Embrace outdoor living this spring with clever life-proof cushions, rugs and throws

April can be a very changeable month when it comes to the weather, with the old saying
of ‘March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers’ still an accurate summary of
an average spring here in the UK! However, this year we have been lucky to get lots of
sunshine and nice weather, with farmers and gardeners now keen to see more rain in
the forecast to get crops and flowers growing. A particularly warm and sunny Easter
weekend meant people were heading out to their gardens ready for family gatherings,
BBQs and even just to spend the extra time off sunning themselves in peace and quiet
(perhaps with a mini egg or two for sustenance!).

Here at Heugah we’ve noticed more and more homeowners investing their money and
time in transforming outdoor living spaces. From creating an outdoor seating area
complete with rugs, cushions, throws and lanterns and amazing open air garden
‘cinemas’ with projectors and screens to high-spec outdoor kitchens with fridges, grills
and pizza ovens, alfresco living is becoming big business.

This trend means the UK is starting to catch up with our American, Australian and
Continental European counterparts, who have embraced outdoor living in a big way for
many years. Of course, a lot of that is down to their climate, with less rain or much
higher temperatures which dry everything out rapidly after a downpour. It makes it a lot
easier to plan an outdoor gathering when you have 300 days of sunshine a year!

But, thanks to some clever new fabrics and materials, even those of us subjected to the
changeable weather of the British Isles can upscale our patios and decking. Outdoor
rugs, cushions and throws ideally need to be stain resistant (gardens + rain = mud!), UV
resistant to prevent fading, mould and mildew resistant (it can be damp in the UK!) and
washable. That means it’s not recommended to take your favourite woollen rug
outdoors unless you’re planning to throw it away at the end of the summer!

So, if you’re on the hunt for ways to create a comfortable, stylish and sociable outdoor
living space, here are some top picks to take a look at. They are all designed for use
both indoors and outdoors so that you can enjoy them year after year – even if it’s not
always perfect summer weather.

Hug Rug Woven Cushions

The Hug Rug Woven cushion collection is perfect for cosying up indoors on a cold
winter’s day or for making outdoor seating (or the ground!) a little more comfortable in
the summer. The cushions are crafted from100% recycled plastic bottles which are
woven into a fabric which looks and feels just like wool. That innovative and planet-
friendly fabric also lends these cushions the properties they need for outdoor use, as
mentioned above. Choose from lots of different colours and patterns from a vibrant and
summery lime green to classic navy herringbone. Shop Hug Rug Woven Cushions HERE:

Orla Kiely Indoor/Outdoor Rugs

Fancy making sure your outdoor living space is the most stylish in the neighbourhood?
Take Orla Kiely’s iconic mid-century style into the garden with this super range of rugs
which are perfect for using outdoors. Made from tough polypropylene they are water
resistant and can easily be spot cleaned if they get dirty. All you need to do is make
sure they are flipped over or removed from wooden decking in wet weather, in case
there’s a reaction between the rug and the wood. Other than that, simply sit back and
enjoy the beautiful designs while you sip on a cold one!

Shop all Orla Kiely Rugs HERE. Or all Indoor/Outdoor Rugs HERE.

Hug Rug Woven Throws & Rugs

If you love sitting out on a summer evening to enjoy every last ray of light before night
falls, you might need a blanket to throw over your knees or shoulders to keep the chill
off. Hug Rug Woven’s throws are ideal, and they come in the same shades and patterns
as the cushion collection. There are even indoor/outdoor rugs which match too, so you
can create a perfectly coordinated outdoor seating space and not worry if the soft
furnishings get damp or the dog takes a fancy to sitting on them with muddy paws!
Remember, all Hug Rug Woven items are resistant to stains, fading, mould, mildew and
more. Plus, they can be washed at 30 degrees to get them looking fabulous if they do
get grubby!

Shop Hug Rug Woven Throws HERE.