The great outdoors is said to be one of the most relaxing places on Earth, full of wildlife, steeped in nature and generally radiating organic tranquillity.

Sadly, the same can’t always be said for our gardens, where wildlife is replaced by plastic kids’ toys, nature is subbed for overgrown weeds and radiant tranquillity makes way for barking neighbourhood dogs and cat mess.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! In fact, creating your very own outdoor oasis can be a lot easier than you think.

With a little imagination, a bit of time and a lot of will power, your gruesome garden could become the nirvana of the neighbourhood in no time.

Here’s how to create your very own outdoor spa in your garden space.

On the bubble

What better place to start in your quest for garden serenity than with the ultimate piece of chill technology – the hot tub.

The pinnacle of outdoor relaxation, the hot tub has been the symbol of summertime leisure for decades, offering an unrivalled setting for alone times and social gatherings alike.

However, hot tubs have also been seen as a symbol of status as well and with very good reason – hot tubs don’t come cheap! That being said, there’s no denying they are worth the investment.

On the other hand, if you don’t happen to have a swag bag of thousands lying around gathering dust, there are economical alternatives. Inflatable hot tubs – like the Lay-Z-Spa – can be found at a far more affordable price.

Lay the foundation

If you do decide to opt for a hot tub, you’ll need a designated area to house it. An exposed spa in the middle of a marshy wasteland doesn’t exactly scream “decadence”, so start by laying a base for your new home spa with a fitting flooring option.

At AlfrescoPlus, we recommend either capped composite decking or porcelain paving tiles for their superior moisture control and water-resistance. Naturally, these watery capabilities make either surface ideal for the task at hand.

Capped composite decking comes in protective polymer sleeve that is virtually impervious to moisture, while porcelain is made for slip-resistance and built to withstand spills and splashes while maintaining grip and traction.

Whichever surface you settle on, either one would make a fantastic flooring solution that’s ideal for housing a hot tub.

Take cover

Now that we have our hot tub and flooring planned out, it’s worth considering a cover for your outdoor spa area.

British weather can be pretty unpredictable at times and, at others, completely unforgiving. There’s nothing fun or relaxing about sitting in the rain, so cover your back by covering your head.

Meanwhile, even if you don’t mind the rain creeping in, you’ll certainly mind a neighbouring peering in. An awning or veranda can provide elemental shelter and heightened privacy simultaneously.

Meanwhile, shelter in the form of wood fencing, trellis and naturally high growing plants can provide additional privacy and seclusion, while also adding to the natural ambience of your garden spa space.

Take a seat

As amazing as it is to relax in the comfort of a hot tub in the outdoors, doing so for too long can pose many risks. Meanwhile, too much of anything can lose its appeal, so an alternative option can act as a welcome break.

Creating a seating area within your outdoor space can provide you with the perfect spot to soak up a rare bout of sun and unwind with a relaxatory beverage of your choice. Whether this is part of the same area as your hot tub or another patch entirely is up to you.

If budget and space allow, this could make for the perfect opportunity to create an outdoor lounge area separate from your hot tub, capitalising on the garden trend of zoning while adding to your overall spa ambience.

Choose a fitting flooring surface in keeping with your theme and adorn with compatible garden seating and loungers. Accessorise with a water feature for the ultimate complimentary area to complete your garden spa sanctuary.

For more information about our products and how to transform your outdoor space into a home spa haven, give us a call on 0800 028 8756 or send us an email using the link below.

Get in Touch

When it comes to adding an element of contemporary garden design to your outdoor space, knowing where to start can be half the battle.

With so many options at the click of a mouse, the myriad of available avenues is virtually endless, leaving you spoilt for choice and none the wiser on where to begin.

To save you from an overwhelming state of mental design flux, we’ve laid out a few simple options to help you bring your contemporary garden design to life on your property.

Zone Out

A growing trend in the gardening community and exterior design is the art of zoning. This essentially splits your outdoor space into distinct areas with a designated theme, look or purpose for each “zone”.

Zoning can help open up your garden give it a more voluminous feel, while it can also increase your garden’s overall appeal by giving your outdoor space with a multi-dimensional sense of purpose.

Creating designated areas for dining, relaxing and play can instantly make your outdoor space an outdoor oasis for people of all ages, making your garden the place to be for a variety of occasions.

Hit the Deck

The multi-functional appeal of decking makes it the perfect addition to any modern garden design. Whether you’re looking to relax and soak up the sun or wine and dine with friends, a decking area can oblige with ease.

Providing the perfect surface to host a variety of outdoor activities, decking can also be a great way to break up your garden and separate it from your lawn and plants.

What’s more, modern composite decking provides both style and substance with its superior durability and range of board designs, making it the perfect material for a long-term garden fixture that looks good and lasts.

Pave the Way

Providing design diversity in droves and personality in abundance, paving for your garden can inject an immediate dose of personality into your property, bringing your outdoor space to life from the moment they arrive.

Available in a huge variety of design options, paving is perhaps the easiest way to make a wholesale change to your garden’s aesthetic presentation. Better still, porcelain paving is specifically designed for low-maintenance longevity and long-term lifespan, providing you with a durable design that retains its looks for the long-haul.

Additionally, lighter colours, like creams and whites, can help create a sense of space, giving the illusion that your garden is bigger than it actually is. If space is at a premium, a brighter tile choice could result in a visually expansive garden.

Lounge Around

Perhaps the ultimate in outdoor enjoyment and relaxation, turning your garden into a glorified lounge can be a perfect way to add a touch of contemporary design to your outdoor space.

While a lounge-like ambience can be achieved through many of the above methods – established to great effect when combining several of these options – the way you accessorise can make all the difference.

Modern design trends have seen interior design staples make their way out into the open air, from rattan style corner sofas to upcycled indoor furniture reborn for the outdoors.

Meanwhile, fire pits and fire bowls can make a great centrepiece for a social area that also provides a hypnotic, mesmerising quality you can just as easily get lost in.

However, no outdoor lounge would be complete without comfy weatherproof seating, so keep that high on the list. Complete the care-free atmosphere by adding an attractive water feature for an all-natural soundtrack.

For more inspiration and information on contemporary garden design, give us a call on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the button below.

Get in Touch

There’s no denying that rivalry and competition can often make for a better outcome, particularly when two rivals are seeking the same end goal.

When there’s an equally appealing Ying to the opposition’s Yang, the game of one-upmanship makes for a mutually beneficial environment where the ultimate winner is you – the consumer!

Sonic had Mario; Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier; even Bill Gates had Steve Jobs! In keeping with the theme, the outdoor flooring industry is no different.

Paving vs. decking

Patio vs decking has long been the ultimate showdown between garden gunslingers. Find out which side of the duel you reside on, as we run down the pros and cons of paving and decking.

Benefits of porcelain paving

Providing all the aesthetic allure of natural stone, porcelain paving provides a modern twist on the classic stony façade, with heightened durability, hard-wearing properties and extremely low-maintenance.

Built to not only withstand elemental demands like fades and frost, these tiles are also slip, stain and scratch-resistant, leaving you with a new-look tile long after their introduction to your property.

They also come in a wide range of sizes and style, providing you with a huge selection in terms of outdoor design and patio finish.

Meanwhile, the low porosity of the pavers also makes them ideal for a variety of purposes and surfaces, from outdoor dining spots and hot tub areas to pool-sides and driveways.

Benefits of composite decking

Much like porcelain paving, composite decking also mimics its natural counterpart, this time providing a remarkably uncanny aesthetic of real wood.

However, unlike natural wood, composite decking won’t rot, fade, chip or splinter, nor will warp, bow or crack. Better still, it’ll never need to be sealed, stained or painted either.

Also built for slip-resistance, it’s extremely resistant to liquids and frost, particularly the capped composite range, which comes with protective polymer sleeve for enhanced moisture resistance.

Composite decking also boasts an eco-friendly design, made of reclaimed wood and polymer resin for a top-quality end product with a minimal carbon footprint for sustainability.

Porcelain paving or composite decking?

When it comes to choosing one of the other, it’s difficult to identify a clear-cut winner between pavers and decking.

Both offer similar advantages, providing long-lasting durability and weather-resistant stability. Meanwhile, both also offer low-maintenance properties for minimal upkeep.

However, while both porcelain pavers and composite decking are available in a variety of designs, the sheer variety of pavers give them the edge in terms of design freedom.

That being said, composite decking is available in a range of deck types and brands, offering additional diversity in terms of the materials.

The verdict

With porcelain tiles and composite decking boards acting as the Coke to the other’s Pepsi – ultimately, it all comes down to a matter of taste.

Both provide a feast for the eyes and either one would make a fantastic addition to any property, providing an instant upgrade for any property they reside on.

Whether you prefer an authentic stone-look space or a natural wood-look finish, you won’t be disappointed with either one!

For more information on our paving and decking options, feel free to get in touch today on 0800 028 8756 or drop us an email using the button below.

Get in Touch

Adding decking to your garden can be a great decision that can quite literally revolutionise how you utilise your outdoor space.

From social gatherings to solo relaxation, a beautiful deck area really can change how you enjoy your property and truly enhance your outdoor experience.

However, while the end result can boast all those things, in order to get there, you need to keep a few things in mind.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered for just that!

Deck Building Tips

Before you set off down the path to decking decadence, here’s a list of the most important things to consider when building your deck area.

Fit for purpose

The first lesson of deck building 101 is this – purpose. Ask yourself why you want a deck area and what you intend to use it for. This will help you considerably during the planning stages and allow you to create a detailed blueprint of what to include and where.

If you want to create a social spot, you’ll need to create a space big enough to accessorise with the appropriate furnishings, whether it’s an outdoor sofa, a dining table or a hot tub. Whereas, if you simply wanted a spot to light up the barbie, you’ll likely require far less space.

Funding the fun

Next up, is the all-important topic of finances. Naturally, building a decking area can incur a hefty cost, particularly if you plan on creating a large decking area using high-quality materials.

As a result, it’s important to be realistic and know just what you can afford. The last thing you want to do is get half way through a project, only for your pot to run dry.

Work out what deck you can manage financially – including any desired creature comforts you need to furnish it – and work your decking dreams around it.

Grand designs

Designing a deck area from scratch can be a difficult task, even for those with a vivid imagination. With so many variations and moving parts in play, it can be hard to know where to start, let alone how to finish.

Nevertheless, creating a plan of what you want your finished deck to look like is vital in achieving a successful end result. From size of the area to the type of board you want to use, creating a detailed blueprint of what you want to achieve provides a logical path for your project.

A good way to approach this is to complement your home’s design, not to compete with it. If the exterior wall of your house has a contemporary aesthetic, choose a deck that offers the same appeal.

Undercover

If you want an outdoor space that can be enjoyed all-year round, regardless of season and weather, it may be worth considering getting your deck area covered to protect you and your guests from the elements.

For year-round use, complementing your deck with protective shelter can instantly broaden the scope for outside fun, allowing you to enjoy your decking area whatever the weather.

Whether you want to create a shaded spot for the summer heat, an outdoor shelter for the wind and rain or simply a shielded sanctuary for heightened privacy, a roofed refuge can give your decking area limitless usage.

Lighten up

Why limit your outdoor hours to daylight when you could enjoy your decking area at any time of the day? Adding lights to your deck area can instantly alter how you enjoy your decking and allow you to indulge in your outdoor oasis long after the sun goes down.

Whether this is achieved through strategic deck lighting built-in to the deck boards themselves or outdoor fixtures and fittings, such as hanging lights and wall lamps, the addition of appropriate illumination can make the world of difference.

There you have it, five fundamental things to consider when building your deck dream space. For more information on deck ideas, check out our blog section for inspiration or click the button below to get in touch.

Contact Us

When the weather is warm, the sun is shining and the clouds are curiously absent from the British skyline, the garden can be the perfect destination for a lazy afternoon of carefree relaxation.

That worriless ambience can be made all the more wondrous if you know how to accessorise your garden with the right furniture.

Give peace (and quiet) a chance with a garden seating area that turns your outdoor space into an R&R VIP room.

Benefits of Outdoor Seating

While Mother Nature’s weatherly influence can determine when you enjoy your garden, there are a few man-made factors that are firmly in your hands – namely garden furniture.

Whether you have decking or a paved patio, the introduction of outdoor seating to your external space can notably improve your outdoor enjoyment.

Better still, not only can it enhance your relaxation, it can also add an instant element of style and fashion to your garden.

Outdoor Seating Ideas

While it’s easy to automatically think of typical garden staples when it comes to outdoor furnishing, there’s so much more to outdoor furniture than wooden benches and metallic dining sets.

Here’s a few creative ideas to help you think outside that box when it comes to your garden seating area.

Hanging Out

If Homer Simpsons has taught us anything – and I think we can all agree, he’s taught us a lot – it’s that there’s no better way to relax in the garden than in the supine comfort of a hammock.

It’s easy to overlook this unusual yet awesome seating option, as many of us will have a pre-conceived notion that your garden needs two conveniently placed trees to support a hammock.

Luckily, this is purely a stereotype created by movies and cartoons. In reality, hammocks come in a variety of forms, including free-standing versions with solid frames for ready-made relaxation.

Whether you choose to go full Homer and rest a frosty beverage on your belly while you do so is your call, but the message remains: hammocks = relaxation

If you want to add a unique sense of luxury to your garden, look no further than the hanging haven that is the garden hammock.

Swing Along

In keeping with the hanging theme of the last entry, swing seats are another great way to relax in your outdoor space.

In addition to the ever-popular swing seats (also known as canopy swings) that have been staples of outdoor relaxation for decades, outdoor hanging chairs have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Bridging the gap between hammocks and traditional outdoor furniture, hanging garden chairs come in a variety of forms, from the cushioned comfort of padded armchairs and sofas to the modern style of all-weather bamboo/wicker chairs.

These dangling seats can be attached to suitable structural supports for sturdy suspension, providing a stylish seating solution that’s also spatially economical.

Bubble Over

Stylishly modern and unashamedly different, bubble chairs and cocoon seats are an instant statement, providing aesthetic allure and human intrigue in one fell swoop.

Uniquely designed and for style and comfort, these unusual seating options make for a memorable addition to any outdoor space. These can also come in hanging form, however, the standing form with a standard base is just as common and just as stylish.

The most common options are the transparent plastic versions and the more traditional wicker variety. For a contemporary, if not somewhat futuristic option, the plastic option is sure to be a crowd pleaser on novelty and curiosity; however, the wicker range is undoubtedly a safer option for long term style.

Cutting Corners

Corner sofas have become a preferred seating option for many homeowners when it comes to interior design; however, why should this stylishly practical furnishing be limited to indoor use only?

Modernised rattan furniture has been infiltrating British gardens with increasing regularity over the last decade or two, with revolutionary new designs cropping up as the years roll on.

One such innovation has been the introduction of the corner sofa to outdoor spaces. Space saving, stylish and superbly comfortable, it ticks a lot of boxes.

Better still, outdoor corner sofas are also weatherproof and tailor-made for socialising, making them a great place for summertime gatherings when the weather allows.

Outdoor Seating Area

Now that you’ve got the actual seating sorted, next up is the all-important flooring. After all, what good is beautiful, expensive seating if the base beneath it is made up of weeds, weathered wood or age-ravaged tiles?

To compliment your lovely, new garden furniture, why not explore the aesthetic awesomeness of garden decking or patio tiles from AlfrescoPlus? Both make fantastic flooring options with their own distinct personality and style, providing the perfect platform for your fresh garden furnishings.

You can even incorporate benched seating into your deck design, with decked benches built into your overall decking design. Built-in deck seating can also double up as a storage area to really make the most of the space available.

Conversely, paving can also work just as well and provide an equally stunning solution to your flooring conundrums. With a huge range of designs to suit your mental blueprint, a paved patio area can round off your garden and make for the perfect setting for an outdoor dining area.

All of our porcelain paving tiles are slip, stain and fade resistant and can simply be wiped clean of spills in an instant. Meanwhile, our decking options also boast these protective features, should you prefer to dine on deck over a porcelain patio.

Whichever material you opt for, decking and patio are the perfect base for stylish furniture. Simply accessorise with garden furniture that features complementary colours, sit back and enjoy!

For more information on outdoor living options, why not drop us a line? Call 0800 028 8756 today to speak with one of our friendly staff or use the button below to get in touch online.

Get in Touch