5 Best Outdoor Living Ideas for Your Garden

Published on 08/08/23 & Updated on 29/04/25

While most gardeners in the UK will dedicate just 2 hours a week to their gardens, multi-functional gardens are an evolving trend encouraging us to spend more time outside. Outdoor living is about transforming our gardens into versatile and inviting spaces for relaxation, dining and socialising.

Due to the increase in people working from home, our gardens are becoming a popular safe space where we can relax and enjoy nature. In addition, studies have shown that spending more time outdoors offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. For example, it can decrease the levels of stress hormones in your body and ease your muscle tension, while also increasing energy levels and improving mental clarity. 

As RHS award-winning garden designers, we love helping clients spend more time enjoying their gardens. In this guide, we’re sharing our favourite tips to help you transform your garden into the perfect outdoor living space. 

Read on for our five best outdoor living ideas for your garden:

1. Design an outdoor kitchen.
2. Make room for al fresco dining.
3. Create comfy lounge areas.
4. Invest in an outdoor fireplace.
5. Set the mood with outdoor lighting.

1. Design an Outdoor Kitchen

Having an outdoor kitchen in your garden is a fantastic way for all you foodies & cooking enthusiasts to bring the fun of cooking and entertaining outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are typically designed to replicate many of the key features and functions of an indoor kitchen while taking advantage of the natural surroundings and enjoying the outdoors. 

Some key features of an outdoor kitchen might include a grill, countertop, skink, storage, refrigeration and ventilation. You might even decide to add in a pizza oven – a family favourite! 

Key Benefits of Building an Outdoor Kitchen

Here are some more key benefits of an outdoor kitchen in your garden:

• It’s a fantastic way to entertain the family/ guests – Outdoor kitchens are a convenient space to entertain people as you can cook, socialise, and enjoy the company of everyone around you without having the burden of going back and forth between the indoor kitchen and garden. This makes hosting much more enjoyable and stress free!
• Reduced indoor heat – Cooking inside the house during the summer months can quickly heat up your home, however cooking outdoors eliminates this issue and keeps your space indoors cooler.
• Reduced indoor smoke & food smells – Cooking and preparing food outside also prevents food odours and smoke lingering inside the house.
• Increased home value – Building an outdoor kitchen will typically enhance your property’s value and boost appeal when it comes to selling, making it a valuable investment as well as all the other benefits that come with it.

Want some inspiration? Take a closer look inside the South London outdoor kitchen we designed here.

Edimentals for Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you love plants, an outdoor kitchen is also a great reason to add edimentals to your planting plan. These are plants that are both edible and ornamental, allowing you to ‘forage’ your garden as you cook. Take a look at The Savills Garden by Mark Gregory at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show for an example. Read more in our guide to edible landscape design.

Here are five edimental plants to grow around your outdoor kitchen:

• Nasturtiums – for peppery flowers, leaves and seeds to add to your salads.
• Chives – for pompom flowers and tasty stems to season your dishes.
• Lavender – not only a brilliant plant for pollinators, you can use the flowers to flavour syrups and baked goods.
• Purple basil – Deep burgundy leaves to tear into summer salads and sprinkle on pizzas.
• Calendula – Grow marigolds for bright edible flowers to scatter over desserts and salads.

If you want to transform your garden to make the most of outdoor living, we can help you bring your ideas to life. Find out more about our garden design process here and contact Raine when you’re ready for a free initial consultation.

2. Make Room for Al Fresco Dining

Al fresco dining goes hand in hand with an outdoor kitchen and refers to the practice of eating meals outdoors, typically in your garden.

Whether it’s a relaxing morning breakfast, a leisurely lunch or a romantic meal for two, al fresco garden dining offers a whole range of benefits that combine the pleasures of outdoor living with the enjoyment of a delicious home-cooked meal. 

On the topic of eating in your garden, many people believe that food actually tastes better outside. Some say that eating outside provides an elevated sensory experience, i.e. it improves your sense of taste.

Others say it’s related to the fact that while at one with nature, you’re less distracted by work and other things that might cause you stress.

3. Create Comfy Lounge Areas

Another key component of an outdoor living garden space is a comfy lounge area. This area is designed to provide a comfortable space for you and your guests to unwind, relax, socialise, nap, read and do whatever you want to do while enjoying the beauty of your own garden. 

For a little inspiration, here are seven cosy garden lounging ideas:

1. Choose a cosy chair you’ll be thankful for on sunny days, whether it’s a hanging egg chair or laid-back day bed.
2. Garden sofas make it easy for you to entertain friends and family. We love corner sofas for defining areas of your garden.
3. Yes, garden bean bags are an option too. These are lightweight and easy to move around, so you can lie in the shade or pack them away into the shed when you’re not using them.
4. Garden hammocks are perfect places in the summer to feel like you’re on a holiday retreat in your home. The good news is that many are free-standing too, giving you flexibility in where you place them.
5. Whether you go for timeless grey stripes or the colours of the Amalfi Coast, investing in outdoor cushions you love can add a little style and a lot of comfort to your garden furniture.
6. Outdoor rugs can be an easy way to set aside space in your garden and to add cosiness to large patios.
7. And lastly, don’t neglect a coffee table which can be both very useful while in your garden, and can also offer statement accents and curves to your design like the marbled resin tables here.

If you need more help on how to choose garden furniture, be sure to read our blog.

4. Invest in an Outdoor Fireplace

For those of us who live in the UK, we’re used to cold winters and warm(ish) summers, which is why installing a toasty fire pit or fireplace into your outdoor garden will allow you to relax outside all year round, regardless of the temperature.

There are several types of fireplaces you can incorporate into your garden, including:

• Wood Burning Fire Pit: Wood burning fire pits are a popular choice and add a cosy, rustic, camp-like atmosphere to your garden.
• Chiminea: This type of fireplace is a freestanding, clay or metal structure with a chimney. It directs smoke upward, reducing the amount of smoke that reaches those surrounding it.
• Gas Fire Pit: Gas fire pits use propane or natural gas as fuel and can be ignited with a switch or remote control – a super convenient option that also produces clean and smokeless flames.
• Fire Bowl: Fire bowls are decorative bowls designed to hold firewood or other fuel and can be made up of various materials, such as metal or concrete.
• Wall-Mounted Fireplace: These are mounted on a wall or tall structure, such as a garden wall or pergola, great for saving floor space if you have a small garden.

5. Set the Mood With Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the functionality, aesthetics and, of course, safety of outdoor living spaces. 

Without well-placed outdoor lighting, there would be a much higher chance of accidents, especially where there is uneven terrain.

Properly lit pathways and walkways, however, make it easier to navigate your garden at night, reducing the risk of trips and falls.

The best part about it is that there’s a huge range of outdoor lighting options to choose from, from string lights and solar-powered lights to wall-mounted fixtures and spotlights, all catering to different needs and budgets.

You can also choose certain types of lighting to create a specific ambiance and mood in your garden.

For example, warm lighting can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, while brighter, whiter lighting will create a more upbeat, energetic atmosphere. It all comes down to personal preference. 

Discover how lighting can extend the serenity of your outdoor space here.

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How Raine Garden Design Can Help

If you want to transform your garden into a multi functional outdoor living area but are not too sure where to start, we can help.

At Raine Garden Design, we will work closely with you to understand your preferences, lifestyle, and functional needs, and help to create the perfect outdoor living environment for you.

Learn more about the benefits of hiring a professional garden designer here, or get in touch on 07702 042559 or by emailing studio@rainegardendesign.co.uk to discover more about our garden design services.

Written by Kate Jones for Raine Garden Design.