outdoor living - colour, furniture and accessories

Celebrate spring by bringing a splash of colour and comfort to your outdoor entertaining and relaxation areas with a little help from the lifestyle specialists at Gardening Central. We understand that people want to bring the comforts of indoor living to outside areas whether they are in the garden, on the patio, or by the swimming pool.

After all, Spring is the time when you can enjoy breakfast on the patio in the morning sun or lounge around on a sleepy Sunday with the kids. So, here are some simple tips to help turn your garden into a space fit for the whole family to enjoy.

Colour

According to Pantone, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, Summer 2009/2010 is gearing away from mass trends and instead is embracing individuality. They advise budding DIY designers and renovators to focus on their state of mind rather than simply copying everything they see in a magazine or on TV.

This self-defining style allows you to customise your space and create something that truly reflects your own unique personality. While garden centres and homemaker stores are a great source of inspiration, always come back to what makes you feel good and what will suit what is already in your home and garden.

Furniture

If you want to increase the amount of time you spend outdoors, then it’s important to have comfortable seating options. Depending on your personal preferences and space constraints, you can choose from an array of materials such as cane, rattan, metal, timber or plastic.

It’s a good idea to have two to three single chairs and one bench seat or lounge, just like you would have in the lounge room, if you like to entertaining family and friends.

Be sure to read the manufacturers care instructions so that the materials can withstand environmental elements such as salt, sun, wind and rain if you want them to stay looking good for years to come.

Furnishings

Cushions are also important as they bring the comfort of your lounge to outdoor areas. Gardening Central has a chic collection that you can use inside and outside the home.

Take the Large Boxy Cushions, which feature a geometric shape and super comfortable fabric. They measure 50cm x 50cm x 10 cm and come in a number of contemporary colours ranging from earthy brown to lime green to bright purple. They fit perfectly on the square timber chairs, just like this Talara setting, as well as other types of outdoor seating in need of a bit of cushioning,

However, if you prefer classic, monochromatic colours, our French Lilly Cushion features a black and white motif that will fit with all types of decors.

If you want to create a transition between your interior and exterior, simply pick a cushion colour that matches a fabric or piece of furniture from your inside the home.

Accessories

To help you minimise waste around the home and garden, Gardening Central stocks portable 210-litre and 340-litre compost bins. Once the bin has reached capacity, the contents can be emptied directly into the soil of your garden or lawn (under six inches of soil). The compost will break down into very rich soil within a few weeks and spread vital nutrients to your lawn and garden beds.

You will also find a colourful range of Australian designed gardening gloves, including special ones made for kids, plus a number of gardening essentials including plant labels, green jute string and colourful watering cans.

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