Entertaining Garden Design Ideas For Outdoor Living Spaces
Your garden can be so much more than just an outdoor space with the right garden design and features. Many people have transformed their gardens into an extension of the home, providing more space for hosting and entertainment throughout the year.
Whether you need to expand your living space, want to create an entertainment space, or are simply looking for inspiration, entertaining garden design can be the solution. As a leading landscaping company, 4D Garden Design has witnessed first-hand the benefits that can come from entertaining garden design, and wants to share this with you.
In this post, we are recommending some of the best entertaining garden design ideas to bring your outdoor space to life and expand your home, so it is ready for every upcoming event.
What Is Entertaining Garden Design?
Entertaining garden design is centred on creating a space suitable for entertaining, hosting, and events. Whether you are planning on hosting a large gathering, major celebration or simply want to enjoy more time with loved ones, entertaining garden design creates the perfect setting.
By creating a garden that is designed for leisure, such as entertainment and dining, you can enjoy more social events from the comfort of your own home. Entertaining garden design can be a great way to make the most out of your garden and expand your living space by transforming the garden into another room in the home.
To create an entertainment space in your garden, the design needs to focus on comfort, functionality and visual appeal.
How To Build An Entertaining Garden: A Step-By-Step Guide
To implement an entertaining garden design, no matter what kind of landscape you are working with, follow these steps:
1) Plan Your Space
At 4D Garden Design, we appreciate that every garden is unique, which is why we begin all projects with a site consultation and survey. This is an opportunity to learn more about the landscape we are working with, as well as our client’s desires for it.
To ensure that your entertaining garden design renovation goes smoothly, you first need to have a clear understanding of your goals. You need to know what you want to do during this project and what kind of garden you desire to create.
Entertaining garden design looks different for everyone, and will only be successfully implemented if it aligns with your lifestyle. This is why you need to first consider what you want to use your garden for – are you looking to host family barbecues and kid-friendly events, or are you seeking something more laid back and mature?
Whatever kind of lifestyle you lead, use your regular social events to inform this garden design process. The kind of social occasions you enjoy attending and hosting, whether this is dining, parties or relaxed get-togethers, can inform the kind of entertaining garden design that best aligns with you.
Once you have the theme for your garden design project, it will be easier to implement entertaining garden design and ensure your outdoor space is a beneficial addition to your home.
2) Setting The Scene With Outdoor Surfaces
As the foundation of your entertaining garden design, you need to choose suitable hardscaping installations. Hardscaping should be solid, stable and weather-resistant to ensure your entertaining garden can be used throughout the years.
In most cases, there are two main choices for this:
- Decking: Either traditional timber or composite, decking is a great way to level out uneven terrains, add height to the garden, or separate the landscape into unique zones. With the right decoration and furniture, decking can become an al-fresco dining area or a relaxing seating space.
- Paving and Patios: Create patios of varying sizes using paving such as porcelain, natural stone or block paving. Paving should complement your property and provide a solid, lasting surface for all outdoor entertainment, whether this is parties, barbecues, or simply unwinding in a comfortable chair.
For larger landscapes, a combination of decking and paving can be used for separate entertainment zones. Zoning is an effective way to organise outdoor spaces, and can help maintain the flow of a multi-functional garden.
3) Functional Entertainment Features
With the foundations set, it is time to begin adding the entertainment features. The best place to start is with the functional elements, such as those revolved around heating, cooking, and illumination:
Cooking Elements
From complete outdoor kitchens to dedicated barbecue areas, cooking is an essential part of entertaining garden design. Whether you want to host a large group of family and friends or desire something simpler, cooking outdoors is a wonderful way to make any day more special.
Al fresco dining is often a luxury reserved for holidays or outings, but it can be a part of every occasion with the right garden design in place. Ensure that cooking areas are close to seating and dining spaces, for easy transportation of food and drink.
Heating and Fire Pits
With heating in the garden, you do not have to cut the party short because the sun has gone down. You can combat the chill of evenings with fire pits or patio heaters, ensuring that all seating areas are comfortable and safe for the family.
Combine heating elements with soft furnishings such as blankets and rugs for maximum warmth, and you can enjoy many late nights under the stars.
Ambient Garden Lighting
Set the tone with garden lighting to create a festive or cosy atmosphere whenever the sun goes down. Lighting is not just a practical addition to the garden, offering safe access and illumination, but can also create the ideal ambience for your outdoor entertainment.
4) Decorate With Soft Landscaping
To combine both indoor and outdoor living, adorn your entertaining garden design with plants, flowers, and shrubs.
- Container Planting: A flexible and low-maintenance option, container planting is incredibly useful for entertaining garden design as it allows you to adorn seating areas, dining spaces and decking with ease.
- Flower Beds And Borders: Soften the edges of hard landscaping with flower beds and border planting, using a combination of colourful flowers, structural grasses, and ground covers for year-round appeal.
- Lawn and Ground Cover: Create a soft landing for little ones or cover large areas with grass and ground cover plants. Ideal for zoning in entertaining garden design, a well-maintained lawn, whether real or artificial, is the foundation of any attractive outdoor space. It can be used for outdoor dining, seating or play based on your needs.
5) Comfort And Weatherproofing
To ensure that your entertaining garden design can be appreciated throughout the year, you need to consider comfort. With the unpredictable British weather and the ever-changing seasons, your garden needs to be prepared for everything.
This is why weatherproofing, shelter, and comfort are so important for entertaining garden design, and can be incorporated through the following:
- Shade Solutions: For seating and dining areas, consider pergolas, umbrellas or retractable awnings. These not only keep you protected from the sun, but also the wind and overlooking neighbours with the right placement.
- Weather Protection: Ensure you have suitable storage for furniture and decor during the winter months, such as a shed. Rely on waterproof furniture covers and reinforced outdoor features that can withstand rain, sleet and wind without rusting.
- Comfort: Heating fixtures, ambient lighting and soft furnishings can transform any outdoor space into another room in the home that is just as comfortable and stylish.
Conclusion
An entertaining garden design may look different for everyone, but it is always based around the same principles. Creating a garden suitable for hosting and entertaining relies on solid foundational materials, weatherproof furniture, and comfortable accessories.
With the right planning and makeover team, you can transform your garden into the ideal setting for every occasion. 4D Garden Design is a leading landscaping company, offering professional garden design, construction and maintenance services to bring your vision to life. We will work with you to plan and implement the best entertaining garden design for your lifestyle.
Contact Us Today
Ready to transform your garden? Contact the team today to learn more or to request a quote.
FAQs
What’s the best surface for an outdoor entertaining area?
Durable, attractive and level surfaces such as porcelain, natural stone, block paving and composite decking are ideal for outdoor entertainment spaces.
How can I create privacy in my garden entertainment space?
Natural screening, such as climbing plants and evergreen shrubs, can be a great way to keep your garden private. Alternatively, consider construction such as garden rooms, pergolas and tall fences.
How do I make an outdoor area usable year-round?
Incorporate shade, shelter and heating into your outdoor space so it can be used all year round.