As the days grow shorter and the air turns increasingly crisp, autumn is the perfect time of year to give your home a seasonal makeover and infuse it with cosy, comforting to create spaces where you’ll love hunkering down for an afternoon or evening indoors. But if you often find yourself missing spending time in the great outdoors when the weather takes a turn, then there’s an even better way to get the most out of the season.
From summer houses to log cabins, garden rooms have enjoyed a dramatic surge in popularity over the past few years, allowing homeowners to expand their living spaces and feel closer to nature. Spending time outdoors has been shown by numerous studies to be beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing, but during the autumn and winter months, we tend to spend the majority of our time cooped up indoors. So creating a garden that can become a reading room, gaming space, or simply an additional setting room whilst allowing you to fully appreciate your surroundings is a great way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Garden rooms can be anything you want them to be, and are versatile enough that you can change them up to suit yours and your family’s evolving needs as and when required. Whatever your initial plan for yours might be, comfort is key. Here, we take a look at some simple ways to transform it into a cosy and luxurious space you’ll love.
Warm colour palettes
Creating a welcoming autumnal atmosphere all starts with your colour palette and seasonal hues like burnt orange, golden yellows and earthy browns will all help to set the scene and look great with the rustic exposed wooden interiors of summer houses and log cabins. You don’t have to go too mad, but incorporating these seasonal colours in the form of throws, blankets, cushions, rugs and other accessories, you’ll create warmth and a space that feels instantly like home.
Layered textures
To further enhance the feeling of warmth and cosiness, look to add contrasting textures and layer them up for maximum impact. Mixing and matching soft materials in the form of chunky-knit wool blankets and plush velvet cushions in your seating area, and placing a super soft thick-pile rug underfoot will go the extra mile in creating a space that’s perfect for curling up with a book or sipping a hot cup of tea.
Cosy lighting
Harsh lighting can quickly detract from the sense of warmth you’ve worked hard to create, so be sure to give some thought to how you’d like to illuminate the space, as it really can make or break the final atmosphere. During the autumn months, days become shorter and the darkness sets in much earlier on, so opt for some soft lighting to make the most of your garden space as the daylight begins to dwindle. Fairy lights are a really simple yet effective way to do this – simply drape them along shelves for a warm, gentle glow. Luxurious statement lamps also come into their own here – opt for ones with big shades and avoid overly bright bulbs – you’re going for a soft glow, so choose accordingly.
Nature-inspired decor
Choosing an autumnal colour palette already gives something of a nod to the natural environment, but taking this idea a little further to bring elements of the outdoors indoors can really add an extra-inviting feel to your garden room. Log cabins and summer houses already set the scene perfectly with their rustic wooden design and by adding seasonal accents like pumpkins, pine cones and acorns to decorative displays are the perfect finishing touches.
Functional furniture arrangements
When designing any type of garden room, the key to getting the most out of the space you have is creating a functional and inviting set-up, and choosing soft, comforting furnishings that can be arranged in a way that encourages both conversation and relaxation will ensure that it’s a space you’ll adore heading to you in your free time. Try using a coffee table as a centrepiece and arranging sofas and chairs around it to ensure that it’s perfect for entertaining and gathering with friends as well as simply spending some downtime alone.
All imagery credit: Palmako UK
