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Home and Garden Design Ideas
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Home and Garden Design Ideas

Outdoor Space Design

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Make an Impression with a Quality Outdoor Space

This guide is essential if you’re designing an outdoor living area for your home. Where should you begin? Many homeowners-turned-exterior-designers face challenges, as poor planning and shortcuts can lead to frustrating results.

We’ve compiled useful information to help you create an outdoor space you’ll be proud to showcase. Your guests will appreciate and enjoy spending long hours in your designed backyard.

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Effortless Luxury Outdoor Umbrellas

Create iconic outdoor spaces for friends and family with the modular shade solution, the Shadowspec Unity™ – Graham from Sydney, Australia purchased a Duo umbrella and after a few months of use realised they needed more shade. The inherent modularity of the Unity enabled Graham to upgrade the umbrella to the Quattro configuration. Classy outdoor umbrellas with large shade coverage and clean lines, the world’s best outdoor umbrella.

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Versatile Patio Furniture

Sand, surf and sun. Perth, Western Australia is a thriving modern city with a stunning outlook on the Indian Ocean. Homes along the coast feature stunning architecture, relaxing patios and designer pools. WA is known for its hot climate, long summers and predictable weather patterns. Shade umbrellas and pools are an essential accessory in the state and Tom purchased a Shadowspec Serenity™ Rotating Cantilever from Shadowspec.

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6 Key Functional Considerations

What Do You Want Your Space to Be?

What is your motivation for creating an outdoor area? Is it to spend time with family, have a private oasis, or for dining? Define your goal early and stick to it, otherwise procrastination and distractions may take over.

Existing Obstacles

The location of your new space is crucial when it comes to designing and planning. Is it south-facing? Detached from the house? Are there limitations due to fences, pools, or other structures? Do you need to consider your neighbours? Rather than letting these factors deter you, incorporate them into your design and make them features.

Seasonality

Is your space intended for just the summer months, or do you plan to use it throughout the year? Consider the weather, sun positioning, and prevailing winds in your planning. There’s little benefit in setting up a new patio in a spot where the sun never reaches, as it won’t be used, which is suboptimal in the long run.

Size & Shape

Finding the most optimal way to use your space is key, every inch should be considered in the planning phase. Think about the different uses you’ll want over the lifetime of your property. Space for dining, drinking and relaxing, and don’t overlook space to play with the kids.  The shape of the area is also important – think about how you can use the natural curves and lines of your space.

Continuity & Consistency

Have you spent time and money on design and enhancements around your home? Make sure your outdoor space flows on from this, as by creating a consistent experience everything will start to make sense.

Budget

When you consider the budget, you must ask yourself how much are you willing to spend and you want to spend it. While it may be appealing, it’s recommended you don’t cut too many corners. Looking for cheaper options is not always a good idea, there are some elements of an outdoor area that you shouldn’t compromise on quality.

Stylish Patio Furniture for Great Design

The Shadowspec Serenity Rotating Cantilever transformed Tom’s patio into an oasis of comfort. With its inherent movability, customisation options and clever design, it is the perfect addition to his outdoor space. The castor wheels on the free-standing base allow Tom to reposition the umbrella throughout the day, ensuring that he always has the optimal amount of shade as the sun moves across the sky.

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Build the Perfect Outdoor Space

Now that you’ve established the purpose and functionality of your space, it’s time to start designing and setting up your outdoor area.

Choose the Right Fixtures

Based on your plans for the space, you need to select the appropriate furniture and fixtures to move towards your goal. Consider what outdoor seating, heating options, and cooking equipment, like barbecues and firepits, you’ll need. Keep your overall plan in mind as you make these decisions. To help you get started, here are the essentials for outdoor spaces

Focus on Protection

Relaxing in the shade is an enjoyable experience, offering a welcome respite from the sun’s heat. However, it’s important to remember that simply blocking sunlight does not provide adequate protection from harmful UV rays. To ensure comprehensive protection, your shade solution should be designed to filter out UV rays in an effective manner. This will not only keep you cool but also safeguard your skin from potential damage caused by prolonged sun exposure. Investing in high-quality shade options that offer UV protection is essential for both comfort and health.

Invest in a shade solution that can withstand less-than-ideal weather to maximise your time outside. Shadowspec Umbrellas filter out almost 100% of UV rays and offer protection from rain, wind, and other conditions that could otherwise limit your outdoor enjoyment. Take care of your family; they’re important.

1  Table & Chairs
The table is the centerpiece of all outdoor dining areas. It’s where families congregate and memories are created. Your first choice should always be the table and chairs.
2  Shade & Shelter
Create a shaded, comfortable outdoor area where you can spend plenty of time with your family by providing ample shelter. Sitting under a patio umbrella in summer? Perfect.
3  Warmth & Cooking
Food brings people together; include a fireplace, firepit or barbecue to generate warmth and provide food to impress.
4  Plants & Vegetation
Add a splash of colour and interest, plants provide nice fresh air and a nice organic balance to the other furnishings you’re selecting.

Set the Trends

Don’t just follow trends, set them with a Shadowspec Outdoor Umbrella. Bring your family together, find the best umbrella for you:

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Outdoor Shade Options

Outdoor shade is crucial for enhancing your comfort and enjoyment. Here are a few effective solutions for providing shade in your outdoor space.

Outdoor Umbrellas

Outdoor umbrellas are a popular choice due to their essential features. They offer style, flexibility, and UV protection while being easy to maintain and cost-effective. When you invest in a high-quality umbrella, it can last for 10 years or more. These patio umbrellas are widely used around the world for their practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Shade Sails

Shade sails provide a permanent shading solution and are ideal for creating unique and visually appealing shapes. However, they can be challenging to remove for cleaning and maintenance. Their extensive coverage area often collects leaves and debris, which can be an issue.

Awnings

Wall mounted awnings are practical for shading areas adjacent to your home. However, their numerous moving parts and the strain from their weight can lead to frequent damage and malfunction. Despite this, they are effective for covering decks and similar spaces.

Pergolas

These are permanent structures topped with open rafters. They look good but may not be the best solution if you need full shade. They also need regular re-staining or re-painting to maintain. Best paired with an outdoor umbrella or another shade solution to provide comfortable shade.

Louvre Systems

These structures function like interior blinds and are mounted above the area you are looking to shade. They are made of aluminium. Despite looking good, they are the most expensive shade system available and are inflexible. Difficult to maintain and repair, they’re best for outdoor rooms that convert to a full inside room during winter.

Retractable Screens

When the sun gets low or the wind blows, retractable screens are handy. They protect from angled sun rays and provide additional privacy. With the retractable option, they can be lifted when needed. Good, basic protection from low-angle sun, but they do require a permanent structure to mount off and are therefore another system that is best off having a symbiotic relationship with other shade solutions.

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Where to Find Help Creating Your Outdoor Space

Designing the perfect outdoor space can be quite frustrating. Don’t let it overwhelm you—there are plenty of online resources available to help you find the right solution. Consult with an expert supplier about the products you want to include in your space. The key is to invest in high-quality products for essential fixtures. By prioritising quality over price, you’ll save both money and headaches in the long run. Durable products will ensure that the rest of your design falls into place smoothly, and you’ll benefit from the expertise of knowledgeable suppliers.

The first step in designing your ideal outdoor area is to have a clear vision of how you intend to use it, considering all relevant factors: location, purpose, weather conditions, and of course, budget.

Next, determine the type of furniture that will best suit the space, aiming for three key attributes: beauty, comfort, and functionality. There’s no need to compromise—choosing high-quality products can provide all three. A crucial aspect of your project will be deciding how to incorporate shade. Flexibility is essential here. Outdoor patio umbrellas are a popular choice as they can adapt to various scenarios. Explore our range of cantilever umbrellas, which are ideal for home and garden use.

If this process seems daunting, seeking advice from a professional supplier can be invaluable. When creating your dream outdoor space, it’s beneficial to consult someone who understands the market and can recommend the best solutions tailored to your needs.