OUT & ABOUT

Create a patch of paradise for enjoying alfresco eating and entertaining

Shape your outdoor space - whether big or small - into a place you can use for relaxing, dining and entertaining. You don't need to spend big bucks. It can be as simple as a leafy corner with comfy chairs for couple chill-out time, or a tinkling water feature you can DIY. Alternatively, consider going all out with a resort-style bar. The main thing is to combine furniture, flowers and features to create a dream retreat to suit your lifestyle so you'll use and love it all summer, even all year long.

1 SMALL-SPACE SOLUTION 

It may seem paradoxical but lots of features - in a mix of materials - can make your small garden look bigger. Here, a timber deck, a patch of green, raised bed, Corten steel screens and a paved area create the illusion of a multi-layered space.

2 BRIGHT SPOT

No shade? No worries! Look at your uncovered hardscaped area as the ultimate open-air dining room. Lean into terracotta-coloured paving with tonal chairs in red and orange, and dress the table like you would indoors with linen, glassware and flowers for fresh-air feasting as the afternoons cool down and into the evening.

3 FREE WHEELING

All you need to create an outdoor kitchen is a kettle barbecue and a bar cart. Customise your cart with a cutout in the top for a bowl that's your 'sink' - and use it for food prep. The great thing is you can wheel your kitchen out of the way when you're done cooking or clear the cart, fill the sink with ice and use it as a drinks trolley.

4 ROUND AND ROUND