This blog post was originally featured and printed in the Property Section of the Sunday Business Post on 1st of June 2020.

When renovating our homes, whether it is re-configuring our existing space or with the addition of a new extension, we are all eager to maximise natural light and provide welcome views of our gardens. This connection between our homes and  gardens is often referred to as “bringing the outside in.”

Creating the perfect balance

Over the past few months our homes due to Covid-19 have ultimately become our safe havens. However, they are operating at full capacity, being pushed to the limits in terms of function, space, and storage. With little warning, our homes needed to accommodate home schooling, extra-curricular activities, and our work office(s). To add to the pressure, many homes have seen the return of adult children.

How do we go about reducing this pressure and creating a balance between our home and working life? We now need to focus on how we can make our homes and gardens work better for us at this difficult time to allow us to relax and unwind with our family and friends safely.

We find ourselves in these unprecedented times, with such a blurred and uncertain vision of what the future might hold. As we know, one of the certain things in life is change and there is no doubt our lives are going to alter greatly as a result of this pandemic.

With possible restrictions predicted over the coming months, gathering will be curtailed and our lifestyle and social lives will continue to be drastically disrupted if not halted altogether.

Now more than ever, for the benefit of our mental health, we need to try and keep up-beat and positive – so a bit of creativity may be called for.

“EAT, DRINK, SOCIALISE AND BE SAFE”

Getting those creative juices flowing

Recently, on hearing the tail end of T.V interview of a couple in the UK, when they were asked about how they were coping with the lockdown situation, something they mentioned struck a chord. They talked about how they were really missing going out for their weekly date night, for a relaxing meal or for a cosy drink in their local restaurant or pub.

However, they said that they came up with the perfect solution!

They had room in their home which they rarely used, so they set this up with a table and chairs and with a bit of effort made it resemble and feel like a restaurant. In the safety and comfort of their own home, this is where they now frequent for their date night. Ordering a take-out from their favourite local restaurant and enjoying a pleasant night in this normally rarely used space.

Garden home comforts

Not all homeowners are afforded a spare room to do something similar, but all is not lost!

Do you have a garage or a shed that you could convert, or might you have the space to build an extra living space at the rear of your garden?

With social distancing measures not going anywhere soon, we need to think of how we can experience a social life but while safely keeping our distance.

Our garages and garden spaces allow us to do just that and may be the key to us maintaining and enjoying our social lives for the foreseeable future.

With these spaces, we can let our creative juices flow and create a social hub for our family and friends (small gatherings).

Somewhere comfortable, cosy and appealing to relax and chill out, just as we do inside our homes but now bringing the inside out.

Converting your garage space into much needed living space that you can retreat to and feel like you are getting away from the hustle and bustle of your busy home, could be your saving grace.

If you can allow for the rear of the garage space to fully open into the garden with a sliding door or bi-fold doors, additional seating can be easily arranged outside. A pergola or gazebo canopy above this space will provide the perfect shelter if the weather is not on side.

While you can provide ample heating within the converted garage space, electric or gas heaters can be seamlessly installed in the outside space to provide comfort.

Al Fresco Dining

Another option is to transform an existing shed into a trendy pub like environment (or restaurant if you prefer). You can take this a far as you want in terms of style and layout and have a bit of fun with it.

If you have available space in your garden, you could consider building a new garden room from scratch and create your ideal social space exactly the way you want it! If you can fully open a large section of this room into your garden, you can then create the perfect al fresco dining area for friends and family.

With a little bit of imagination and inspiration you can bring the inside out. By simply extending your indoor styling outside you can make your garden a space you can safely spend time with your family and friends. It is all about setting the ambience and creating a relaxing mood to unwind.

Seven top tips to bring the inside out:

1.    Light bulb moment

Get creative with lighting at various levels as you would inside your home. This could be low level lighting between your plants, lanterns or fairly lights hanging from trees or various sized candles.

2.    Mirror, mirror on the garden wall

Include garden mirrors as you would in you home, these will have the effect of bouncing light around and add immediate interest.

3.    Fun for all

Bunting will not only add a bit of fun to the space but some welcome bursts of colour.

4.    Safely seated

Think about a new patio or decking with ample social distanced seating. Old wooden pallets can be used to make a large L-shaped sofa with cushions simply placed on top or the use of large outdoor been bags.

5.    Outdoor style

Outdoor rugs are readily available online and will help style this outdoor space. Colourful textured cushions and throws will add a pop of colour and a cosy vibe to this space.

6.    Cosy evenings

Snuggy warm throws and blankets are greatl, but a firepit will create a beautiful ambience and warmth for those chilly evenings - you won’t want to leave.

7.    Support local

If planning a barbeque, remember to support your local butcher of if barbeques are not your thing, support your local restaurants at this difficult time by ordering an online delivery – of course, not forgetting your desert!

Let’s start a coversation about your garden, get in touch via our contact page.