From hosting al fresco, star-lit dinners to relaxing with a book in the sunshine, our outdoor spaces can become extensions of our homes during the warmer months.
So, with summer upon us, you might be thinking about ways to help your balcony, patio, or garden, live up to its full potential.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways we can make these areas more comfortable, convenient, and visually appealing – whether by adding decorative elements, practical improvements, or thinking about the overall design.
Below are nine ways to upgrade your outdoor living space.
1. Choose an outdoor rug
Bringing indoor elements outdoors is one of the biggest design trends at the moment. Not only does it smooth the transition between interior and exterior spaces, but it can also give our gardens, patios, and balconies a homely, comfortable feel. And one of the best ways to do this is with an outdoor rug.
Outdoor rugs are just like those you might find inside. However, they’re made from easy-to-clean, weather-resistant materials – so they’ll continue to look great even after being exposed to the elements.
Best placed on hard surfaces – such as patios, decks, and balconies – outdoor rugs can offer a chance to get creative. Use statement pieces like this one from Benuta to inject colour and texture into otherwise muted spaces, or try layering up a few neutral-coloured ones for a unique patchwork effect. This article from Ideal Home has more ideas for how to use outdoor rugs.
Or, if you like the idea of having colours and patterns under your feet, but aren’t keen on a rug, you could consider painting your patio. This article from The Spruce is full of unique painted patio design inspiration.
Top tip: To help you stay safe and make sure your outdoor rug doesn’t become a nuisance, it’s worth buying rug pads to stop it from slipping. You can find a selection of these on Amazon.
2. Add a fire pit
Fire pits can be a great way to enhance your outdoor living area. Not only can they help to create a cosy ambience, but some are suitable for cooking, and the warmth they provide means you can use your space throughout the year. Research even shows sitting around a fire can make us more relaxed and sociable.
There are plenty of different types and styles of fire pits to choose from. For example, if you’re looking for a cheap and understated option, why not go for something like this simple iron-coated one from B&Q? Or, for something more elaborate, check out this one from Billy Oh, which can be used as a BBQ, fire pit, and coffee table.
Alternatively, if you fancy a DIY challenge, why not try building your own? There are plenty of tutorials available on YouTube that can take you through every step of the process.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that fire pits are only suitable for those with large, well-ventilated outdoor spaces like gardens and patios. General advice is to keep them at least 10 feet away from buildings. Head over to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website for some more fire pit safety information.
Note: Like any form of combustion, fire pits release harmful pollutants into the air, which can pose a threat to our health and the environment.
With this in mind, it’s important to only burn government-approved fuels like dry wood, which produce less smoke. You can find out more in this leaflet from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
3. Build a trellis
Trellises are another versatile way to enhance any outdoor living space. For those with smaller areas, like patios and balconies, they can add a splash of greenery while saving space. Plus, in larger gardens, trellises can bring a sense of order and privacy. Not to mention the fact they provide an opportunity to start growing climbing plants.
There are plenty of ways to incorporate trellises into your outdoor space. For example, on patios and balconies, they can act as statement walls, with vivid plants contrasting against the more neutral palette of other walls and fences. However, in larger spaces, they can serve a more practical purpose by partitioning off different areas – such as seating spaces and flower beds.
Many trellises are simple, crisscrossing panels made from wood – which you can buy from places like B&Q or even build yourself. But why not get creative and incorporate other materials and designs? For example, thin, wire trellises look great in contemporary spaces, and honeycomb-shaped ones are perfect for growing bee-friendly flowers.
4. Install a water feature
Like fire pits, water features add a tranquil aspect to our outdoor spaces – whether you prefer the tinkling trickle of a fountain or the rush and gurgle of a waterfall. Plus, features like ponds and birdbaths can attract a variety of wildlife.
You also don’t need a massive garden to install a water feature, nor do you need to spend lots of money. There are plenty of cheap, freestanding options available to buy from places like B&Q and Homebase that are perfect for smaller spaces like patios and balconies.
Plus, these options are often completely self-contained, meaning you don’t need to connect them to a water supply, and they don’t need any specialist installation. All you need to do is fill them up, plug them in, and they’re ready to go! Choose from various designs – from classical sculpture fountains to contemporary, minimalist water walls.
Of course, there are plenty more elaborate options if you have the space and/or money. Check out our article, 5 water features to add to your garden, to find out more.
5. Get creative with patio covers
Patio covers are an excellent addition to many outdoor living spaces. From a practical perspective, they can shield us from sun and rain, making our patios, terraces, and balconies more enjoyable year-round. However, they can also add structure to our spaces and provide a cosy, enclosed aspect to outdoor seating areas.
There are plenty of options available to buy when it comes to patio covers. These range from permanent terrace covers – usually made from materials like aluminium and glass – to retractable solutions, such as roof awnings, large parasols, and pop-up canopies.
However, if your goal is simply to provide some shade on sultry summer days, you could get creative and repurpose a large piece of fabric for a rustic-style canopy. Or, why not set up a pergola where climbing plants can provide a natural form of shade?
Check out this article from Ideal Home for more ideas.
6. Set up an outdoor kitchen
When we hear the words ‘outdoor kitchen’, our minds might conjure up images of massive pool-side spaces, complete with marble countertops and built-in pizza ovens. And while there are plenty of deluxe options for alfresco cooking setups, there are lots of simple, rustic ones too.
For example, take a look at this petite grilling zone spotlighted by Elle Decor, which combines a simple shelving unit, tabletop ceramic grill, and various potted plants to create a unique cooking space. Or why not go a step further and add a sink and some cabinets, like this one on the Country Living website? Popular additions also include drinks bars, wine fridges, and pizza ovens.
While lavish outdoor kitchens will probably need to be installed by professionals, if you’re after something relatively simple, you could consider building one yourself. This comprehensive guide from B&Q will show you how.
7. Think about lighting
String lights are one of the most popular choices for creating an invitingly intimate outdoor space – especially warm-coloured ones. Try hanging them over seating and dining areas, winding them around the tree trunks and branches, or threading them through trellises, fences, or balconies. Hanging pendants and lanterns are also great choices.
You can also use lighting to draw attention to some of your garden’s main features, so you and your guests can still admire them once night falls. For example, uplighting fixtures like these from Toolstation can be placed at ground level to illuminate things like trees and statues.
Alternatively, why not try combining light and water features? By shining light onto water features, you can create an ethereal glow, while submersible fixtures will give you a unique shimmering effect. You can either buy water features that already contain lights, or illuminate them yourself. This article from Creative Nightscapes has some great advice.
Lights can provide some practical benefits too. For example, they can discourage people from entering our property uninvited and illuminate steps, pathways, and areas like patios, making it easier for us to move around at night.
Note: Artificial light can disrupt wildlife in various ways – for example, by attracting them and increasing their risk of predation. With this in mind, it’s important to think about how you can make your outdoor lighting set-up as nature-friendly as possible. This guide from the RHS will take you through how you can do this.
8. Bring art outside
Like rugs, art doesn’t just belong inside. Instead, it can add colour, character, and interest to our outdoor spaces.
When it comes to smaller areas, such as terraces and balconies, why not consider space-saving mediums like prints, murals, and wall hangings? These are a great way to add a pop of colour and texture to muted walls or fences.
Alternatively, if you’ve got a bit more space to work with, you could consider adding some sculptures to your outdoor area. Whether you prefer striking modern pieces or classical statues, sculptures can serve as excellent focal points that tie your space together, and complement the natural greenery in our gardens.
But, as you’ll know, you can’t just place any piece of art outdoors. Instead, you’ll need to choose outdoor, weatherproof art that won’t become damaged. These are usually made of materials like stone, metal, wood, or plastic, and finished so they won’t fade or peel when exposed to the elements.
This article from Ideal Home has some more ideas for incorporating art into your outdoor space.
9. Choose an overall theme
If it doesn’t have one already, you could consider choosing an overall design theme for your outdoor space.
Not only can having a theme help keep all the elements of your patio, balcony, or garden perfectly balanced, but it can also narrow down your choices when selecting individual elements. Because, whether you’re selecting cushions, lighting fixtures, or water fountains, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming.
If you have a garden, popular themes include a classic English one – which usually features elements like traditional flowerbeds and ornate fountains – and a Japanese-inspired garden, an example of which is pictured above. For more ideas, check out this article from the RHS.
For smaller spaces like patios and balconies, why not take inspiration from popular interior design styles, such as rustic, Art Deco, and shabby chic? You might find our article, 9 living room design styles, helpful.
While choosing an overall theme can be handy, it’s not strictly necessary. Curating an outdoor space is a deeply personal task, and there are plenty of opportunities to express your individuality. So if you think that a theme might hinder your creativity instead of helping it, why not freestyle and see what you come up with?
Final thoughts…
As we hope this article has shown, transforming your balcony, patio, or garden doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether you add a cosy fire pit, stylish outdoor rug, or elaborate water feature, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative with your space, whatever size it is.
If you’re a little unsure where to start, it’s worth spending some time thinking about what you use your outdoor space for most (or what you’d like to use it for).
For example, if you love hosting open-air dinner parties, investing in an outdoor kitchen could be a top priority. Or, if you simply want to relax by yourself, why not add some shade or a calming water feature? With some careful thought, it’s possible to build an inviting oasis suited to any taste.
Head over to our home and garden section for more design inspiration and practical tips. Here, you’ll find articles ranging from 18 home decorating ideas to 8 plants to grow that are good for your health.
Do you have any more suggestions for how people can upgrade their outdoor living spaces? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.