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Adam Robinson on designing an outdoor space for winter
“Everyone feels better in nature,” says Horticulturist, Stylist, Landscape and Interior Designer, Adam Robinson. “If we can have that daily check in with nature, it can heighten cortisol levels and help with your mental wellbeing.”
Over the last decade, Adam has helped countless clients to reap all the rewards that nature brings by connecting to it in their own backyard. Just like his clients in Sydney who wanted to increase the functionality and versatility of their harbourside garden.
With clever plant selections and pieces from the KING Outdoor Collection, Adam created a winter oasis, perfect for outdoor entertaining.
The Olive Outdoor 2 Seater Dining Table in Slate (top) and Salt (legs) is crafted to nurture conversations. Design for your lifestyle
Adam says that garden design should always start with your lifestyle requirements.
“When working with clients, I always start by asking lots of questions,” explains Adam. “Have they got a family? Dogs? Are they entertainers? Do they like to dine outside? Or lounge? Do they want a barbecue?
“Talking all of this through really helps my client to open up so I fully understand what they’re aiming towards.”
For this client, Adam introduced a fire pit into the garden to help them connect with the space.
"They’re busy working professionals and they weren’t using the space as much as they would like,” says Adam. “As soon as we lit the fire, it drew them to the backyard and it helped them to slow down. A fire is so grounding, especially when you’re surrounded by all of these beautiful plants.”
The same principles also apply to the furniture you choose for the space. In a smaller space, you may need to choose between lounging and dining, depending on your lifestyle requirements. For a larger space, you may have more flexibility to include both.
“With outdoor furniture, it’s important to think about how it will wear in the elements,” says Adam. “The King guarantee gives you peace of mind that your furniture will last.”
A masterclass in simplicity. Pictured left is the Luna Outdoor Chair in Eucalyptus with seat pads in Malibu Eucalyptus.
Chase the sun
While winter and the sun don’t go hand in hand, you can still catch glimpses of the sunshine through the cooler months.
Shot on a beautifully sunny Sydney winter day, this garden is a prime example of the unique quality of Australian light. The sun is one of the biggest influences on the Australian love of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle and in winter the light takes on a stunning golden tonality.
Adam suggests considering where the sun will be throughout the garden and designing for this to maximise all it has to offer.
“We gravitate to the sun, particularly in winter,” says Adam. “If you’ve got a spot in the garden that gets lovely winter sun, you can sit there and enjoy your morning coffee or unwind in the afternoon. With the sun on you, it can almost feel like summer”
In this garden, Adam introduced an oversized cantilever umbrella. During the cooler months, the umbrella stays closed. In the heat of the summer, it provides much needed shade and protection from the sun.
"An umbrella is a cost-effective way of providing that flexibility over both summer and winter,” explains Adam. “It’s adjustable so you can tilt it as the sun moves and then fold it away when it’s not needed.”
The Zaza Outdoor Sofa in Malibu Eucalyptus perfectly embodies quintessential Australian style.
Versatility, always
Linking back to your lifestyle needs, Adam recommends choosing versatile furniture pieces that can be used in different ways.
Like the Olive Dining Table that can also be raised to create a cocktail style table and paired with the Quay Outdoor Soft Barstool. Even the fire pit Adam used in the design has a lid that converts it into a coffee table for when not in use.
“I always talk about sofas as being either a half hour or four hour chair,” says Adam. “The Zaza Outdoor Sofa definitely has the comfortability of a four hour sofa. It’s the type of sofa that you can sit on for a whole evening by the fire.”
Adam also recommends versatility in choosing the plants in your garden. For this harbourside location, he used succulents, rosemary, citrus plants, aloes and grasses that can withstand the Australian climate.
“There are also some beautiful plants that flower in winter,” says Adam. “We used aloes in this garden but other options are anemone, osmanthus, kalanchoe, and pieris.”
With clever plant and furniture choice, Adam has created a winter garden that balances versatility, functionality and style. It’s not hard to see why he is so highly sought after for his design prowess.
Luna Outdoor Chair in Eucalyptus with Seat pads in Malibu Eucalyptus rests next to the Lode Ottoman.
Adam's top tips for winter garden design
- You don’t want your garden to become a burden so think about the size of your lawn and how much time you’ll need to spend maintaining it.
- Place your furniture on paving pads to blur the lines between hard and soft elements in the garden. Plus, you don’t need to mow under the furniture, giving you more time to enjoy the space.
- In smaller spaces, avoid chunky furniture and instead choose furniture that breathes in the space, such as the Luna Outdoor Dining Chair.
- Deciduous trees are a great option as they provide shade in summer and let the sun in during winter. But, like lawns, they do require maintenance when they drop their leaves in autumn. Evergreen shrubs are a good, lower maintenance alternative.
- When choosing fabrics for your outdoor furniture, we usually go with plain fabrics. It’s not as obvious if they fade in the sun as it would be with a patterned fabric.
For more landscape design and styling advice, follow Adam Robinson on Instagram @adamrobinsondesign.
