Transforming Your Outdoor Space into a Cozy Autumn Retreat

I’m excited to share a recent collaboration highlighting the importance of garden and landscaping design when it comes to enhancing your home's appeal. Holly Hooper from Redfin, a trusted name in the real estate industry, recently featured us in an article, "Falling for the Outdoors: Transformative Backyard Upgrades for Cozy Autumn Retreats.”

Holly's article is a fantastic resource when you're seeking to maximize your outdoor areas as the leaves change and temperatures drop. Her article explores various aspects of outdoor living. I contributed to her article’s section 4: "Plan out multipurpose spaces." In this section, I shared insights on how understanding the purpose behind your outdoor area can lead to creating multifunctional spaces that can be enjoyed year-round.

In this blog post, I’ll present the key takeaways from my contribution to Redfin's article and expand on the topic. But before we begin, I would like to thank Holly Hooper and the entire Redfin team for the opportunity to collaborate on this enriching piece. Please read the full article with inspiring insight also from other garden and landscape professionals on Redfin's website to explore more autumn retreat ideas. Click HERE to read the full article.

Maximizing Functionality: Creating Multipurpose Outdoor Spaces

When designing your outdoor space, there's a key principle that can make a world of difference: the power of multipurpose planning. It all starts with a crystal-clear vision of what you want your outdoor space to be; from there, the possibilities are endless. I always want to start with the needed functions in mind as they make the foundation for a good garden design.

Purposeful Planning

The very first step is understanding the purpose of your outdoor haven.

• What do you want to achieve with this space?
• Is it for relaxation, entertainment, or perhaps a bit of both?

The clearer your vision, the easier it becomes to craft a multipurpose outdoor oasis.

Don’t hold back in this dreaming state. There are often many more opportunities to make your dreams come true and include different activities in your outdoor space with clever design than you might think at the beginning of the process.

All-Season Delight

Imagine extending your garden season throughout the year, regardless of the weather. How? Consider creating an outdoor pavilion with sliding glass doors that offer enchanting views of your garden. This space becomes your cozy shelter from the sun, where you can enjoy al fresco dining even when raindrops fall.

The images you see here are from one of my garden design projects. I designed a large decking area with steps and raised beds seamlessly combined with an outdoor pavilion.

The client wanted their garden to serve for all-weather socializing and a pavilion, which would be modern, streamlined, and grey. It has to have a certain percentage of openness in its walls to pass planning permission.

There was nothing similar in the market then, so I got to design it by myself. And what a wonderful project it was! I did the design, and the structural engineer focused on load-bearing capability as there might be a lot of snow during winter. (Afterwards, this kind of outdoor pavilion became very popular, and you can find many similar models in the selection of the garden house and pavilion manufacturers nowadays.)

With the addition of an infrared heater and strategic lighting, you can stretch your outdoor season well into late fall. And, for those crisp winter nights, why not add a fireplace in one corner and close those sliding doors? Voilà! You have a cozy retreat for marshmallow toasting and warm conversations.

Versatility Beyond Measure

However, outdoor multipurpose spaces are not limited to pavilions. Think about your decking area, for instance. With clever design, it can offer both ample space for socializing and a cozy corner for morning yoga. It's all about understanding your needs, designing with intention, and sizing things accordingly. It is your backyard - create one that supports your lifestyle and well-being.

So, whether you're planning an outdoor transformation or simply looking to make the most of your existing space, remember that the versatility of your outdoor haven is limited only by your imagination and purposeful design.

P.S. >>Here<< is the link to the full article by Redfin, which I encourage you to read for the full scope of this exciting topic.