel a greater connection with nature, which is not only good for our mental health, but also helps to make our homes feel lighter, brighter and more spacious too.
With this in mind, here are several ways to embrace the joys of indoor/outdoor living in your new home this spring and summer…
Let the sunshine in
We might have had our curtains and shutters closed all winter to keep the cold out, but when the sun does come out, we need to do the opposite and let it in as much as we can! Not only does natural daylight reduce the need for artificial lighting, but it can also positively affect our mood and mental health too. Similarly, letting in fresh air through open French doors and windows can improve the quality of air within your home and provide natural ventilation to remove stale air and smells. Leaving your bedroom window open each night can also improve the quality of your sleep by providing a cooler and more comfortable environment with fresh air circulation through until morning.
Create an alfresco dining space
Eating outside can provide us with a lovely experience that is relaxing and atmospheric. Whether you’re enjoying breakfast alone in the early morning hours or a sociable gathering with friends early evening, eating in a natural setting may encourage you to enjoy your food more and be more mindful of your surroundings, not to mention many more health benefits too. Setting up an alfresco dining space couldn’t be easier either. Whether you choose a natural wooden table with benches either side or a comfy outdoor sofa with a low level table, there are many ways to create an extension of your dining room outside without taking up too much space.
Go a step further with a garden kitchen!
If you really love eating outdoors and want to maximise the experience at home, then you could go a step further and create an outdoor kitchen or cooking area in your garden space. This garden kitchen could include a built-in grill, countertops, storage cabinets and even a fridge/bar area depending on how sophisticated you want to make it. This set up would allow you to prepare meals outdoors while entertaining guests or enjoying family gatherings, and can be made weatherproof with a pergola or awning installed overhead so it’s accessible all year round.
Blend the lines using colour
Blurring the boundaries between your indoor space and your outdoor space can help you to achieve a real sense of connection to nature all year long. If you have large windows or French doors leading out into a garden area, then using nature-inspired colours and natural materials in this adjacent space can help to blend the lines. Earthy greens, browns and beiges, as well as sky blues and soft whites can act as the perfect transitional shades to connect your indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Pimp up your patio
Furnishing your patio with comfortable seating, dining furniture, soft furnishings and decorative elements can help to make it an inviting and functional space for relaxing, entertaining and eating. You can enhance your space with personal items such as rocking chairs, outdoor rugs and potted plants to provide you with a sense of nostalgia and charm while enjoying the delights of the great outdoors.
Install a Water Feature
If, like many people, you find the sounds of trickling water relaxing, then incorporating a water feature into your garden space could provide you with lots of enjoyment throughout the year. A small fountain, pond, or waterfall would not only add visual appeal to your outdoor space, but it could also help to create a soothing atmosphere both outside and inside when the doors and windows are open.
Create atmosphere with mood lighting
Atmospheric lighting can make a huge difference to our experiences of different spaces both inside and outside. Installing ambient outdoor light fixtures such as wall sconces, lanterns, and fairy lights won’t just help to illuminate pathways and seating areas, but will also help to create magical ambiances for nighttime enjoyment and entertaining. Try to match up your outdoor lighting as closely as you can to what you have inside as to continue that easy transition between in and out.
We hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of your outdoor space this spring and summer and that you have been inspired by lots of ideas to enhance your indoor/outdoor living experience!
If you enjoyed reading this, then take a look at another of our recent articles to find out how to design a beautiful outdoor table setting.