The outdoor checklist
There are few things that bring as much joy as the shapes, textures and colours of nature. And if you are lucky enough to have some outdoor space to call your own, you’ll know just how valuable a garden has been since we’ve all been spending more time at home.
Now, it can be hard to know where to start when updating your outdoor space - it’s easy to get bogged down by the choice of fences or planters and be drawn in by unrealistically staged Pinterest shots. We’ve created a checklist of simple considerations that cut past the aesthetics, allowing you to get to the heart of what will make your outdoor space work.
At the end of the day, we believe your garden should be treated in much the same way as your interior spaces. When you look at your outdoor space as just another room for living in, it opens up a world of possibilities.
Chairs that invite relaxation, tables perfect for gatherings and portable lighting to extend your evenings — our range of outdoor furniture and accessories lets you get closer to nature and extend your living space with ease. Create the garden you deserve with the help of the Nest outdoor checklist.
Create an ambience
To fully relish summer evenings spent outdoors, keep the atmosphere suitably illuminated. Look for outdoor floor lamps to create a true extension of your living space, or handy wall mounted lights for a more subtle lighting solution.
But perhaps the most versatile kind of garden lighting is the portable kind, rechargeable, weatherproof table lamps that can be placed both indoors and out. Styles such as the Audo Copenhagen Carrie, Marset Follow Me or the &Tradition Lucca are all battery-operated table lamps – rechargeable with a USB cable. Giving off an almost candle-like light, these lamps are perfect for introducing ambience to all kinds of outdoor situations, whether in your garden or out for a picnic - we love the flexibility!
Invest in textiles for comfort and warmth
Make your outside space a true extension of your home by accessorising it with textiles such as rugs, blankets and cushions.
Garden textiles make such a difference to the feel of your outdoor space, introducing a softness which isn’t often found in hard paved surfaces and garden boundaries. Garden rugs can help to define your outdoor living area, creating a centre-point for your furniture to gather around. Brands such as nanimarquina and Ferm Living have an excellent collection of outdoor rug styles to suit all kinds of budget.
A place to lounge or a place to eat?
Forget about all the practical stuff for a moment and just think about how you use your garden. Just like inside your home, an outdoor dining table and an outdoor lounge chair are very different things. If you’re a bookworm, who spends time in the garden escaping to another world, more relaxed furniture such as garden lounge chairs and rugs might be suitable for you.
Or if having your friends and family round for dinner is important to you, it’s probably worth investing in a large outdoor dining table. But if outdoor dining is your thing, it’s probably worth keeping it close to the house - no one wants to be lugging plates and bowls all the way down to the bottom of the garden. Take a moment to consider what you want from your outdoor space before investing – cleverly choosing garden furniture that suits your lifestyle will help to create an outdoor space that has longevity.
Think sustainable materials
When you choose furniture for your garden, you want to know it will last. Powder-coated steel finishes like on the Hay Palissade collection are a great hardy weatherproof finish.
Alternatively, wood such as teak is a great option, requiring little care and turning a beautiful silvery grey after being exposed to the elements. The majority of Skagerak’s designs use teak and they recommend cleaning every year to prevent algae growth and keep it looking at its best. With a little bit of love, wooden furniture can last a lifetime.
It’s also worth considering brands like Mater, who are using recycled plastic in their outdoor furniture collections. The Ocean Collection makes use of old fishing nets to create a beautiful range of tables and chairs that are weatherproof and sustainable.
Don’t forget storage
There’s nothing more irritating than having your spare room or office overtaken by garden accessories in the colder months - so why not invest in some weatherproof outdoor storage which can hide away the clutter for you?
Whether you want a place to store bowls, plates and charcoal for your outdoor kitchen, or fancy creating an unusual feature with a collection of potted plants - the outdoor shelving system from String is the perfect outdoor storage solution. Made in robust galvanised steel, this timeless design will withstand the elements with ease.
Thinking about redesigning your own outdoor space? Shop our curated selection of products below and take a look at our Pinterest board for more ideas.
