About

Open Outdoor Living is about the places just beyond the door: balconies, patios, courtyards, terraces and other outdoor corners at home. We explore how people can shape these spaces for sitting, growing, gathering and simply stepping outside.

A close look at outdoor home life

Our subject is the everyday use of outdoor space. We cover layout, planting, materials, comfort and seasonal changes, with room for both modest improvements and bigger ideas. A narrow balcony and a generous courtyard each have their own possibilities; neither needs to look like a finished showroom.

For curious householders

The publication is for readers who want to make more of an outdoor area, whether they rent, own, share or are still working out what they have. We aim to help readers notice the choices available to them and decide what suits their space, habits and appetite for upkeep.

Try, notice, adjust

Our voice is that of a weekend tinkerer: curious, playful and honest when an idea may not suit every space. We favour clear explanations and low-pressure experiments over grand makeovers. Where a task depends on building conditions, specialist skills or local requirements, readers should seek appropriate qualified or local guidance rather than treating an article as a substitute.