Create the perfect outdoor space for summer

With nicer weather on the way, now’s the time to put down roots and get your outdoor space ready for entertaining friends and family.

Whether you have a huge garden or a cosy balcony, here are some top tips to create your very own al fresco haven...

Clear away weeds and junk

Spring gardens are ready for a tidy up so pull up any weeds, clear away dead growth and leaves, and top up beds with a new layer of compost. Get busy recycling junk, cleaning pots and planters, and jet washing flags, concrete and decking. The lawn mowing season starts here.

Introduce plants and flowers

Once it’s warmer, you can start to plant seeds and flowers – choose varieties that will ensure a staggered display of colour, maybe incorporating this year’s trend for pastels mixed with fire tones. In smaller areas, use staggered pots and wall planters to make the most of available space.

Create an inviting space

Your outdoor space is yours to enjoy so fill it with sights, sounds and aromas that make it a sensory retreat. Think fairy lights and twinkling lanterns, trickling water features, gorgeous-smelling herbs and flowers, and a roaring fire pit (or compact heater) to stay snug once the sun’s gone down.

Make your space work harder

Garden zoning allows you to create a multi-functional outdoor space - with everything from playrooms to zen areas – that the whole family can enjoy. For a ‘fifth room’ feel for balconies - awnings and bamboo plants provide all-important privacy while mirrors create the illusion of space.

Opt for natural materials

Creating a seamless indoor-outdoor feel is still big for 2022 but when it comes to patterns and materials, popular choices include ceramics, coloured glass, practical plastics, textiles, raffia and granite. It’s all about materials that can be natural, artisan and practical at the same time.

Go organic

Gardening organically includes nurturing soil health, encouraging biodiversity, using resources such as water responsibly and avoiding the use of chemicals. Even if you only adopt a few of these organic principles, it can make a big change to the heath and sustainability of your garden – not just this summer, but all year round!

Entertain in style

From pretty picnic and tableware to barbecues and pizza ovens, there’s no shortage of outdoor dining accessories to entertain your guests in style. For a real showstopper, why not invest in a home bar, a hot tub or your very own home cinema? Just bear in mind your guests might not want to leave…

If you’re thinking of moving, our stylish and high-quality new homes offer all the space and privacy you could need, inside and out.

Thoughtfully designed for flexible living and perfect for entertaining friends and family, our homes are the ideal place for putting down roots. And moving now means you’ll be settled in time for summer.

Why not take a closer look?