Create the perfect outdoor entertainment space

With summer on the horizon, it’s time to get ready for long hot days outside with friends and family.

Whether you’re eating together, enjoying cool drinks or just hanging out, a garden can be the ideal setting. But how well does yours work when you have people over?

If you’re looking for some inspiration, these are four jobs to transform an ordinary garden into a suitable entertainment venue.

Bifold doors

Bringing the outdoors in doesn’t have to mean adding a conservatory or building an entire extension.

Instead, adding either French windows or bifold doors can open up your interior space and make a seamless transition to your garden.

Throw them open when the weather’s good and you can enjoy the best of both worlds. A window fitter can show you the options that are available.

Post your door job

Patio

If you want to enjoy your outside space, it’s important that it’s set up well – so why not build a dedicated area to relax and entertain?

When it comes to styles and materials, you have plenty of choice.

Tiles are a popular option. New products are particularly hardwearing and suited to outdoor use. You can even use the same style inside, for example in your kitchen, to create a seamless effect that helps bring the two spaces together.

Using wood to create decking is also popular. Consider using salvaged wood to get a weathered effect, while also being eco-friendly.

If you choose a traditional stone patio, consider finding a treated stone that won't absorb water and discolour. It could save you several Sundays spent jet washing in years to come.

Speak to a landscaper or hard paver to explore what’s available.

Post your patio job

Barbecue

There’s nothing like a barbecue – the smell of smoke, the crackle of charcoal, the taste of a quality banger or burger cooked over flame.

If you’re struggling with a dirty old kettle barbecue, or even – perish the thought – a disposable BBQ, why not upgrade to something more substantial?

A bricklayer can build a dedicated barbecue setup with a grill, space for wood or coals, shelves for all your tools and equipment, and everything else you need to turn your garden into a pitmaster’s dream.

Or if you fancy indulging your culinary side outside but aren't keen on smoking meats and charring vegetables, why not consider a pizza oven? A bespoke pizza oven will give you the chance to make your own authentic Neapolitan or New York slices better than any local takeaway joint. The only worry you'll have is keeping hungry visitors away.

Post your barbecue job

Summerhouse

Most of us long for more usable space in our homes, but even a simple extension can be beyond our budgets.

If you’d like an extra room to use as an office, hobby space or studio, then a summerhouse might be a good solution.

It's not just an upgraded shed – it's a practical space that you can use however you want. And with electricity and good insulation, it can stay useful long after summer fades.

While you can buy off-the-peg self-assembly kits, we recommend finding a building professional. They’ll make short work of a pre-built summerhouse, or can build you something more bespoke.

You can find a carpenter to help build your summerhouse, or a handyman to help assemble a practical option.

Post your garden room job