Clever lighting, seats and soft furnishings can turn your outdoor space into a space to cherish.

There are plenty of ways to turn your outdoor space into an extension of your home. Nora McElhone narrows down the best ideas to prolong the summer

Now, more than ever, we are viewing our gardens as an extension of our living space. The lines between interiors and exteriors are becoming blurred as we create beautiful outdoor rooms to enjoy when the weather is kind.

Perfect your garden now and you can spend the rest of the summer months enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Whether you have a patch of grass, a large deck or patio, a few touches can make your garden a great place to relax and entertain friends and relatives.

Think about your seating – is it time to ditch the plastic patio furniture in favour of a more sophisticated look?

If you are going to be spending a lot of time outside, you might like a beautiful sofa and armchair set or a dining set with comfortable cushions where you can sit in comfort over a glass of something special.

Alternatively, if you aren’t able to invest in something completely new, why not buy some beautiful bright cushions designed to be used outdoors for an instant update and pop of colour.

In terms of choosing a look for your outdoor space, it is really up to you.

You might like the idea of continuing the schemes you have used in your adjoining rooms. Outdoor paint in co-ordinating colours or cushions and throws that complement your indoor décor, would all work well here.

Alternatively, why not take the opportunity to do something a bit

“Prolong those laidback outdoor evenings by investing in a patio heater

different – go wild with beautiful jungle colours or a gorgeous eastern-inspired theme.

Pile on the layers of fabric and invest in a patio rug to really give the impression of an outdoor room.

Beautiful lighting will also help to create a welcoming atmosphere, while some wonderful scented plants will add to the Mediterranean feel.

Prolong those laid-back outdoor evenings by investing in a patio heater or an on-trend fire pit.

There are some stunning designs to choose from so you will be happy to embrace your new heat source as part of your overall scheme.

Of course, we don’t live actually on the Med, where rain-free days and evenings are more or less guaranteed, but you needn’t let the risk of raindrops spoil your fun.

Retreat to a welcoming summer house or have a gazebo set up to provide some shelter in case of a cloudburst.

These outdoor structures can also work well to provide shade when the sun shines and can be beautifully decorated with bunting and outdoor fairy lights to create a pretty party atmosphere.

Add textiles, lights, canopies and heat sources to keep the summer going well into the evening.