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The Room Outside - An elegant example
The Room Outside
This is the time of year when gardens come into their own and get the most use. Hopefully you will now be able to use your terrace or deck almost every day – so it really is an extra room.
The following points might be helpful.
When planning a terrace, I always recommend being as generous as possible with space. You would be surprised by how much room you need for a table and chairs, let along sun loungers. You need to allow at least 50cm behind each chair to give enough room to manoeuvre. Also give some thought as to how many people you might need to accommodate and what they will be doing.
The second consideration is some form of shelter from the elements – sun, rain and wind. Canopies, umbrellas and shade sails can all increase the amount of time you can spend outside. If you have a weather proof shelter this will enable you to leave furniture and cushions outside all the time without having to worry about them getting wet.
Outdoor kitchens are another very popular and useful feature. The equipment exists to be able to have a fully functional kitchen complete with fridges and dishwashers if you are so inclined. Decide what you like to cook and buy accordingly – this might include pizza ovens, charcoal grill, a rotisserie or a gas fired barbecue. These are all quite bulky items and look best if they are built in. Fire pits are also extremely attractive and sociable and useful both for warmth and cooking.
It is also a really good ideal to light your ‘room’. You can even get outdoor chandeliers for a bit of extra glamour. A simple rule is to use subtle low voltage lighting around the edges of your space and not to floodlight it like a supermarket car park. You can then add lanterns, fairy lights and candles for additional atmosphere.
Whilst you are furnishing your room you could also add the ultimate finishing touch of an outdoor carpet. These come in an enormous range of materials and colours and are extremely durable and completely weatherproof.
Finally, to create a seamless flow between inside and outside, try to keep the style and colour schemes similar so that you are gently led from one room to the other.
For more information contact colette@charsleydesign.com
t: 01803 722449. m: 07774 827799.
Follow me on Twitter @ColetteCharsley
First published By The Dart July 2014
