How To Update Your Outdoor Space

As our gardens increasingly become an invaluable extension of our lives at home, we asked three experts to share their design and style secrets…

- Jennifer Morgan

Creating a garden that serves as an outdoor room has never been so important, but how to make the best of what you have? We asked three experts – a landscape architect, a stylist and a garden centre owner – to share their knowledge…

WHAT’S TRENDING FOR GARDENS NOW?

‘Lots of people are looking to create a liveable garden – another room of their home,’ says Nigel North, owner of Middlecombe Nursery. ‘Outdoor kitchens, built-in seating, striking architectural plants and interesting features are all regular customer conversations.’ Landscape architect Victoria Wade has seen a rise in the outdoor kitchen, too: ‘People are also wanting to be more connected to nature, to make their gardens eco-friendly to attract wildlife, which is fantastic,’ she says. Stylist and author Selina Lake believes we all need an outdoor sofa: ‘somewhere that’s comfy and stylish to chill out.’

HOW DO I TAKE MY INTERIOR STYLE OUTSIDE?

‘Choose items in similar colours, materials and aesthetics,’ says Selina. ‘For example, I love a Scandi look inside and out.’ Victoria takes things one step further: ‘There are no rules to say you can’t use indoor furniture outside as long as it’s robust and you don’t mind bringing it in when it rains. I take cushions and blankets from our living room to the patio.’ If your style is more minimal, then as Nigel explains, you can use topiary, small hedges and block paving. ‘This echoes the clean lines of a modern home.’

WHAT DECORATING IDEAS WORK OUTDOORS?