With the summer approaching, I want to create an outside sitting room. Bearing in mind the UK climate, what weatherproof products are available?
Outside sitting rooms are increasingly popular and there are a number of lighting and AV products available now to enhance them.
To create a cosy feel you will need to get the lighting right. There are a wide range of products available for external use which will allow you to create different lighting moods and scenes in your garden. Try John Cullen Lighting (020 7371 5400 www.johncullenlighting.co.uk) who can provide you with design services as well as a wide range of products from about £100.
For music you will need external speakers. Take a look at the weatherproof range from B&W (01903 221 800 www.bwspeakers.com), prices start at about £199 per pair. These speakers are designed to be fixed to a surface, either horizontally or vertically and provide great performance.
NACSound has a range of ceramic speakers that are very stylish and can be used externally; they are designed to be either sat on a surface or suspended from thin wires. Available in the UK through Pelham Technologies (0207 183 1949 www.pelhamtechnologies.com), prices start from £700.
When installing external speakers try and keep the speaker positions low and close to the sitting position to avoid upsetting your neighbours.
For the ultimate outdoor living room have a look at the weatherproof LCD TVs from Sanyo which will let you enjoy all your favourite programmes in the great outdoors (01923 477220 www.sanyo.co.uk). Prices start at about £2,000.
When installing any electrical items outdoors, I would recommend employing a certified contractor from an organisation such as the NICEIC (0870 013 0382 www.NICEIC.org.uk) to ensure that all devices are properly and safely installed.
Malcolm Stewart is co-founder of Kensington Home Technology,
a custom installation company
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