QUICK FIXES
CHEAT SHEET…
■ Need somewhere to store your outdoor seat cushions? A blanket box, a storage bench or an outdoor cabinet are excellent solutions.
■ Waterproof portable Bluetooth speakers are perfect for outdoor sounds without having to worry about the weather. Try the Sonos Roam, Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Explore or JBL’S Flip 6.
■ Always plan for some shade, especially if you’re eating outdoors. Try a parasol, shade sail or awning (turn to page 148 for more ideas).
■ Add interest to a wall or fence with an outdoor mirror to reflect light and make your garden feel more spacious. such as stone, wood and water features into their outdoor areas. Not only do these create a peaceful and relaxing environment, allowing you to truly connect with nature, but they also encourage wildlife.
Water conservation projects are also booming on Pinterest. This is something we saw in our future-gazing Pinterest Predicts report at the start of the year, and one of my favourite trends. The Rainscape trend also sees people investing in interesting ways to harvest rainwater, whether that’s through the design of their garden, a rain chain to channel rainwater from their roof, or plain and simple water barrels.
MODERN LIVING IN THE WILD While it’s good to escape tech at times, you can certainly integrate it into your outdoor space. Whether that’s outdoor speakers, a Wi-fi extension or even a projector, it will allow you to enjoy your time in the garden. Lighting systems will not only extend warm evenings but also help amplify the space and make it more inviting. Use festoon lights, lanterns and spotlights to help highlight different garden areas and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
SMART DESIGN Interiors rules very much apply to the exterior, too. Use light colours, such as white or pastels, to make your space feel larger, with pops of colour from accessories or planters to add visual interest without overwhelming. Similar to lighting, outdoor mirrors help make it feel like there’s more space than meets the eye. Place them against a wall or a fence, to reflect your garden and double up the illusion of space.
BETTER TOGETHER While Pinners have also been looking to the front of our homes as an alternative to back gardens, it’s also time to celebrate the communal outdoor space.
Since the start of 2023, we’ve seen searches for ideas related to community gardens and allotments increase on Pinterest. While their function still remains focused on produce, we’re seeing people consider bringing in tables, benches and fire pits as part of their allotment redesign, so that they can share and enjoy what they grow.
Hosting outside offers a different, special dynamic, while also allowing you to keep costs down. So bring out the blankets and lanterns, because living outdoors is all year round! ■