Styling and maintaining your outdoor space in the tropics
We tend to think of outdoor spaces in Singapore as a luxury, but as an apartment-dweller myself, I think it’s important to recognise that most of us do have the luxury of outdoor spaces here – regardless of size. The beauty of living in this tropical climate is that it’s possible to enjoy outdoor spaces year-round. While we may have a fair amount of rain and high temperatures to work around, we don’t have to grapple with seasonal cold or snow.
With that said, there are a few tricks to making an outdoor space work in Singapore. Material selection and care are especially important when it comes to maximising the durability of your outdoor furniture. Read on if you don’t know your resin from rattan or can’t figure out how to keep rust at bay in this humid climate.
Understand your outdoor materials
Whether you want to use your outdoor patio for extra dining space or a single seat to watch the sunset, it pays to understand the materials best suited for our climate.
My personal preference for Singapore residences is to use synthetic resin (plastic) as it’s long-wearing, lightweight, affordable, weather-resistant, and rust-proof. I also like teak if you’re looking for a wood option, but be sure to protect the pieces with a waterproof sealant to up the longevity.
If your outdoor pieces will be kept mostly out of the sun and rain (such as in covered alfresco areas), feel free to look at pieces made from natural plant fibres (natural wicker) such as water hyacinth or kubu. Be warned that these pieces are susceptible to elemental damage over time.
Finally, some of you may be partial to stainless steel for a sleeker and more polished look. While stainless steel and even cast aluminium are weather-resistant, I don’t usually work with these outdoor pieces as they absorb heat easily and can burn the skin if you’re not careful. We get plenty of sunshine around these parts so I prefer staying away from these materials, especially if there are young children in the house.
Add an outdoor rug
I love outdoor rugs because they’re practical, affordable, and instantly perk up a space. I’ve been known to use them in high traffic areas indoors (playrooms and dining rooms, for example), but they really hold their own in outdoor spaces. Here’s why: rugs (even outdoor ones) soften the texture of the ground underfoot, lending the area a cosy, inviting vibe. They also help to define and ground a space; in a large space this means your furniture won’t look like floating, disparate pieces, and in a small space this can give the illusion of a larger area.
Get grass without the fuss
For those who prefer a more organic feel underfoot, consider artificial turf, which gives a similar finish to carpet grass without the fuss of watering or fertilisation.
Really go out of the box
I’ve worked on a few projects where the homeowners were short on indoor space. To make the indoors feel larger, we decided to bring the dining room outdoors. Just to be clear: this is not the same as creating a secondary, outdoor dining area. That is a wonderful privilege that many of us would love to have but unfortunately cannot afford.
Outdoor dining rooms are able to work in Singapore because the climate stays largely the same year-round. When creating an outdoor dining area, the two most important things are to combat heat and rain. I recommend installing blinds to keep harsh sunlight and rain out, and investing in a ceiling fan if possible. Standing fans can be purchased if the area is particularly warm.
Ambient lighting is a must
The same guidelines to decorating indoors apply to outdoor spaces. Ambient lighting is so important to outdoor areas because it creates a warm and cosy atmosphere, particularly conducive to evening drinks on the patio.
To create enough light and a flattering glow, try using at least three different light sources, but forgo overhead lighting as they tend to ruin the mood. Instead, try hurricane lanterns (candles), outdoor lanterns (electric), or tabletop candles. Low-level light nestled among foliage creates a magical feel, but if you’re renovating your space, consider built-in lights on the wall, along the steps, or even under built-in seating.
Small patio? Try hanging lights
A quick way to cosy up a space is to string lights up. The soft glow of these lights instantly warm up a space, even if you only have a cramped balcony.
Instead of fairy lights, try looking for LED globe string lights, which are more modern and sophisticated.
