Enjoy some feature comforts
It’s time to give your garden a cosy makeover, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
HOW a garden is used rather depends on its owner’s lifestyle. For some, a children’s playground or safe space for pets to stretch their legs may be top of the agenda while others may just prefer a natural environment that provides room and board for wildlife.
Whatever the function and style of your garden, create a comfortable seating area that serves as an extension to your indoor living space and provides a safe haven to relax in.
If you can push the boat out, invest in a comfy outdoor sofa or lounger and pair it with a shade umbrella for those hot summer days when all you want to do is put your feet up and snooze. Wooden or metal chairs can be made infinitely more comfortable by simply adding padded cushions.
Ideally, find space for more than one place to chill, because if a patio is bright and sunny at breakfast time, come early evening, it’s likely to be in full shade.
Make your garden glow at night-time with lights and lanterns, as these will add a whole new dimension of magical beauty to the exterior.
Solar lights are a great alternative to mains-powered outdoor lighting. They are also easy to install and are environmentally friendly with no running costs.
When the sun goes down, an outdoor heater can extend the amount of time you are able to spend in the garden because balmy nights in the UK cannot be relied on.
They come in all shapes and sizes, from fire pits to Mexican-style chimeneas so pick a model that will fit the space that’s available.the Rimini Mosaic Square Fire Pit from La Hacienda is one of the larger heaters and radiates warmth over a wide area. It comes with a mesh lid for extra safety and costs £129 in store from Dobbies Garden Centres.