Your garden can be so much more than just a space occupied by a flower bed or two, it’s time to start amping up your outdoor space and creating a social haven! To help you get visitor ready, we’ve pulled together our top garden design ideas to create a space you’ll actually use.
Did you know we help can help with outside spaces too!? Get started by booking a free, no pressure call with one of our expert designers:
1. Think function before form
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
It’s tempting to start designing your garden by thinking about how you want it to look, the Pinterest boards, the colour palettes, the “wow” moments. But in reality, the outdoor spaces that work best are the ones designed around how they’ll actually be used.
When designing Jasmine’s Spanish villa on Jasmine Harman’s Renovation in the Sun, the outdoor areas weren’t just there to look beautiful, they had to handle real life. We’re talking kids running in and out, guests coming over, and everything in between. So instead of designing something overly styled, our designers focused on durability and flexibility, while still delivering that relaxed, Mediterranean feel Jasmine loved.
To make sure your outdoor space can handle real life, choose materials that are easy to clean and won’t wear quickly. When it comes to furniture, leave enough room in your layout so people can move around comfortably, especially when you’ve got guests over. Modular seating is a great option here, as you can easily reconfigure it depending on how you’re using the space.
It’s also worth thinking about furniture that can do more than one job. Side tables that double as extra seating, or foldable chairs you can tuck away when not in use, help keep the space flexible without feeling cluttered. Once that works, you can layer in cushions, lighting and planting to bring the space together.
2. Bring the inside out
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
One of the most overused phrases in the biz: ‘Bring the outside in’, is now being flipped on its head. With our gardens taking centre stage for our social lives, we’re now all looking at how we can take inside comforts out.
Outdoor rugs are an absolute must have for bringing homely comforts to your garden. Not only do they instantly add a feeling of warmth but they’re also British weatherproof and great for hiding unsightly garden paving.
Layer on comfy bean bags, cushions and blankets to create a truly comfortable space for entertaining your guests. Use similar colour palettes and patterns on your outdoor soft furnishing as the inside to make it a true extension of your home. This continuity creates a flow through the house when you are hosting, and also a more cosy atmosphere!
Don’t forget about storage for all your outdoor cushions and throws to protect them from the unpredictable British weather. Bench storage works wonders for this and provides extra seating for your guests too.
3. Host a movie night
Why go to a crowded cinema when you can have it at home?! Outdoor projectors have become much more affordable and the technology has come on leaps and bounds making them suitable for casual back garden cinemas.
You don’t even need a fancy, expensive screen – just a clear white wall where you can position a projector against will do the trick.
Just add in cosy blankets, fairy lights and popcorn then you’re open for business!
We can help you create the ultimate entertaining space for your family and friends. Book a room design from just £495!
4. Create different zones to maximise your outdoor space
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
The principle of zoning, which is so key to interiors, can also be applied to the outside too. Create different spaces that serve separate functions to get the most from your garden or terrace.
Your garden can be so much more than a patch of grass! Clever zoning can make your garden work harder and provide you with a dedicated kids area, a private reading nook, and also a sociable section to entertain guests, for just some examples.
In the same way we would use furniture or screens, large planters can work wonders to define different areas. Tall grasses are very effective at softly screening off areas while allowing light to still filter through. Bamboo can be wonderful for this too, but make sure you don’t get the fast-growing one, as it will take over your garden (speaking from experience here!). Alternatively, keep them contained in large pots.
Another way to define a zone is to hoist a sail! We fell in love with these recently because they are so versatile and provide a nice shady spot in your garden when the sun gets a bit too intense.
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
A great example of zoning done well is Jasmine Harman’s outdoor space, particularly her roof terrace. Here, our designers created clearly defined areas without needing lots of space, using a rug to zone off the loungers, a pergola and pendant lighting to anchor the seating area, and planting to add texture and subtly break up the layout.
Rather than trying to make one space do everything, each zone had a clear purpose, which made the whole area feel more organised and much easier to use.
5. Dine and cook alfresco!
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Outdoor kitchens are all the rage, and it’s unlikely this trend will slow down. After all, there’s nothing worse than being stuck inside slaving away over the stove while all your guests are having fun outside!
You can create a seamless connection with your indoor and outdoor kitchen by installing similar-styled cabinets along one wall:
But don’t worry if you don’t have a small fortune to install an all-singing, all-dancing outdoor kitchen – we’ve seen some fantastic DIY projects that are just as effective and arguably way more unique.
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Our CEO, Laura, created the outdoor kitchen of her dreams, complete with prep space, gas BBQ and even a fancy ceramic egg smoker!
She even cleverly fitted in a bench seat so her girls can keep her company while she cooks. It also doubles up as concealed storage for outdoor cushions and cooking equipment over the winter months.
Nearby is the outdoor dining space, which has enough space to sit the entire neighbourhood, should they be so inclined!
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Despite mosquitoes and the occasional strong breeze blowing away your napkins, eating outside is definitely one of our favourite things about summer. Continue the decor of your inside kitchen to your outdoor dining set, for a super consistent look.
Inspired to transform your outdoor space? Book a free call to learn about how one of our designers could help:
6. Make your garden your extension
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Bi-fold, sliding doors or even just a wall of windows are a brilliant way to connect the interior and exterior. Large glazed walls make your garden an extension of your home, rather than a separate entity. This integration makes your home feel larger, brighter and also makes entertaining on those summer nights so much easier.
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
When working on Jasmine Harman’s home, creating that seamless indoor–outdoor flow was a big priority. Our designers didn’t treat the garden as a separate space, but as a natural continuation of the home, carrying through colours, materials and textures like warm neutrals, soft greens and natural finishes, so everything felt effortlessly connected.
The layout played a big role too. Key indoor spaces flow straight out into the garden, making it easy to move between the two without it ever feeling like a transition – more like one space that just happens to have a roof… and then doesn’t.
That’s really the goal: a garden that doesn’t feel like “outside,” but like an extra room you just happen to enjoy in the fresh air.
Our professional designers can make your outdoor space feel just like home. Book a room design online today:
7. Disguise & lift unsightly with planters
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For those of you constantly troubled by a scruffy neighbour’s fence or an oppressive concrete wall obstructing your garden vista, then you have a wonderful opportunity to create a real talking point (in a good way!)
Tall planters in distinctive pots can create a great vocal point and also break down the divide between your interior and exterior. These tall plants can block out any unsightly views and blend into the green of your garden perfectly.
8. …or hang a mirror
An even quicker option is installing a mirror. It will not only hide the offending wall but it will also make your garden space feel deceptively larger.
A serious word of caution, though – be careful where you position the mirror, as it could start a fire if it’s in direct sunlight.
Want help creating your own dream outdoor space? Book a free call to learn about how one of our designers could help:
9. Cocktail hour
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Speaking of cocktails, no self-respecting garden entertaining space would be complete without some kind of bar so we’d be remiss not to give this a whole section of its own!
If you have a kitchen window looking out to your garden patio, then this is the perfect place to open your home cocktail bar for business! Simply open up the window wide and pop a couple of barstools there, and you’ll quickly find your guests gravitate towards it.
Drinks trolleys also work incredibly well and can be wheeled in or out when needed and to anywhere in your garden.
10. Open all hours
When the sun goes down, lighting is also a crucial ingredient to creating a sociable outdoor space where we can keep the long overdue conversations with our loved ones flowing into the night.
Fairy lights and festoon lighting add instant magic, and spotlights create drama, especially when positioned within planters or against a feature wall.
So there you have it – our guide to designing a garden you’ll actually want to use. We’ll look out for our invite in the mail!
Get your outdoor space ready for your next social occasion by booking a FREE call with one of our expert designers.
> How do you zone a garden?
Zoning a garden involves dividing your space into clearly defined areas based on how you want to use it. This can be achieved through furniture placement, outdoor rugs, pergolas, lighting, or planters. For example, you might create a dining area, a lounging space, and a quieter corner for relaxing. Even in smaller gardens, subtle zoning helps make the space feel more organised, functional and easier to use.
> What is the best layout for a small garden?
The best layouts for small gardens are simple and well-structured. Avoid overcrowding the space and instead focus on a few clearly defined zones. Multi-functional furniture, such as benches with storage or foldable seating, can help maximise space. Keeping the design cohesive with a limited colour palette will also make the garden feel larger and more considered.
> What outdoor furniture is best for everyday use?
Outdoor furniture should be durable, weather-resistant and easy to maintain. Materials like treated wood, metal, or all-weather rattan work well, along with cushions designed for outdoor use. Modular sofas are particularly useful as they can be rearranged depending on the occasion, while foldable or stackable pieces provide flexibility without taking up too much space.
> Can an interior designer help with outdoor spaces?
Yes, our interior designers can bring valuable expertise to terraces and patios, particularly when it comes to layout, zoning and creating a cohesive look. They can help you avoid costly mistakes, make better use of your space, and ensure the design works for your lifestyle as well as looking fabulous.
