anna_m_bonus' ideas
Fashion an outdoor roomIf your outside space is limited, it could make sense to look at it as an extension of your interior, rather than a separate garden. The decked surface of this small courtyard leads out from the kitchen through wide patio doors. The simple design is low maintenance, with plenty of greenery provided by bamboo, hedging and palms.A garden rug would soften a decked area nicely. Browse a selection in the Houzz Shop
Do fence it inIf you really want your shed to disappear, this is another way to trick the eye. Extending the side fence material along the front of the shed means it reads as if this is actually the end of the garden. The shed is tucked neatly behind and doesn’t disturb the minimal lines of this chic outdoor space.Ask your garden designer to consider this at the planning stage if you’re embarking on a big redesign, or see if you can adapt your existing garden by cladding the front of the shed in the same material as your fencing.Tell us…What would your dream shed look like? Let us know in the Comments section.
Camouflage itSpot the shed! This neat storage solution at the end of a narrow urban garden has been upgraded in the style stakes thanks to a green wall along the side that faces the house. The foliage effectively screens it and provides a more visually appealing surface to look out on to. It’s a simple solution, as any climbing plant would create a similar effect in time. Try a rambling rose, honeysuckle or clematis.
The single-surface tableDouble your options by choosing a bedside table with a shelf. A design like this has space for books underneath, leaving the top free and avoiding the potentially perilous clash of a stack of reading matter and a glass of water.Check out the timeless piece of small storage every home should have
Suspended mirrorsIf you have an unusual bathroom layout or an inconveniently placed window or obstacle, don’t forget that mirrors don’t have to hang flat on a wall. Suspending a mirror from the ceiling or a window frame can allow you to place it in a new, functional spot. Tell us…What’s important to you when it comes to a bathroom mirror? Have you found the perfect one? Share your experiences in the Comments section.
Build around itThis great piece of joinery works as both a TV cabinet and handy storage furniture. A low run of cabinets below the television is ideal for storing cables and digital boxes, and even acts as a display space, while the tall units can house a whole host of different sized items. The lit shelves add some interest to the otherwise minimal design.Discover how to deal with an awkwardly shaped living room
Tuck in a gazebo (especially if you have a messy tree)The messy tree, in this instance, is a lime with a protection order on it. If you have one in or overhanging your garden, you’ll know how majestic these popular street trees are, but also, depending on the variety, how much of a pain it can be having to clear up the sticky mess it will leave on your lawn, patio, flowerbeds and garden furniture. (If it overhangs your car, consider adapting the following idea for your driveway or front garden, if you have space.) The sticky stuff is, in fact, honeydew and is caused by aphids, so there’s not a lot you can do about it, but this garden, attached to a Victorian terrace, shows off a good solution.Designer Claire Burrage of Clara Bee built a large pergola with a solid roof that has a sedum bed planted on top of it and a dining area beneath it. “Now when the sap falls, it goes onto the roof and doesn’t affect the garden,” says Burrage. See more of this garden
The owners also wanted to incorporate unique elements and sustainable materials with eco credentials. The dining table, for instance, is a bespoke piece made from a recycled plastic material fitted with metal hairpin legs.The tall cupboards are made from the same Valchromat as the living room storage benches and shelves, linking the spaces.“The first of the blue storage units houses a drinks cabinet, which is great for entertaining friends,” Whitehead says. “It has a special compartment, made from the same recycled plastic material used for the dining table, for keeping the most precious whiskies and liqueurs. The doors hold the glasses.“We spent a lot on lighting in this house, too, especially in this main area, to create drama and grandeur,” the designer adds.Light, Moooi. Circular artwork, local artist Supermundane. Dining table top, made from recycled plastic by Smile Plastics.
Ceiling. Etc
Close it offElegant French-style glass doors can be closed to section off the living room and kitchen in this Victorian house. Many houses of this period that have had extensions out the back will often be open plan or just have an opening between the two spaces, but the framed-glass doors allow for easy access and plenty of light, while maintaining the separate identity of the two rooms when the doors are shut. Note that Fire Regulations around doors in and out of cooking spaces can be pretty strict and will depend on the way your home is laid out. Talk to an expert before committing.
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