Christmas is fast approaching, and it is often a wonderful opportunity to dress up your home in a way that adds frivolity, fun and festivity.
It is also a time when family, friends and loved ones often visit, which makes having a garden room bar exceedingly useful as an all-purpose place to relax and socialise.
Thematically, it is also the perfect place to house a Santa’s Grotto, as many garden rooms can be decorated to make them look like the magical workshop where Father Christmas gets all of the presents ready for the big day.
First implemented by department stores, the beauty of the concept is that anywhere can be made to look a lot like Christmas, but it helps if you have a beautiful space in the middle of your garden that looks like it could be the subject of a beautiful Christmas card.
The versatility of a bespoke garden room makes it the perfect place to make extra-Christmassy, so here are some tips to transform your practical garden room into a winter fantasy land.
Deck The Halls
It is the season to be jolly, and whilst you are decking all the halls with boughs of holly, pay extra attention to both the inside and outside of your garden room.
Traditionally, Santa’s grottos tend to have quite thick fabric drapes or curtains hung around the main area where children would visit jolly St Nick, and whilst this was mostly a way to separate the grotto from the rest of the store or hall, it still looks great even in a small space.
Opt for some combination of red, green, white gold and silver when it comes to decorations, with a lot of options for tinsel, bunting and all manner of winter-themed decorations.
Finally, hang a few snowflake-themed decorations around to complete the effect.
Hang String Lights
One of the aspects that turns a festive space into a grotto is how uniquely they use lighting to create a cosy, small space.
They mostly do this by breaking the rules. Instead of focusing on daylighting and making the most of natural light, using small lamps, vintage-style bulbs, twinkling string lights, and other sources of light such as furnaces, creates a comforting ambience that actually feels like a cabin or a grotto.
Make It Feel Cosy
On the subject of lighting and cosiness, make your grotto feel warm and comforting with the help of a fireplace, but since installing an actual stove requires a chimney and regulatory approval, opt instead for an authentic-looking freestanding electric fireplace.
This not only helps to keep your grotto warm on even the harshest winter days but also creates another warm light source to add to that sense of childlike wonder.
As well as this, use thick soft rugs, cushions and throw pillows to ensure that people can enjoy that close-knit feeling that makes for the best Christmases.
Set Up A Throne For Santa
Everyone remembers the night before Christmas, making sure to leave a mince pie out for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph, so even if you do not plan to have a visit from him, make sure to create a little space for him to sit to complete the look.
A huge vintage armchair, such as a wing-back, is perfect, especially in burgundy, but if you cannot find a suitable chair, you can use a red or burgundy throw on top of a suitably imposing garden chair to get the same effect.
Place it on the opposite corner of the door; after all, Santa’s chair should be front and centre.
As well as this, set up a tree near where Santa would sit; this is perfect for photo opportunities, whether he visits or you have some decorations in place ready for him.
Have Hot Food And Drinks Ready
Whether you are a kid or young at heart, food and drink are a central part of Christmas, and it is essential to have a table of snacks and hot drinks at the ready.
Hot chocolate is perfect for the time of year, especially with marshmallows, whipped cream and sprinkles. As well as this, mince pies are always a festive favourite, as is gingerbread.
The best part of a lot of this is that you can use your existing garden room or garden furniture, as the addition of a throw, blanket and cushions can transform any seat into a place to rest at Christmas.
If you are mostly going to have adult guests, then add a few more sophisticated choices.