‘Bring the Indoors, Out’

June 14, 2018March 4, 2024 Lucy Burt 1 Comment discounts and offers, indoor outdoor flow, indoor outdoor living

In our last article, we introduced a new format where, in each issue, we will show you a different room design, along the lines of a Design Board we would produce for our clients. This month, we are looking at indoor-outdoor living. As I write this, we have just enjoyed the most amazing sunny bank holiday weekend, by the time you read this, it may well be raining again! Nevertheless, as we move towards the summer months, we often hanker after that feeling of extending our living space outdoors and creating a flow between the house and garden.

Whether you have bi-folds or patio doors, contemporary or traditional, opening up those rooms which face the garden can make the world of difference when the sun is shining. This design scheme shows you how to really make the most of that, helping the two spaces merge together. It could be a dining room/kitchen or other space which opens on to your garden but you can use the ideas regardless of the space in question. Instead of bringing the outdoors in, take the indoors out. Invest in items which you can use both inside and out and simply re-position them according to the weather. Make your garden as inviting as your house and take advantage of any sunny spells.

Step by step…

The best way to create a sense of space is through your flooring, lay the same or similar flooring – in terms of material and colour – in your garden and room(s) leading onto it to ensure the spaces blend together (the biggest image on design board). These Planate tiles include indoor and outdoor tiles in the range, have a matt, anti-slip finish and will give you a seamless transition (wallsandfloors.co.uk).

Add colour and comfort underfoot with an indoor-outdoor rug, tuck under your dining table during the winter months and pull outdoors when the sun shines. Pappelina have a fantastic range of patterns and colours, this mustard one (bottom left on the board) will work really well with the grey floor tiles (pappelina.com).

Lighting is key to making those summer days last as long as possible, continue your BBQ into the evening with this clever, weather-resistant Elsa outdoor floor lamp and Bulb Festoon Lights (top right and top left corners on design board) (coxandcox.co.uk).

For the furniture, instead of traditional heavy wood or cast iron styles, opt for bright and graphic items (design board – middle image on the right) which will look just as good at either end of a dining or kitchen table when not in use outdoors (Copa Garden Dining Chairs from made.com).

Finally, add in some fun and colourful accessories to inject a cheery vibe, cushions, lanterns and planters all work brilliantly for this (cushions – maisonsdumonde.com & terrazzo planters – made.com, bottom middle and left on the board).

At nest we work on a variety of projects and we charge by the hour so you can enjoy exactly the required amount of input from us. We can recommend and co-ordinate all relevant contractors and work collaboratively with you to ensure your new space is tailored to your requirements. Just get in touch for an initial chat and quote M&D Summer for 10% off initial consultation fees.
enquiries@nestinteriordesign.co.uk | 0161 414 0032 | www.nestinteriordesign.co.uk

One thought on “‘Bring the Indoors, Out’”

Marion

June 26, 2018 at 12:19 pm

Love this whole concept. Indoor-outdoor living is great. Planning to move this summer and definitely want to create an open, bright room that flows into the garden.