Our great love of entertaining friends and family outdoors can be enhanced in creative and cost efficient ways

Metricon’s senior interior designer, Jacinta Evans, says the inclusion of outdoor feature lights a protected outdoor entertaining space is one way to lift its look and feel.

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“We all know how lighting at night can create a dreamy and peaceful ambience,’’ Ms Evans says.

“Look into ways you can use lighting to improve your outdoor area, whether it’s introducing an outdoor feature pendant over your dining space for visual impact, or introducing rows of fairy lights around pillars and beams for that mystical feeling.

“Or you can introduce ground lights, highlighting that large sculptural tree to create texture and drama for your whole back yard.

“Either way, introducing lighting into your entertaining space will surely give your friends and family an uplifting sensation.’’

The Metricon spokeswoman suggests that installing a fireplace is another way to boost your outdoor space.

“No one loves more than to curl up and get cosy for the night in front of a fireplace,’’ Ms Evans says.

“This can draw people to a central point in your outdoor area. If you can’t afford a full-size outdoor fireplace, introduce a simple dish or a bio-ethanol portable fireplace will create the same environment.’’

Hanging pots are also handy props in ensuring your outdoor area is a special place.

“Whether its seasonal planting or wonderful cascading style plants, they will truly give interest and a personal touch to any outdoor space,” Ms Evans says.

“Try introducing a touch of colour by introducing a neon pink or bright yellow hanging rope, or perhaps introduce a ceramic or concrete pot with a splash of copper or gold metallic.’’

Ms Evans further recommends that rugs can become key pieces in the outdoor room mosaic.

“Outdoor rugs are great to use to create zoning spaces for your outdoor area,’’ she says.

“If you have quite a large outdoor area, rugs can really help define your dining from your relaxation/seating areas. They are also a cost effective way to introduce pattern and freshen up an old and tired timber or paved area.’’

Ms Evans points out that the walls of an outdoor living area also can be employed to good effect. “Add impact to a large expanse of walls,’’ she says.

“Most of our outdoor entertaining spaces are surrounded by at least one or two walls of the home. Try sprucing up these walls to lift your entertaining space. Clad the wall in a rich timber to add warmth to your space, or try adding a garden wall for visual impact.

“Or for an inexpensive feature introduce rustic timber shelves, railway sleepers or old timber crate boxes to create unique visual decorative and storage solutions. Add unique pots with herbs or old collectables into these to give a personal touch to your space.’’

Finally, Ms Evans suggests that householders should create a dominant visual focal point in their garden to complement their outdoor room.

“Try adding a feature tree or garden sculpture to create a beautiful backdrop for your entertaining area which will also give you a key element to base your outdoor living area around,’’ she says.

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