Bring the inside outside for summer

Homeowners should "soften the division" between their house and garden in time for summer, it has been claimed.

Property developer George Wimpey explains that many new homes present the opportunity for the owners to treat them as a "blank canvas".

But where the interior becomes the exterior, careful judgment is advised in order to blend the two spaces seamlessly.

The developer suggests wooden floors to allow for easier cleaning in areas accessible directly from the garden, such as hallways or conservatories.

Interior design company Connections In Design has compiled a list of such tips on behalf of George Wimpey.

Pat Nightingale from the design firm suggests: "Soften the division between the inside and outside space by blending your colour scheme into the garden with plant pots and lighting."

Connections In Design also recently provided services to property developer Barratt Southern Counties for its Watercolour project in Surrey.

The developments showhome centres on a dining room linked to the garden of the property via a conservatory with French doors.