Bringing the inside out

For many people, terraces are no longer part of the garden but a useful outdoor room, perfect for relaxing, entertaining and even working. Giles Kime offers a few tips on blurring the boundaries between outside and in

In Britain, we seem to have finally discovered a fact that people in warmer parts of the world have known for centuries—you don't need bricks and mortar to extend your house. Instead, careful planning, stylish furniture and a solid surface underfoot can combine to create a seamless join between the inside and outside of the house, which in warm weather will provide useful extra space for entertaining, eating or simply relaxing.

The secret to creating the perfect "outdoor room" is to treat it in exactly the same way that you'd treat an internal room. A terrace might not have walls and a ceiling, but the layout and furnishing should be considered in the same detail. Here are a few of the most important points to consider.

Wide access
The way your outdoor room relates to the house is vital. If your garden is accessed via a narrow door and a series of twisting steps, you're unlikely to make the most of what you have. If the layout of your home and garden allows it, install sliding or folding doors, which create as wide an access point between the inside and outside as possible.
Planning the best configuration is easiest when it's part of a larger project, such as extending a kitchen. With the help of a good architect, you should be able to create access that is as wide as the exterior wall.

On a level
Flooring plays a key role in creating the illusion that there is an invisible join between the inside and out. Without doubt, the ideal is an internal stone floor that extends to the garden. This not only enhances the illusion, but also makes it much easier to move furniture outside and inside as you need it. If this kind of flooring isn't possible in your home, at least make sure the levels of the two materials are matched. The easiest way to achieve this is to use wooden decking in the garden, which offers almost infinite flexibility.

Home comforts
Not all that long ago, the choice of outdoor furniture was limited to garden benches and uncomfortable cast iron. But the new generation is as stylish and comfy as anything you might find inside your home—in some cases, it's almost impossible to tell it apart from indoor furniture. The invention of high-tech fabrics and finishes that will brave both sun and rain have made day beds or fitted seating popular. Both can contribute towards creating a wonderfully relaxed feel in a garden, as well as looking attractive and modern.

Bright ideas
To maximise the amount of use you'll get out of your outdoor room, it's worth investing in some good-quality lighting. Although lanterns and candles are romantic, they should only really be used as decoration—there's no substitute for well-planned electric lighting that is an integral part of an overall garden-lighting scheme. But remember, while lighting can do much to enhance an exterior space, excessive use isn't eco-friendly and in built-up areas it might be considered a nuisance by neighbours.

In the shade
Apart from the obvious weather-related benefits, creating cover with an awning or canopy creates an intimate feel, enhancing the idea that your outdoor space is also a room. There are a variety of options, from simple fabric canopies fitted with eyelets, to high-tech awnings that extend over the space at the flick of a switch. In between, there are an array of contemporary options, such as the increasingly popular triangular sail awnings, which are inexpensive to buy and simple to fit. Another attractive option is to build a large timber frame, known as a pergola, that can be planted with climbing plants, such as wisteria. If your garden is overlooked, creating cover enables an added sense of privacy.

The next step
For stylish outdoor furniture, try Barlow Tyrie (www.teak.com), Gloster (www.gloster.com) Marston & Langinger (www.marston-and-langinger.com) Vincent Sheppard (www.vincent sheppard.com) and Summit Furniture (www.summitfurniture.com). For advice on the ultimate outdoor lighting, visit www.johncullenlighting.co.uk. Thomas Sanderson (www.thomas-sanderson.co.uk) sells a wide range
of high-tech awnings. For doors, try Folding Sliding Doors (www.foldingslidingdoors.com).