The nice thing about a later Easter break is that the May Day bank holiday follows swiftly after, meaning there’s no excuse for not getting on with outdoor improvements – whether it’s planning, planting, cleaning or just getting ready for long summer days and evenings …
Undercover Ideas
We may not all be blessed with huge outdoor spaces to use for a little bit of rest and relaxation, but there’s no harm in taking inspiration from some of the grander schemes we’ve discovered. This particular layout includes a semi-open terraced area, which perhaps isn’t that bad an idea in our unreliable climate…however much we may be looking forward to another mad-hot summer! This scheme works because the floor tiles, Island Greige matt porcelain slabs, measure in at 400mm x 800mm, giving a spacious, unbroken look, and are teamed with crisp, dark-grey decorative elements; all-weather furniture, weather-boarding and dark-stained joinery.
Accessories and Garden Furniture | Dunelm
What a Spread!
Once the outdoor flooring has been sorted out (similar outdoor tiles to these shown here are our Beton outdoor porcelain slabs, measuring 600mm x 600mm), then it’s time to enjoy adding a bit of fun and colour to the proceedings. Happy, this season’s outdoor looks are focused on bright and breezy colours, which in themselves transform a garden. So, if you’re in a new-build, or have recently moved into a new house and had to clear an over-run and neglected plot, it’s possible to get it looking presentable in a very short space of time – don’t despair! However, we would always recommend putting in some decent shrubs and greenery pretty smartish too, to lay the basis for an even nicer outdoor space in the coming years. Accessories and furniture here is all from Dunelm.
Lighting Up Time
Don’t forget – if you’re putting lots of effort into making a great outdoor living space, outdoor lighting is important too. Yes, it’s possible to get by with strings of battery lights and candles, but a nice and reliable permanent outdoor lighting system is preferable, and more secure, too. All outdoor lighting needs to be installed by appropriately qualified persons, don’t forget, contact professionals in your area via NICEIC . Permanently positioned lighting features like ground posts should ideally be accommodated at the beginning of your landscaping project.
Natural Looks
If you like the idea of timber-style outdoor surfaces, but don’t fancy the upkeep, then you absolutely need to take a look at some of our stunning wood-design tiles. These are Icon porcelain outdoor slab tiles, which look just naturally weathered wooden planks (think sea-salt-weathered, seaside promenade-style). These of course can be used outdoors, but if you want a similar indoor look, we have more wood-look interior tiles here.
Mixed Materials
Here’s a great example of a mix of colours, fabrics and textures. Timber furniture is a nice contrast against tough slab tiles (look at our Materia grey porcelain at a generous 760mm x 760mm for a similar effect). Multi-coloured soft furnishings and dark stained timber furniture adds to the eclectic look; all available from Argos, and the table and chairs can easily be moved when it’s party time an the dancing begins …
Glass Vases, Votives & Tray from Beaumonde | Garden Birds Weather-Resistant Scatter Cushion from Wyevale Garden Centres | Deckchairs from National Gallery Shop
Keeping It Green
Let’s stick to our outdoor, bank holiday, good-weather theme with some suggestions for green accessories for your completed outdoor project. From left; a set of seven green glass vases, votives and tray – which would be perfect all year round, to be honest! But just as gorgeous for a summers evening. Get the set from Beaumonde. Centre; Outdoor cushions are a nice finishing touch, especially if you just want to update some shabby garden furniture or an old bench. Try this Garden Birds weather-resistant scatter cushion from Wyevale Garden Centres – there are lots of other nature-themed designs, too. Right; Deckchairs are very much under-rated, we think. Easily movable around the terrace to catch the perfect patch of bank holiday sunshine … the National Gallery shop has an interesting range, with images including Irises, and Sunflowers.
A Quick Pathway Make-Over
As we’ve already mentioned, lighting does add a great finishing touch to a bank holiday paving or landscaping project. So, assuming you want it done quickly, rather than permanent (and perhaps expensive) electrical installation, consider solar powered border or pathway lights. We’re rather taken with this set of four solar path lights, from Lights4Fun.
Bank Holiday Goals
OK, so in an ideal world, a precious bank holiday should be allocated for rest and relaxation. Or you could end up sitting in a traffic jam for hours. We reckon staying at home and enjoying the day, whether it’s sprucing up, prep work for a project, or doing a bit of general maintenance is probably the best bet. Don’t overdo it though … a bit of light gravel-raking, a gentle hose-down of any tiled or slabbed areas, and perhaps a very unobtrusive dust-down of the garden furniture sounds just about right to us!! Happy Bank Holiday – and don’t forget, do share your latest project pictures with us! Shown here for a little bit of inspiration, our Basilia Marengo new outdoor tiles. Samples available are available here, just click the sample button.
And remember…we’re always very keen to see pics of your projects, so hit us up @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram with your outdoor tiling project photos and you could receive a £20 instagram voucher should we use your pics on our website!
You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…
May Bank Holiday DIY Ideas: Quick Interior Improvements You Can Do With The Kids
Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.