The UK is no stranger to spring and summer showers – our weather is famously unpredictable, and as we race into peak outdoor living season, it’s worth learning how to host outdoors when it’s raining.
The best outdoor living room ideas should, ideally, be weatherproof in the UK. A covered seating area is key to making a space usable year-round, rain or shine, and there are plenty of ways to protect it from the elements.
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1. Get creative with a pergola
(Image credit: Future/Megan Taylor)
If you’re wondering how to host outdoors when it’s raining, you’ll want to take a look at some pergola ideas. Structures that come with a retractable roof, like this Klikstrom Alizé Square Pergola from B&Q, are ideal for protecting guests from the elements.
‘Invest in a pergola with a roof you can put on and off again,’ agrees garden designer Zoe Claymore.
You can even buy pergolas with side panels, like this Outsunny 4m x 3m Metal Pergola from Wayfair, which provides a more effective shield against the rain when it’s windy.
‘Lightweight shelters like mesh greenhouses or pop-up gazebos simply aren’t designed for prolonged exposure to wind, rain, and frost,’ says Andrew White, outdoor expert at Harbour Lifestyle. ‘Permanent alternatives, like pergolas, offer year-round protection while instantly elevating the look of a garden.’
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Brendan Sail Shade Cedar Wood Outdoor Patio Pergola
This 3.7m x 3.1m pergola comes with a canopy and powerport (USB and USB-C ports).
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Blue Elephant Mandalc Aluminum Pergola With Canopy & Reviews | Wayfair.co.uk
Perfect for creating covered hosting space next to the house.
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4x3m Full Cassette Electric Retractable Awning for Patio Door Window
A retractable awning offers the same sheltering benefits as a pergola, but can be hidden away when you’re not using it.
2. Go for a gazebo
(Image credit: Future/Adam Carter)
Andrew advised against pop-up gazebos, but sturdier models are well-equipped for hosting outdoors when it’s raining. They make fantastic garden shade ideas in the summer, too.
‘Aluminium-framed gazebos with louvre roofs are becoming more and more popular, giving you the freedom to control shade and shelter from rain with ease, no matter what the unpredictable British weather has in store,’ says Darren Craven, furniture lead at British Garden Centres.
‘For a lighter, brighter feel, polycarbonate roof gazebos with aluminium frames are a top choice. They provide shelter while maintaining an open, airy atmosphere, making them ideal for summer afternoons and evenings at home.’
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This Outsunny Polycarbonate Hardtop Gazebo from Debenhams has an aluminium frame and curtains.
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Polycarbonate Hardtop Gazebo With Aluminium Frame and Curtains
Gazebos with curtains are perfect for blocking rain and sunlight.
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Another beautiful gazebo with elegant beige curtains and a UPF50+ roof.
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Palram Canopia Ledro 4300mm Rectangle Grey Garden Gazebo
If you’re looking for an investment piece, this elegant gazebo acts like a garden room.
3. Use your greenhouse
(Image credit: Future PLC/Jenny Wood)
Now this is an interesting one – if you have a large enough greenhouse, Zoe says you could try out a new outdoor hosting trend.
‘Greenhouse entertaining is now a thing,’ she says. ‘Think Petersham Nursery vibe.’
You could decorate the inside of your greenhouse with fairy lights like these warm white ones from Amazon to make it feel cosier after dark, and even throw in a bench, seats and an outdoor coffee table, if you’ve got the room. That’s why I think greenhouses are worth the investment – they double up as planting and hosting space, whatever the weather.
4. Build a garden room
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)
Garden rooms are certainly an investment, but a worthy one if you’re a keen host.
“We’re seeing a gradual increase in requests for garden rooms that celebrate communal experiences,’ says Melissa Quinney, garden room expert at Cabin Master. ‘Think supper club-style evenings, and lively get-togethers with friends and family.’
Melissa says you can design your garden room in favour of dining, lounging, board games, casual drinks, or movie nights. They’re a fantastic way to host outdoors when it’s raining if you don’t mind transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces.
This Mercia Maine Summerhouse from Argos includes a side shed for storage (perfect for stowing away cushions when it starts raining!).
5. Pop up a parasol
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)
If you tend to host small groups of people at a time, a simple parasol could be enough to keep everyone dry when it rains.
You could go super budget-friendly with a stylish parasol like this Habitat Sunbeam Garden Parasol from Argos, or invest in something like the Outsunny 4.6M Sun Umbrella from The Range to cover larger outdoor living areas.
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Habitat 2.7m Water Repellent Garden Parasol – Cream
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Habitat Shanghai 2.7m Garden Parasol – Taupe
Go for a taupe parasol for a sleek look.
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3m Large Square Canopy Rotatable Tilting Garden Rome Umbrella Cantilever Parasol
A much larger parasol that you can tilt and rotate.
If you’re hoping to upgrade your outdoor living space this year, there are plenty of ways to make a patio look expensive on a budget.
Make sure your garden is ready for whatever the UK weather throws at it this summer.
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