SPRING MAKEOVER: OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES
After hibernating inside over the colder months, it’s time to embrace outdoor living again and focus on getting your entertainment and living spaces ready for the warmer months.
The key idea behind creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces is to ensure that there’s an easy passage between the two zones and to continue your personal style across these spaces.
So, what are the key elements to focus on in preparing an outdoor living area for spring?
REVISIT YOUR FURNITURE NEEDS
Great outdoor furniture should bring comfort, purpose and functionality to the outdoor alfresco areas of your home. Your outdoor spaces should offer the perfect balance between relaxation and entertainment. Think about your requirements and how the space needs to function - do you need seating, table, and chairs for eating or a mixture of both, and can your space accommodate your needs?
SPRUCE IT UP
Entertainment areas get high usage over the warmer months, so should have a good clean in preparation for the warmer months and become part of your regular cleaning schedule after that. Always opt for easy care pieces that can take whatever the elements throw their way, such as durable all-weather timber, rattan, cane, and fabrics. Give soft furnishings a wash or replacement as part of your spruce up. Low-cost cushions are available in stores such as Bunnings, Kmart and Target.
DOUBLE DUTY
What is the vision for this space? Apart from a place to sit and eat, what else does it need to provide you or your family, and how will you create that mood? Is it a quiet place to read a book, a workspace for the summer or a play area for the kids? Outdoor spaces can tend to be light and airy, so they often need something to define the space. An outdoor floor rug or two can bring cohesiveness to your outdoor area, and scattered plants around the area can also help create a defined space and create nooks for reading and relaxing. Selecting furniture pieces that can double as storage for cushions, kids’ bits and pieces and an ottoman can be used for additional seating if needed, or pop on a tray for extra space for food and drinks when a casual feel is required.
LIGHTING AND COLOUR
Lighting is a great way to provide ambience depending on the occasion. Additional lighting such as an outdoor festoon can be added to standard inbuilt ceiling lights to add an additional element and create layers. Many offer solar powered for easy installation. Choosing a colour palette for base pieces provides you with the opportunity to mix and match as required depending on the season, or add accents or splashes of colour to make the area pop using cushions, accent pieces and textiles