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Outdoor living space

How to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space this Summer

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Imaginfires
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Key takeaways:

If you’re looking to create an outdoor space you’ll use all summer long, we recommend introducing flexible seating for both relaxing and entertaining, with plenty of shelter to withstand the UK’s unpredictable weather. Install different types of lighting to ensure you can use the space after darkness, and if your garden is on the smaller side, add vertical planting and zoning to help maximise your space without overcrowding it. Most importantly, introduce a central feature such as a bioethanol fireplace to help anchor your layout, extend the usability of your space into the evenings, and create a natural gathering point that everyone can enjoy.

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Want to make the most of your outdoor space this summer, but not sure where to start? Many outdoor spaces have the potential to feel so much more inviting, more comfortable, and more enjoyable; but it can be difficult to know how to bring everything together.

The key is to approach your garden step by step. Rather than trying to do everything at once, focus on one area at a time and slowly build a space that works for how you actually want to use it – whether that’s relaxing outside on a sunny afternoon, entertaining your guests on those long, balmy evenings, or a bit of both.

Follow these easy steps to help transform your garden into a space you’ll naturally gravitate towards all summer long.

Step 1: Decide how you want to use the space

Before diving in and making any changes, take a moment to think about how you want your outdoor space to feel and function. This will ensure that your space feels intentional and well thought out, rather than rushed and random.

Ask yourself:

  • Will you use the space for relaxing, entertaining, or a bit of both?

  • Would you like designated areas for dining or lounging?

  • Where in your garden does the sun fall throughout the day?

Step 2: Give your patio a quick makeover

Once you know how you want to use the space, start by upgrading one key area e.g. your patio or main seating zone. Focusing on just one area first allows you to build momentum and set the tone for the rest of your garden. 

Quick patio makeover ideas:

  • Refresh your tired furniture with some new cushions or throws

  • Add an outdoor rug to define your seating area

  • Use planters to soften any hard edges and introduce seasonal colour

  • Repaint your fences to brighten up the space

Patio furniture

Step 3: Create zones to structure the space

With your main seating area refreshed, the next step is to organise the rest of your garden into clear zones. 

Typical zones include:

  • A seating or lounging area

  • A dining or entertaining space

  • A quiet corner for relaxing or reading

If you have a smaller garden space, you can use vertical elements like trellis panels or planters, or even introduce subtle changes in flooring, to help define each zone without making the space feeling closed in.

Step 4: Introduce a focal point, like a bioethanol fire

Next, you need to introduce a focal point, like a fireplace, to anchor the space and naturally draw people in. Bioethanol fireplaces produce real flames without smoke, soot, or ash, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits of a traditional wood-burning fire without any of the drawbacks. 

Why bioethanol fireplaces are perfect for UK gardens:

  • No smoke or fumes to worry about, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of real flames without stinking of smoke

  • No need for a chimney, flue, or gas connection, so you can easily place your biofire in your favourite spot 

  • Portable and flexible, meaning you can move your fire around your garden as you please

  • Extremely easy to maintain with just the occasional light clean required

  • Available in a wide range of contemporary designs to enhance your garden aesthetic

Step 5: Use shelter to extend your garden use

We recommend installing some form of shelter in your outdoor space, for example over your main seating area. This will allow you to enjoy your garden even when the weather isn’t on your side.

Popular shelter options include:

  • Pergolas with climbing plants or covers

  • Retractable awnings to control the shade

  • Parasolas for more compact patio areas

  • Screens to reduce wind exposure

Step 6: Install layered lighting for day-to-night living

Once you have your structures and shelter in place, introduce different types of lighting to help carry your space into the evening. The goal is to use lighting to make your space feel just as comfortable after sunset as it does during the day.

Outdoor lighting tips:

  • Add a combination of fairy lights, wall lights, and lanterns

  • Highlight key features like seating or planting

  • Use warm-toned lighting for a softer, more inviting feel

  • Illuminate your pathways and steps to make them safe at night

Garden lighting

Step 7: Add the final finishing touches

Now it’s time to add those final finishing touches to truly bring your garden to life. This will help your outdoor space feel loved and lived-in rather than staged. 

Simple finishing touches include:

  • Layer cushions, throws, and textured fabrics for extra comfort

  • Add scented plants or herbs for a sensory experience

  • Introduce decorative elements like lanterns or sculptures

  • Install a small water feature for added atmosphere

Bring your outdoor space to life with a bioethanol fireplace

One upgrade that will completely transform how your garden looks and feels this summer is a bioethanol fireplace.

At imaginfires, we offer a wide range of outdoor bioethanol fireplaces, from woodburner-style designs to more contemporary models, that give you all the ambience of real flames without the smoke, mess, or installation requirements of traditional wood-burning options. As the temperatures begin to drop on a balmy summer’s day, the flame draws people in and creates a natural gathering point, encouraging you to truly make the most of your outdoor space for longer.

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Ready to find the perfect centrepiece for your outdoor space?

Explore our range of bioethanol fireplaces

Frequently asked questions

  • Can bioethanol fireplaces be used in an outdoor space?

    Yes, bioethanol fireplaces can be used in outdoor spaces, providing an elegant and portable heating option. Here are some key considerations.

    Considerations for Using Biofires in an Outdoor Space

    • Weather Resistance: Choose a bioethanol fireplace specifically designed for outdoor use, as it will be built to withstand various weather conditions. Look for features such as weatherproof materials and durable construction.
    • In any case, always cover the biofire with a waterproof cover when not in use.
    • Residential Use Only: Remember that a biofire is intended for domestic/residential interiors. When used outside, the effect of the heat will be considerably reduced, and should instead be thought of as a pleasant aesthetic addition, rather than a main heat source.
    • Ventilation: Outdoor spaces generally have natural ventilation, but ensure proper airflow around the fireplace for safe combustion and to prevent the accumulation of fumes.
    • Safe Placement: Select a stable and level surface for placing the bioethanol fireplace. Keep it away from flammable materials, overhanging structures, or low-hanging branches.

    Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe installation and use of the outdoor bioethanol fireplace in your spaces. Enjoy the warmth and ambiance it brings to your gatherings or outdoor relaxation areas.

  • Do bioethanol fireplaces create smoke or soot?

    Bioethanol fuel burns with 98% efficiency, so when used correctly it is very clean burning and therefore does not produce any smoke, soot or nasty residues. 

    So what does ethanol produce when burned? Nothing more than carbon dioxide and water. You should never observe any smoke or soot coming out of your bioethanol fireplace. 

  • Do I need a flue or chimney with a bioethanol fireplace?

    Short answers are always nice, aren’t they? Do you need a flue or chimney with a bioethanol fireplace?

    No.

    Therefore, one of the most significant benefits of bioethanol fireplaces is their versatility. 

    You’re no longer constrained to gas or electric fires if you don’t have a chimney. And you can use a beautiful bioethanol fireplace anywhere - a house, a flat, a home office, a garage - basically, wherever you want to enjoy a cosy, warming flame. 

    And it won’t cost you a fortune to install your biofire. 

    In fact, installation is as simple as unpacking your biofire, placing it in your desired spot, and lighting it. Warm and cosy in less than an hour.

    Why don’t biofires need a flue or chimney?

    It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? A real flame and no flue or chimney. But it’s true. 

    Burning wood and coal produces smoke, soot, ash, and a LOT of mess. And wood and coal burning are heavily associated with air pollution in urban areas. 

    On the other hand, bioethanol fuel burns cleanly without polluting the air inside or outside of your home. And this means you don’t need a flue or chimney with a bioethanol fireplace — better for the environment and better for you. 

    Can I get a false flue for my bioethanol fireplace?

    Yes. We sell false flues that magnetically connect to the top of your biofire. The upper end of the flue curves to a right angle, making it look like your flue connects to the outside. 

    Of course, there’s no need for a flue with a biofire — but if you want that traditional woodburner look, complete it with a beautiful false flue. 

    What happens when you burn bioethanol?

    Bioethanol needs oxygen to combust, so it burns some of the oxygen in the room. This is why we recommend ensuring your room is ventilated — keep your internal door open to ensure airflow, or open a window every couple of hours if it’s feeling stuffy. 

    While it sounds a bit worrying that your fire uses oxygen in the room, it’s precisely the same with any fire: wood, coal, or bioethanol — they all produce flames that use up oxygen from the room. 

    What emissions do you get from burning bioethanol?

    We all know that wood and coal produce smoke, soot, and ash. These flames also send out tiny carcinogenic particles into the air, which can be health hazards, especially if you’re prone to respiratory problems. 

    However, the only emissions from burning bioethanol are:

    • Carbon dioxide — about the same amount as burning two candles
    • Water vapour — but you won’t notice it in the room. 

    That’s it. Just a little carbon dioxide and water vapour. 

    This makes bioethanol much safer and better for the environmentthan fossil fuels. 

    And your house plants will love it — they’ll absorb the carbon dioxide produced by your biofire and thrive! 

  • Can I move my bioethanol fireplace?

    Since many of our bioethanol fireplaces require absolutely no installation, these can easily move to different rooms or different locations. You can experiment as many times as you like. They are not fixed to one location!. Whichever room you decide to locate the bioethanol fire, please ensure that the room is well ventilated. This means not putting the biofire in an air sealed room, but in rooms that have some natural circulation.  Never move the biofuel fireplace whilst lit or with any biofuel inside the burner box. Always ensure that the unit has cooled completely before moving it. Allow at least 30 minutes for the stainless steel fuel box to cool.