Creating an outdoor space that can be enjoyed all year round

Winter is upon us. It might seem perverse for thoughts to turn to outdoor living when the days are short and the temperature low. Yet styling the great outdoors can make enjoyment of gardens and courtyards a mercury-defying proposition.

Outdoor furniture

In a trend that reflects Australia’s enduring love of open-air living, furniture makers such as Coco Republic report that outdoor settings are among their fastest-growing categories.

“There are so many stylish options for outdoor furniture on the market,” says Eve Gunson, the stylist behind Dot + Pop.

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“If you know you will be spending quite a bit of time in the outdoors this winter, it’s important to choose quality pieces that will withstand the elements.”

Time to cosy up

The hygge factor – the Danish term for “cosy” that has taken the world by snuggly storm – is achieved with the judicious choice of soft furnishings.

“Choosing weather-proof cushions and blankets means that you can leave them outside year-round, which is super handy if you don’t have the space [or time] to pack your outdoor furniture up after every use. However, if you do have a place to store your outdoor decor items, choose the softest and cosiest blankets and cushions you can find to snuggle up into, such as wool and sheepskin,” Gunson says.

Warm those cockles

Kristin Nilsson, co-owner of outdoor furniture and architectural hardware brand Robert Plumb, recommends making the firepit an extension of your outdoor area.

“Don’t hide it in the backyard. You can find beautifully designed styles that can become a feature piece. Where possible keep it close to the outdoor dining area as a natural transition from dinner to late-night chats and red wines around the fire,” Nilsson says.

If playing with fire isn’t your thing, strip heaters are a simple solution to staying warm, says Gunson. “They can be installed onto a ceiling, wall or beam to cast heat down over a dining table or lounge setting.”

Don’t forget the garden

Perhaps the most important piece of the al fresco puzzle, a winter garden can be a thing of beauty.

Mira Martinazzo, director of landscape architecture studio Mud Office, says “a good balance of evergreen and deciduous planting can make for year-round interest and action in the garden”.

She recommends using evergreen planting to define the structure of a garden – for example, by using a backdrop evergreen hedge as a consistent “wall” against which foreground plantings can be appreciated year-round.