Ideas to give impact and purpose to open spaces.
With the cooler months here, we have already started planning those sumptuous weekend barbeque parties and those wild pool parties that are sure to run into the wee hours of the morning.
The outdoors can be a fabulous place to spend a crisp Dubai night boogying away with friends or indulging in some quality me-time. Home Centre tells you how to transform the exteriors of your home from an everyday lawn to a party oasis.
Open spaces
If you are lucky enough to have a large open space in your outdoor area, then you can really play with ideas for a party setting.
Whether you decide on a structure based on fabric (tents) or wood (hut) or a combination of the two, treat the interiors as you would the interiors of your home. The first step in decorating is to fix its raison d'être — be it the entertainment entertainment area, lounge area or reading area. If it is for entertainment, you need to invest in quality seating sets and furniture to place food and drinks on.
You can choose between a formal outdoor table or a seating arrangement of comfortable sofas or bean bags and a coffee table with some
magazines.
Next consider the style you would like. If you are keen on creating the traditional Arabic Bedouin atmosphere, then your primary enclosure can be a fabric tent, a wooden hut structure or a blend of the two.
Replicate the traditional Bedouin space using a colourful mix of seating, scatter cushions along with vibrant lamps or candles enclosed in decorative accessories. Low seating such as floor cushions teamed with low coffee tables would also work very well to exude a laid-back atmosphere.
For a more chic atmosphere, you could go for design-led furniture that would give your haven a unique style. Blending custom-made pieces with scattered bean-bags and tables give an eclectic and fun look. Wicker is a particularly good material for outdoor furniture as it can withstand the wear and tear caused by high temperatures and humidity. Bright cushions look great against a green and luscious backdrop and perfectly complement the traditional as well as modern look.
If the outdoor area is more of a sanctuary rather than an entertainment zone, use comfortable seating like an egg chair or a sofa plumped up with cushions. Both are casual, personal and create a feeling of being enclosed and cuddled.
For lighting, use candles or decorative lanterns after sun-down. The gentle flickering of candles adds a romantic element to your space that is suited for both entertaining as well as for a spot of relaxation.
Small spaces
If you are an apartment-dweller or if your villa does not have a substantial lawn, a little creativity and space-smarts is all that is required to create a party space or haven where you can enjoy the cooler temperatures of Dubai.
If you have a small terrace balcony, attach a curtain rod to the roof and hang fabric from the ceiling of your balcony. Swag the material from the rod to the wall and then fix it in place to create a tent-like structure. Then add a couple of chairs and a table along with some soft decorative lighting like hung lanterns, fairy lights or lanterns placed on the floor.
Fix a couple of decorative wall hangings and voila, it is a cosy dining area for two. If you have the space, scatter some plants in the corner to add at bit of greenery. Remember to tie the tent fabric rather than fix it permanently — it becomes easier to dismantle it and for washing.
Garden touches are great for adding an ambience to your outdoor space. Plants can be simply pushed into the soil or be planted in containers filled with sand and soil. To add a little brightness, grab a pot of paint and go creative with the furniture.
Paint the wicker and wooden furniture any colour you like — this not only adds a burst of colour to the setting, it also gives the furniture added protection against the sun and humidity. The best idea is to paint your structure a bright colour and then use contrasting colours to complement the space.
Always bear in mind, the various effects light has on different hues. Colours usually exhibit the clean bright whites and
blues in sunlight and warm tones of orange and red in candlelight.
— Text and pictures courtesy Home Centre
