With the festive season just around the corner, this is the perfect time to start preparing your outdoor space for long hot days and nights spent entertaining family and friends.
Interior stylist and owner of style blog
Dot + Pop Eve Gunson shares her top tips for getting your garden ready for the party season ahead.
Take a seat
“Having comfortable outdoor furniture is a must if you spend a lot of time outdoors in the warmer months,” Ms Gunson said. “And there are so many gorgeous options for outdoor furniture in all shapes, sizes and price brackets.”
If you love to entertain, your outdoor space needs to include plenty of seating options to cater for large groups of family and friends. A large table and chairs plus another zone with extra seating provides you and your guests with a choice of places to group together or escape if the need arises.
It is important to carefully select your furniture in accordance with your entertaining style. You would not invest in a large outdoor dining table if you are not going to use it, so opt for comfortable seating arrangements that best suit your family’s needs.
You might prefer to treat your garden more like a place to relax and enjoy downtime, rather than to entertain.
“If you enjoy relaxing and reading your book, look into a modern take on the sun lounger,” Ms Gunson said.
Dress it up
No summer soiree is complete without decoration.
“Add a pop of colour and some summer fun into your outdoor space by using soft furnishings and decor items,” Ms Gunson said.
“Use outdoor cushions on your furniture, string up some festoon lighting, use statement pots and plants to add personality and if you’re up for it, you could even paint your fence, verandah or pergola for a fresh new season look.”
To take your outdoor space to the next level and make it feel like an extension of your home, why not throw in a weather-resistant rug? Opt for one that can be left out in the rain and won’t fade with the harsh summer sun.
Turn up the ambience
The easiest way to add ambience and a party atmosphere to your space is with fairy lights or string lights. Use one long strand to light up your patio area, or connect multiple strands for a dramatic atmosphere throughout the whole garden.
For something more permanent, you might want to consider a multi-function light and heater for use all year round.
“When those summer nights full of friends and drinks extend later than expected it’s great to have outdoor lighting and a heater,” Ms Gunson said.
She said the app-controlled IXL multi-function Fresco Aurora outdoor heater was a great choice. The appliance includes dimmable and mood lighting and can be suspended from a flat or gabled roof.
For a more rustic feature, the IXL Home Pit n Grill Deluxe is a fire pit which doubles as a barbecue – great for cooking in summer and warmth in winter.
Create an oasis
Now that the sun is shining it is time to get out there and start bringing your garden back to its former glory, or make it over into a lush tropical retreat.
“Start by weeding, pruning, mulching and fertilising your existing plants and they will happily spring back to life,” Ms Gunson said. “Then head down to your local nursery and pick up a few extra plants to fill in the gaps and make it feel lush.”
To go that extra mile and create a tropical oasis that will make your guests never want to leave, Ms Gunson recommends adding additional greenery in the form of pots, planters and hanging plants.
“By using moveable planting solutions you can easily bring the greenery up onto your deck, balcony or patio and change the overall feel of your space,” she said.
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