Gardens in the UK sit closer together than we'd like. Side privacy screens block the view from next door and cut the wind coming down the garden, turning an open veranda into a proper outdoor room you'll actually relax in.

When the sun's too much, blinds do the work. Above and below-roof blinds cut the glare overhead, while external blinds and sun protection panels shade the sides through the afternoon.

Infrared heaters mount discreetly into the frame and warm you, not the air around you — which matters outdoors. They'll stretch your evenings well into October and get you back outside from early spring, rather than just June to August.

Integrated LED spotlights sit flush in the beams, dimmable to suit the moment. Bright enough for dinner with friends, low and warm for a quiet glass of wine afterwards. No festoon lights strung up and no extension lead in sight.