SHADE & PRIVACY

Unless you live on acreage, the trade-off with spending so much time outdoors is that the neighbours might be able to see everything you’re getting up to. Screens or screening plants are a simple and also stylish solution – consider planting fast-growing bamboo or hedges in pots if you want to take them with you should you move house at some point later down the line. In the absence of shrubbery, Gil likes to add a steel or timber pergola to her outdoor spaces. “It provides shade, privacy and texture,” she says.

For sun protection, shade sails, awnings and outdoor umbrellas are good interim solutions, or consider a full or partial roof to protect against wind, rain and hail. “A covered roof is ideal for an entertaining area, particularly where there’s a barbecue or outdoor kitchen, as it can extend the use of this space to year round,” Gil suggests.