Over the last 12 months we’ve seen a massive shift in Britain – with the unpredictable weather and ever-changing lockdown rules, ensuring your outdoor space is functional and welcoming has never been more important. Now that we can invite family and friends round once again, perhaps it’s time to transform your outdoor space into an area that you can enjoy. Our experts are happy to provide guidance on easy to integrate features that will take your outside space – be it a garden, terrace or balcony – to the next level.
Why is outdoor space important?
Research shows that being outside improves your mood and reduces stress, so when things are out of our control, relaxing in your own outside space is unbeatable. Our Managing Director, David Hough, said: “Since the start of the pandemic and for the majority of people, gardens and balconies have become the only accessible outdoor space, so ensuring it maximises its potential is key. Simple, contemporary modifications can enable homeowners to create a space they love and that they want to spend time in, and are always a good investment in terms of maintaining or increasing the value of their property. Plus, showing it off always feels good.
Weather adaptability
Whilst we can’t predict the weather, what we can say is Britain’s weather is diverse, from downpour one day to scorching heat the next. Installing glass balustrades to your patio or balcony area will create a windbreak, keeping you warmer against the spring and autumn breeze, whilst still allowing natural light to shine through. A removable canopy will ensure that you can be protected from the wetter weather, but also allow you to enjoy the sun when it’s out.
A mix of green and landscaped space
For garden owners, fitting a patio or decking gives you a new area to enjoy your outside space which is much steadier for garden furniture, BBQs and other entertainment. Having both a patio and garden area provides a stylish and modern upgrade, whilst still being able to enjoy nature. For those with limited or no existing greenspace such as balcony and terrace owners, you can introduce greenery through potted plants on the floor or baskets attached to the balustrades, allowing those without the option of a garden to enjoy nature.
Accessibility for all the family
Your outdoor space can be tailored for your families needs, installing handrails to steps and level changes, and enclosing your decking with secure balustrades are practical measures to reduce the chances of tripping and causing injury. Adding lighting around your garden will also improve its accessibility for the darker days and nights. Patio and Decking areas can often become slippery when wet, and hard structures can hurt when banged into, so installing lighting to this area is recommended. With the many different styles of lighting available, these can become features of the garden within themselves – you can even have built-in lighting on your decking or raised patio area. If you don’t want built-in lights, Festoon and string lights are popular options for both balcony and garden owners, as they can be easily hung from surrounding structures.
Suitable seating areas
Sitting outdoors is the ultimate way to enjoy the fresh air, so if homeowners have the space, having a dedicated seating area brings a great focus point to a garden. Where possible, choose non-fixed outdoor seating – so it can be moved at leisure to create different spaces, and packed away when not in use for those with smaller outdoor spaces such as balconies.
