Heating & lighting

A warm, welcoming welcoming vibe vibe

Bring your outdoor spaces to life your way with new-look designer heating and lighting

words carrol baker

HEATING OPTIONS

When choosing an outdoor heat source to keep you and your guests snug, there are some practical ways to narrow down your selection. The size and shape of the space and how it’s protected all factor into your decision. Then there’s the fuel source. Gas or electric? Wood, charcoal or bioethanol? Each has different benefi ts. Another consideration of course is budget — if yours is on the generous side, there are virtually unlimited options available to you.

FIREPITS AND FIRE TABLES

Outdoor entertaining spaces come in all shapes and sizes. If yours is small, a fi repit is a great solution. They are relatively new to the marketplace and are one of the most popular contemporary heating sources. As an added bonus, a fi repit is portable — move it around as needed. Add cosy seating for a pop-up party feel or to create an intimate space. Firepits are ground height or table height, so they won’t obscure any garden views. Wood-burning fi repits also offer another way to cook simple foods with a grill plate on top. Your guests will love it. They are portable so you can also store away in the warmer months if you choose, but the ambience of a fi repit can be enjoyed all year round.

Bioethanol freestanding fi re tables or fi repits are environmentally friendly, cost-effi cient options to provide warm ambient heating. They are very versatile and can be used both indoors and out.

These are one of the fastest-growing additions to many outdoor spaces because of their good looks and versatility. They are available in an abundance of shapes and sizes.

A BESPOKE FIREPLACE

Designer fi replaces are also making their mark. Add a little fl air to your outdoor space with a custom-built fi replace. The inviting ambience of a fi re will have you opting for nights in rather that heading out. A stylish fi replace can take an outdoor space to the next level of design, matching harmoniously with your home’s interior as well.

Modern fi replaces can be constructed with myriad materials including brick, concrete, metal or stone and can be fuelled by either gas or wood. Storage areas for timber fuel sources are coming into their own — many stackable options add a rustic designer look.

New-look gas fi replaces can run on natural gas or LPG. With simple installation, the modern open-fronted fi replace means there’s no need for a fl ue. Stylish and tasteful, bespoke inbuilt outdoor gas fi replaces are very hot right now.

A suspended fi replace is another beautiful heating source. Timeless and stylish, they add a touch of drama and undeniable aesthetic appeal.

Above Image courtesy of Sculpt Fireplace Collection. sculptfi replaces.com.au Left Image courtesy of Escea. escea.com/au/

ELECTRIC STRIP HEATERS

Slimline, stylish and versatile — mounted strip heaters continue to evolve, adding warmth and ambience to a protected outdoor space. They are also very discreet. They offer instant heat, so there’s no need to stoke the fi re and wait for it to heat up. Some can be controlled with remotes or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth via a smartphone app, giving you the ultimate in control and convenience.

Electric freestanding heaters are another idea in modern outdoor heating options. Some can have the height and angle of the head adjusted to zone in where you need it. Look for one with a tip-over safety switch.

PORTABLE GAS HEATERS

This eco-friendly idea is the perfect way to add instant warmth to an outdoor space. Modern portable gas heaters have more of a designer edge than their previous counterparts. You’ll often fi nd them in commercial alfresco settings, but they can just as easily keep the winter chills at bay at home. Position close to the action to create a warming winter welcome, but not too close to ceilings. An adjustable thermostat means you can get the right amount of warmth exactly where you need it.

TURNING UP THE HEAT WITH AWNINGS AND BLINDS

Retractable shades, awnings and shutters will keep out summer heat but also serve to cosy up your home, trapping the heat and blocking chilly winter winds. In outdoor spaces, outdoor blinds can be both stylish and functional. New additions to awnings include options that can completely enclose an outdoor space, creating a separate serviceable entertaining space when it’s cold outside.

LIGHTING OPTIONS

Outdoor lighting has evolved over the last few decades. It plays a pivotal role in crafting an inviting ambience for your outdoor spaces. Modern outdoor entertaining areas can contain a clever mix of outdoor lighting including LED garden spike or bollard lights to light the way, in-fl oor deck and stair lighting for safety, wall lighting to provide soft ambient illumination or to highlight a focal point, and lanterns to cast a warm glow.

Above Image courtesy of Escea. escea.com/au/ Below & opposite bottom Images courtesy of Thermofi lm. thermofi lm.com.au Opposite top right & middle Images courtesy of Beacon Lighting. beaconlighting.com.au

Outdoor lighting has evolved over the last few decades. It plays a pivotal role in crafting an inviting ambience for your outdoor spaces

Above Image courtesy of Beacon Lighting. beaconlighting.com.au Top left Photo by Randy Fath. unsplash.com Left Image courtesy of Getty Images Below Image courtesy of Lights4fun. lights4fun.com

TAKE A NOTE

If you want to create a beautiful and practical lighting plan for your garden and surrounds, take pencil to paper and carefully sketch out your landscape, including pathways and gardens. Highlight plants, shrubs and trees that deserve special attention through feature lighting. Add in steps, decks, areas where there is garden seating, arbors and water features. Where possible, draw it to scale so distances and heights are factored in. Once you have a plan, you can chat with a lighting specialist to determine how best to make your outdoor spaces come to life your way with lighting.

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

Of course, lighting an entryway sets the tone for the rest of your outdoor space and landscape. This is because your pathway lighting generally leads the way to your outdoor areas. Bollard lighting offers safe passage for those walking around pathways at night. Oval stainless and black bollard lighting remains popular.

Wall lights that cast a muted glow are on trend. Some illuminate upwards and downwards, while metals like copper and brass add a touch of contemporary style.

ALFRESCO DINING IN STYLE

Alfresco dining has never looked so good. Source an antique or contemporary candle holder, bunches of flowers from the garden, set a pretty table with some comfortable cushions and throws and gather your friends for a casual late-afternoon gathering under a winter sky. As the sun sets, light the candles to create a romantic look.

Who says pendants are just for home interiors? Not any longer. Pendants in durable wicker, stainless steel and metals are creating spaces that offer elegant dining alternatives to eating and entertaining indoors.

ADD A SPRINKLING OF MAGIC

To create an instant party ambience, festoon lighting is a hands-down favourite. This type of lighting has evolved with a greater variety of options on offer. There are dimmer switches to help control the amount of illumination — some are available in round and pear shapes, others have an industrial vibe to suit many contemporary outdoor spaces. Add some Wi-Fi capability and you control the party your way. Ramp it up early to get everyone in a festive mood, then dial it back later in the evening.

Create a beautiful bespoke look by weaving pretty fairy lights around a trellis in the garden. Or light up a feature tree with garlands of attractive lighting to create a romantic shimmer. Hurricane lanterns placed strategically around the garden can direct the flow of foot traffic and add an appealing aspect.

Lanterns positioned around an outdoor space evoke a soft, gentle glow that is comfortable and relaxing. Beautiful new-look outdoor lanterns made from durable woven materials are popular. Position them on tables at different heights, and experiment to see what works well to cast the right level of gentle illumination.

SAFE AS HOUSES

Lighting on steps and decking is designed to provide subtle low-level lighting for safety. Flexible LED strip lights and deck lighting make navigating your way around an outdoor space far safer. Position along the risers or treads of stairs — it will cast a soft downward glow that won’t overpower other lighting.

Deck lighting is another safety feature with a malleable glow. New innovations in lighting mean colour-changing lights are also on offer. Decks with inbuilt seating can also look fabulous with modern under-cap lighting. Some new deck lights can sense light levels in a space and automatically switch on when the levels are too low.

Top Image courtesy of Lights4fun. lights4fun.com Above Image courtesy of Coff ee & Cloth. coff eeandcloth.co.uk