The weather may be getting colder and wetter by the day as winter rolls in and indoor entertaining may be off the menu for most parts of the UK but this doesn’t mean the season’s biggest moments shouldn’t be celebrated.
Even during the autumn and winter months, your outdoor space can be transformed into a vibrant entertaining area. What better excuse for an outdoor celebration than marking bonfire night on the 5th of November?
Here we share our top tips for celebrating bonfire night at home in style, and making your garden the warm and welcoming space it should be, whatever the season.
Create a feature fireplace
Feature fireplaces shouldn’t be reserved for indoors. Creating an outdoor fireplace or fire pit area is a great way to create a warm space where all the family can gather around and celebrate those extra-special occasions or while away a crisp autumn night with a glass of mulled wine or two. Purchasing and installing a fire pit is also more cost effective than patio heating, so it really is a win-win.
If you’re particularly handy and a little creative, you can create your very own mini bonfire and enjoy an extra level of cosiness in your back garden.
You could even design your DIY fire pit to make use of those old paving stones and blocks currently littering your garden just like Kaysi from home and craft blog Keeping It Simple did:
“A trip to Home Depot cost them around $50 for retaining wall blocks, sand, and pavers. They laid a ring of blocks first, maintaining a diameter of 33 inches, then installed pavers inside as the floor. A quick sweep of sand across the pavers was enough to lock them in place and prevent the blocks from shifting. The project did not include grout, mortar, or concrete, making it a perfect starter masonry project.”
Go undercover
Being prepared for all weathers is the key to success for any outdoor space, especially one at the mercy of the great British weather.
Whether your outdoor space is small and intimate or vast and sprawling, creating covered areas where you can shelter from the sun during the warmer months and ward off those chills during the autumn and winter months is a great idea.
A pergola is an excellent investment and can transform any size garden into a serious and comfortable entertaining space in a flash. They look pretty fabulous too, and will become a starring feature in your wider garden design. Discover great pergola ideas for your garden right here.
Add cosy touches
Bringing the outdoors in is a term that many interior design enthusiasts use, but what about bringing the inside out?
During the colder months, you’ll need extra cosy touches to keep your outdoor entertaining space usable and comfortable as temperatures take a dive.
The wonders of wool can be realised in your garden, with our wool blankets and throws a must-have accessory for your bonfire night celebration.
Alongside our undyed pure new wool blankets, our Merino wool throws are a fantastic, lightweight and warm addition to your outdoor seating area.
Merino wool is after all the ultimate outdoor accessory thanks to its breathability, antibacterial nature, temperature regulating benefits and unrivalled softness.
Adding other hygge home comforts, such as outdoor rugs, candles and lighting, will further enhance this feeling of cosiness to create a warm space even when temperatures are the opposite.
Warm things up
Being the host or hostess with the mostest isn’t just about creating the perfect setting for your bonfire night extravaganza. Cooking up a storm in the kitchen and creating a seasonal menu that will warm your family and other guests is another must.
A traditional bonfire night menu is filled with hearty staples like parched peas, baked potatoes, pies, and toffee apples.
Complement these simple but satisfying food choices with wonderfully warming drinks that incorporate cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, such as this hot spiced cider.
Images: Matva / Shutterstock.com, Rimma Bondarenko / Shutterstock.com