Interior design advice
Any change to your garden, however big or small, can be transformative. We asked the experts to share their insider tips
How to take your living space outside
Over the past year, our gardens have become invaluable outdoor rooms, but it takes a little planning and design know-how to make yours really deliver. If you’re planning a garden makeover, where do you start? We asked our favourite experts…
HOW DO I CREATE THE PERFECT OUTDOOR ROOM?
‘I’m not a huge fan of the term “outdoor room”,’ says Tom Massey, director of Tom Massey Studio. ‘A garden is an outside space and should focus on planting. Gardens need to perform a range of functions for humans, but also cater for local wildlife.’ Stylist and author Selina Lake says: ‘Start big with furniture. Then add accessories, and a few pots with flowering plants that grow quite tall, like floxgloves, delphiniums or Verbena bonariensis.’ For Dani
Taylor, product and creative director at Cox & Cox, it’s about shelter and heat. ‘If you are going to spend money on an outdoor room, then it’s about using it as much as possible. You don’t need to add a permanent structure – pergolas or a sail shade look fantastic, and for evenings, consider a firepit.’
WHAT IS ZONING AND WHY IS IT A GOOD IDEA?
‘Zoning is a design trick,’ says Selina. ‘It divides a space into different areas: for example in a garden you’d have somewhere to eat, relax, entertain or sunbathe. Zones work particularly well for families as you can create a hang-out area for teenagers, a stylish sofa space for coffee mornings and a family table that’s perfect for alfresco dining.’ Tom adds: ‘All too often I see gardens that have a large paved terrace outside the house, a huge lawn and tiny borders with a few
“I love to see a garden full of plants – a cottagestyle garden just makes sing” my heart SELINA LAKE STYLIST AND AUTHOR
drab shrubs. This doesn’t offer any excitement as the whole space is revealed immediately.’ Dani loves using lighting and rugs to define a space, ‘with a few strategically placed plants,’ she says. ‘You can also use festoon lights or solar path lighters in planters to create pathways.’
HOW DO I CONNECT THE DIFFERENT AREAS?
‘Hard landscaping is a good idea for connecting areas,’ says Tom,
‘but this can be loose and informal, such as a planted gravel pathway, stepping stones or floating timber boardwalk. Linking the different spaces enhances the sense of flow. Try using a limited palette of hard materials, or drifting key plants between different areas.’ Selina adds, ‘I’m not sure they always need to connect visually – you could decide on a different planting scheme for each zone – think scented herbs for somewhere to sit and relax; wildflowers for a charming dining space or a Scandi-style seating area with all-white flowers.’
SHOULD I BREAK UP THE SPACE WITH LEVELS?
‘If you have existing level changes, it’s best to work with these rather than fight them,’ says Tom. ‘If you were going to excavate a pond, then you could use the soil to create a mound. Thinking creatively and limiting material taken off site is a good way to save money and lower the environmental impact of the build.’
WHAT’S A GOOD CHOICE FOR BOUNDARIES?
‘A mixed boundary with some planting, some screening and perhaps some features like integrated sculptural elements can add interest,’ says Tom.
HOW CAN I USE PAINT CLEVERLY OUTSIDE?
‘Painting an existing fence black makes it recede and can make the space feel bigger,’ says Tom. ‘Planting is also offset by the dark backdrop.’ Selina loves using paint outside for a mini makeover: ‘Exterior paints and wood stains are great for revamping tired furniture – try painting it black for a Scandi feel. Painting a wall white is a great way of reflecting light, but I’d never paint an old, weathered wall – that would be a shame.’
“Your garden should be an extension of your home and style. Don’t compromise on garden furniture or accessories that inside” you would never have
DANI TAYLOR, PRODUCT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT COX & COX
PERGOLAS ARE HAVING A MOMENT… SHOULD I INCORPORATE ONE?
‘Always ask “do I need it”,’ says Tom. ‘In a shady garden, one will just add more shade, but on a sunny terrace, a pergola can make the space usable.’
WHAT ABOUT CREATING AN OUTDOOR DINING AREA?
‘Start with location,’ says Tom. ‘Ask yourself if you want morning or evening sun? What about proximity to the house?’ Selina says, ‘The very nature of eating alfresco evokes an informal mood – I’d always choose a lovely spot over a practical decision. I have a mini meadow area near the bottom of my garden, and I happily carry all the tableware as it’s such a charming spot.’
ANY TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE THE GARDEN LOOK GOOD AFTER DARK?
‘Festoon lights provide an easy and inexpensive way of adding magic to any outdoor space,’ says Dani, ‘while solar stake lights or path markers will light your garden without plugs or wires.’ Tom adds, ‘The most simple and effective thing to do is to uplight trees – this looks dramatic and gives an ambient level of light. Too much lighting, though, and your garden can feel tacky and overblown.’
WHAT’S ON TREND WHEN IT COMES TO FURNITURE?
‘I think furniture that creates a comfy setting will be our go-to,’ says Selina, who’s drawn to natural materials, such as wood, bamboo and rattan. ‘All-in-one solutions, like a corner set with a built-in firepit, provide a real luxe feel and are super practical,’ says Dani.
WHAT FURNITURE MATERIALS ARE BEST?
‘If you are looking for wood, then acacia is hard wearing,’ says Dani. ‘For a metal option, choose aluminium as it’s light and doesn’t rust. Most cushions are showerproof
“If you want low maintenance, choose timber that will fade naturally to a nice silver or corten steel that rusts to brown” a deep dark TOM MASSEY, DIRECTOR OF TOM MASSEY STUDIO
– but bring them in over the wetter months and cover furniture with a breathable outdoor cover.’
HOW DO I MAKE AN OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM FEEL COSY AND INVITING?
‘It’s about layering and coordinating,’ says Dani. ‘Keep furniture neutral and add colour and personality with things that are easily changeable, such as paint, textiles and lighting. Think about where you’ll store everything when the weather turns, with sheepskins and cushions that work inside as well as out.’
HOW DO I GIVE MY GARDEN A FOCAL POINT?
‘Use a side table to add interest and create displays with planters,’ says Selina. ‘I love a vintage metal folding table, which can be moved to a different spot each season.’ Tom loves a tree; ‘Look for one with multi-stem form and seasonality, such as hawthorn or crab apple.’
ARE THERE ANY OTHER INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS I CAN USE OUTSIDE TOO?
‘As a flower fan, I love to see vases and buckets filled with freshly-cut flowers,’ says Selina. ‘They instantly jolly up a space.’ Dani suggests a statement piece of furniture, ‘like a hanging chair positioned at the end of the garden to give you something to draw the eye.’