Budget wise ways to create an outdoor room by Anouska Lancaster

1 August 2016

After a sun-drenched afternoon at the Hampton Court Flower Show earlier this month; I felt inspired and compelled to write an article about how to create an 'outdoor room'. So many of us struggle for space and can only dream of an extra room for entertaining guests or simply a sanctuary to escape from the children.

Home and Garden on Female First

Some simple additions to a basic patio or a neglected porch are all it takes to transform an ordinary or wasted space into an open-air oasis.

1. Create walls around a patio or decking area by using trellis or bamboo fencing to give a feeling of enclosure.

2. Grow climbing vines such as grape over an existing pergola to provide the illusion of a roof, and to give you protection from sun and showers.

3. Choose some outdoor sculptures to add interest and create focal points. It may be a stone Buddha on the decking to create a relaxation zone, or simply hanging wind chimes from the trees. 4. Adding decking outside the back doors at the same ground level will give a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors; making the space inside feel twice the size; and vice versa.

5. Hang mirrors from external walls to reflect light and create the illusion of windows.

6. Make a big impact in a small space with intense colour. Plant brightly coloured flowers in pots at varying heights and choose brightly coloured cushions and tableware to give your outdoor space some 'wow factor'.

7. Create a spa feel by investing in a water feature or a fountain. This will give your outdoor space a stunning focal point and the soothing sound will guarantee total relaxation.

8. If your outdoor area is covered then bring your indoor items such as furniture and rugs outside to create the feeling of 'inside-outside'. If you don't have a covered area; then invest in a gazebo or an open sided tent to create a Moroccan vibe with low-level tables and pouffes.

9. Decorate external walls with trellis and cover in brightly coloured plants to create a' real life floral wallpaper'. In addition; hang wall art or planters to decorate the walls as you would inside. 10. Candle lanterns or 'tiki torches' will add a subtle night time glow and a relaxing atmosphere. These are easy to move around and don't require any wiring or maintenance. To keep the bugs at bay; choose citronella candles as an alternative to regular candles. 11. Erect a hammock between two trees, or hang a swing from a porch to create a 'snooze zone' or to simply take time out to enjoy your favourite book.

12. Invest in a BBQ or build a pizza oven to create an additional kitchen outside. Set up an 'al fresco' dining area nearby for all the family to enjoy eating together. This will encourage you to eat outside more during the summer months and make the most of your outside space.