Image from www.laredoute.co.uk – Aberti rug
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Whether you want to channel festival vibes or Moroccan chic there are now outdoor rugs made with plastics – some of them recycled – that will add a bit of extra comfort and pizzazz to a patio or decked area. La Redoute’s Alberti rug comes in two sizes and two colours and features an attractive geometric design that looks just as good outside as it does in. It’s made from polypropylene, so can take pretty much what the British summer has to throw at it, too but like most other outdoor rugs, it’s best rolled up and stashed away in the shed for the winter months. Cushions that are suitable for outside have come along way, too. Invest in designs from John Lewis and Maisons du Monde to bring your outdoor seating bang on-trend. Use fabrics and materials to link the outdoors with inside, too, creating a harmonious flow between the two spaces. Similar colours on cushions or materials for furniture will help to provide a visual, seamless link between inside and out. Create levels and layers by providing chairs but also popping a few cushions, pouffes and throws on the floor for a more relaxed Bedouin tent feel.
LIGHTING
Finally, getting the lighting right will ensure you can enjoy your outdoor space as the sun goes down. Strings of solar lights look fabulous – Lights 4 Fun – have a great range – as well as providing just the right ambience and level of illumination for parties. Citronella candles not only add to the mood, they also help to keep mozzies at bay. If your eating area is quite a distance from the kitchen then use rows of stick solar lights to light your way and create an elegant transition from house to outdoor seating and eating area.
