From a family area for children to play in, through to a stunning zone for entertaining guests and everything in between, these expert tips will help you create a summer-ready space

OUTDOOR LIVING IDEAS

Before you begin

Getting the preparation right is key to ensuring a successful outdoor living project. Here’s how to understand planning and site conditions:

“Adding decking and/or patios to your home is likely to fall within permitted development (PD), so you won’t normally need formal planning”, says Build It expert Mike Dade.

“The tricky bit is that a raised platform isn’t PD, so the line where decking ends and a raised platform begins can be hard to pin down (usually higher than 0.3m, according to PD rights for householders: technical guidance).”

“Firstly, clear out weeds and any roots that could cause issues down the line. You’ll need to remove turf and topsoil to a depth of 15cm to lay foundations”, says Lee Dunderdale from Bradstone. “With patios, it’s important to build in a slight slope so the rainwater can run off to the lawn and not create puddles.”