RANGE REVIEW: OUTDOOR LIVING GARDEN TRENDS THE GROWTH OF OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING


With outdoor living such a huge feature of our lives over the past year, many of us are thinking of getting our garden ready for spring and the warmer weather ahead – not to mention the possibility of entertaining outdoors once again. Here Simon Chudley, National Commercial Technical Manager, at Tarmac Cement looks at the top garden trends for 2021 and how we can make our outdoor space


perfect for those long-awaited family gatherings and garden parties….


Structurally speaking, as concrete worktops are generally long and thin beams, make sure you use a product with sufficient workability, aggregate grading and strength, such as Tarmac Blue Circle High Strength concrete (40N).


Small gardens There’s no doubting the popularity of the garden over the last year, but not every household has


the luxury of space. Regardless T


his last year has seen many changes in how we use the space around us, but one of the biggest shifts was, of course,


the amount of time we spent at home. And the garden, in particular, proved to be something of a sanctuary for many in these tumultuous times. Rather


unsurprisingly, the time


spent doing DIY or gardening rose by an astounding 147% in the first lockdown during March and April, according to the Office for National Statistics. And the trend for spending time outdoors is set to stay, with the impact of lockdowns marking a very clear shift in how many of us use our garden spaces, particularly with the prospect of a good spring ahead of us.


Inside-outside living Perhaps one of the biggest interior trends at the moment is biophilic


design, bringing the outdoors in to incorporate nature’s beauty into our homes. But when it comes to deciding on garden design, bringing the inside out is also on the rise. The key to achieving the perfect outdoor space is to treat it as you would any room in


the home,


aiming for a seamless flow from the inside space to the garden. And transforming the garden into the perfect outdoor entertaining space isn’t as simple as merely adding a garden sofa; homeowners should consider different ways to achieve those alfresco aspirations with everything from concrete worktops to lighting installations. With the UK’s love of BBQs, bringing the kitchen outside by creating a dedicating cooking area is key. A brick barbeque is simple to build by using a pre-bagged, ready to use mortar mix such as Tarmac Blue Circle Quality Assured Mortar, which requires only the addition of clean water. Not only does a brick barbeque provide a long-lasting fixture that will be used time and time again, but it also adds a real focal point for alfresco dining. Consider also installing a concrete worktop as a stylish yet sturdy area for preparing food – just add other warmer, natural textures to the space, such as wooden furniture or fabric accessories to prevent it feeling too harsh and uninviting.


www.diyweek.net


of the area available, it is possible to make the most of even the smallest space. So how do you create the perception of a bigger garden? One key design feature we expect to see more of in smaller spaces is the inclusion of a diagonal or curved path throughout the area, as opposed to the common straight path. This helps trick the eye by breaking up boxed lawn areas and drawing our attention to the journey through the garden. Simple, yet very effective!


finer grinding tools until you reach the desired texture. For high traffic areas such a walkways or patios, it’s best to use a high-strength concrete and you should only polish these areas up to three times to maintain a safe slip rating of R10. For decorative planters, you can grind up to nine times to achieve a completely smooth and polished finish.


Alternatively,


consider laying a paved border to encompass the lawn, which can act as a polished, finished edging between flowerbeds and the grass.


Less is more Minimalist design in interiors isn’t a new trend, and its popularity continues to soar in our homes. Likewise, the trend for more scaled back design in favour of finishing and attention to detail will be big this year – and grey will continue to be a go-to colour in garden design. Consider polished concrete for a versatile and durable solution for garden elements such as planters, pathways and patios. To further enhance the design, add unique elements such as colour glass to further complement its subtle style and simplicity. If you’re new to polishing, the process involves using progressively


Working from the garden Finally, with home working set to continue in some form, garden workspaces will undoubtedly continue their boom. Even before coronavirus, ONS statistics showed the number of home workers rose by 75% between 2008 and 2018. With average UK house sizes decreasing, the value of a garden office space is all the greater, with experts suggesting that most garden rooms will add around 5% to the value of a property. One of the hottest home projects for the more seasoned DIYers is to create that all-important garden building, whether it’s for the home office, the gym or even your very own bar. Of course, a degree of knowledge is required to take on the job of laying a suitable base on which the structure will be built. Yet, the process here is no different to laying a patio area. We recommend 200-300mm for a crushed, granular Mot Type 1 material – just remember to compact it down with a wacker plate or heavy garden roller too. Follow this with a product such as


Blue Circle Slablayer before


positioning the slabs. Ultimately, the significance of the


garden is only going to increase this year. Whether you’re looking to style your space for ultimate evening of entertaining, go all out and build a home office, or simply refresh your paving and pathways, outdoor living is here to stay and DIYers should approach the space like any other project in the home.


MAY 2021 DIY WEEK 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36