Gardening Special
OUTSIDE
LET’S GO
With a spike in searches for outdoor living upgrades, experts share their tips and trend insights with Sam Wylie-Harris
fter a year of lockdowns, it’s hardly surprising we’ve been looking to enhance our outdoor living and entertaining areas. According to a survey by home design platform Houzz.co.uk, 36% of renovating homeowners now plan to upgrade their gardens, inspired by the pandemic. “We’ve seen a spike in interest for outdoor projects, with enquiries rising by 116% in January, compared to the same period of 2020,” explains Houzz editor, Amanda Pollard. “Our gardens have provided sanctuary throughout the pandemic and as restrictions begin to lift, homeowners are searching for solutions that are beautiful and functional to maximise theirs.” Here’s what’s piquing our interest… 1. THE FIFTH ROOM Gardens have grown into another room, essentially, with spaces set up for cooking, dining, relaxing and socialising. Recent photos uploaded to Houzz feature cosy garden seating areas with unexpected
36 | June 2021 | SO Magazine
furnishings. These include rugs, floor cushions and 2021’s hottest garden accessory, the hanging chair. Comfortable garden sofas, layered cushions and heaters are also helping create spaces to enjoy throughout summer, and even into the cooler months. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, Ella James (ellajames.co.uk) have a lovely selection of egg chairs available to pre-order, from £395. “We’re seeing a rise in clients who see their garden as an extension of their home, and want it to reflect their interior style. Luckily, outdoor furniture design has come a long way in recent years, with more stylish options and better weatherproof fabrics available,” says Chris Harrington of Harrington Porter, a garden designer on Houzz. “The technology for outdoor speakers and heaters has also improved, so gardens can be used further into the evening.” 2. PERGOLAS It’s set to be the year of the pergola, with searches on Houzz dramatically increasing in popularity. “If you
want to create an inviting outdoor living space, you’ll likely need shade to do it,” says Pollard. “A pergola is a relatively quick and affordable solution. These simple shade structures, which can be built and installed by a professional in a day or two, provide adequate shade for dining, lounging and other outdoor activities.” As landscape designer Patricia Tyrrell, of Living Landscapes, points out: “From framing views to creating welcome shade and supporting climbing and twining plants, pergolas can play many roles in a garden. A vertical structure not only adds another dimension to your garden, it can act as a subtle screen, particularly if you’re overlooked by neighbouring properties. With simple wire trellis attached to the uprights, or overhead, and some well-placed planting, you can create a private space away from the world.” 3. LIGHTING With a focus on outdoor socialising, households are looking for ways to extend the use of their gardens into the evening too. “Lighting is key to
