Feature: Landscaping


Nordic garden design: What can we learn from ‘Friluftsliv’?


Industry experts, Gary Farrell and Chris Cooper from luxury outdoor furniture design company, Nth Degree, provide their insights on transforming outdoor spaces using friluftsliv, the scandinavian philosophy of open-air living.


T


he British winters are long and, much to the dismay of gardeners and garden-lovers alike, it means


our outdoor spaces are left dormant for five to six months of the year. In fact, despite the UK spending £8bn on garden products in 2025, 52£ of us will completely abandon our gardens the moment the first frost hits. This doesn’t have to be the case, however.


The inspiration we need to keep persevering with our outdoor spaces during the chilly weather can be found across the North Sea. In Nordic countries, where winters are even longer and even colder, gardens are rarely abandoned, so what’s their secret? As it turns out, it’s friluftsliv: the Scandinavian philosophy of open-air living. Friluftsliv encourages making your garden not just perfect for a summer barbecue, but for every season, as an extension of everyday life. In simple terms, the goal is to treat your garden like another room in your house, which is to be enjoyed year-round. So how do we embrace friluftsliv in the


UK? To explore practical ways to turn gardens into 24/7, year-round havens, we spoke to outdoor furniture expert Gary Farrell, founder of Nth Degree, and lawn expert Chris Cooper from Hayter, about creating a Scandi-inspired paradise for 2026 and beyond.


Make the garden a functional space Friluftsliv teaches that gardens should be used regularly, whatever the weather, because time in nature contributes to wellbeing and


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balance. This means designing spaces that invite frequent, short bouts of use rather than just occasional summer entertaining. “In Nordic cultures, the garden is never


treated as a backdrop or something that’s only enjoyed on the ‘right’ day,” says Gary Farrell, designer of luxury outdoor furniture, “it’s designed to be part of everyday life – somewhere you can step into for a few quiet moments, even if it’s cold or overcast! That’s why form and function need to come together to create a space that is both pleasant to spend time in and functional to use in all seasons. “When a garden works well, it naturally encourages use,” Farrell continues. “Seating should be positioned where it feels sheltered, surfaces are easy to move across and furniture is suitable for a range of moods and activities, from an alfresco meal to a morning coffee. “Small additions – such as coffee tables,


comfortable sofas or an umbrella or pergola for light rain – make a significant difference, turning the garden into somewhere you can use spontaneously. “Covers also play an important role,” Farrell


adds. “Protecting furniture when it’s not in use means it’s always ready to enjoy at a moment’s notice, removing barriers that might otherwise stop you from stepping outside.”


Design with weather protection in mind Norwegians and other Nordic peoples don’t wait for perfect conditions to enjoy the outdoors – they plan for all of them. Friluftsliv embraces the idea that there’s ‘no bad weather,


only bad clothes,’ and when we apply this philosophy to our outdoor spaces, we can create gardens that are usable all year round, even in the rainy UK. “Weather protection doesn’t just extend to


where you sit, rest and play,” says Chris Cooper, lawn expert from mower manufacturer, Hayter, “it’s also about protecting your garden’s soil so that your garden remains healthy year-round. “One of the simplest ways to protect your


lawn and soil is to be mindful of how and when you mow – especially when mowing again after the New Year. As a general rule, you should keep your lawn grass slightly longer and not cut it until the weather returns to being consistently above 6°C,” Cooper explains. “You’ll find this temperature change usually happens around mid–late March. From then on, mow every two weeks, shortening to 10 days and then eventually once a week. No matter the time of year, never remove more than one-third of your grass height,” Cooper adds. “No one wants to spend time in a garden


with dry, dead grass or soil – so following seasonal mowing recommendations will keep your garden inviting every day of the year.”


Prepare for early nights with heat and natural lighting Light and warmth are fundamental in high latitudes where winter days are short and cold. In the UK, these priorities translate well – especially when it comes to using natural- looking heaters, firepits and soft lighting to make your garden inviting, even in the cold.


GCU Spring 2026


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