A Versatile Outdoor Entertainment Area for Parties Large and Small

August 20, 2024

Landscapes By Design commissioned Paul at Designscape to design an outdoor entertainment area that would stand out from the crowd. He certainly succeeded. This exceptional outdoor space took Supreme Winner title at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) awards 2025. Let’s take a look.

Paul Newman chose a sunken seating area to create a multi-level design that adds intimacy to a large space. The jacuzzi is on the right of the picture.

You only have to look at this Essex garden to see what a major undertaking it was for both Landscapes by Design and designer Paul Newman. Over 500 tonnes of soil were removed and replaced with 400m2 of turf and 30 cubic metres of concrete. With outdoor tiles, planting and a new lawn, an outstanding multi-use space for entertaining of all kinds was created.

A multi-use outdoor space

The client’s brief requested a great entertaining space with plenty of options, from intimate chats to large gatherings. The resulting design hits the brief perfectly. Relax with friends in the jacuzzi in the warm summer evenings, and immerse yourself in music and the cinematic experience from the garden TV sound system. To one side of the screen sits a very special retreat: the Apollo spaceship for an intimate, storm-proof hideaway.

A versatile outdoor entertainment space, with plenty of stools at the bar near an indispensable outdoor fridge under the counter. The intimate Apollo spaceship entertaining pod is in the background.

The bespoke fire table has space to rest drinks and food. It's faced with Astor Grey porcelain to match the outdoor flooring, with detailing in Smoked Oak Enhanced Grain Millboard.

A sunken seating area

The main focus is the large seating area. “I decided to sink the whole social area to create a cosy and welcoming zone,” says Paul. Sunken seating designs are a great way to break up a large expanse of hard landscaping, making it feel more intimate and less imposing. Putting the seating on three sides of the square, not only leaves space for the long bespoke fire table, but also makes it a comfortable spot from which to enjoy the 3.6 x 2.5m TV screen – all installed in time to enjoy the Olympics. Cleverly incorporated into the levels is the bar with a quartzite top and under-counter fridge, where guests may also seat themselves.

Porcelain paving for parties

Because it’s a garden created for parties, porcelain paving was an obvious choice. It’s a low-maintenance paving that is generally easy to keep clean, thanks to its density. Food and drink stains, even ones that have been left for a while, generally lift off more easily from porcelain than natural stone. The choice of grey porcelain paving not only showed an eye for current trends; it's also a good choice of colour to disguise dirt spread by a high footfall. “We selected Astor Grey and Anthracite porcelain,” says Paul. While Astor Grey is the main colour, Anthracite provides contrast in colour and also in size, with its 800x800mm dimensions.

Anthracite 800x800mm porcelain paving adds detail to this section of Astor Grey paving, and acts as a landing strip for the steps.

The Smoked Oak Millboard Enhanced Grain composite decking adds texture to the paved area in front of the TV.

Also low maintenance is composite decking, used in paved areas and as cladding. “We added accents of Smoked Oak Enhanced Grain Millboard for the jacuzzi walkway and fire table details,” adds Paul. “It’s a pleasing combination that works really well and provides a relaxing and calming palette when combined with lush planting.”

A space for all seasons

Planting is sculptural, providing a strong contrast in shapes, with raised planters employed to help delineate the different entertainment zones. Foliage softens the feel of the area, as well as adding a cooling ambiance. And what would an entertainment space be, if you couldn’t use it any time? Hidden LED lighting has been installed, creating gentle illumination for evening parties while, to ensure all-weather protection, electric canopies can be deployed to protect the seating, bar and jacuzzi.

Architectural planting adds contrasting shapes and a natural feel to the expanse of hard landscaping.

Highlighting the architectural planting with night-time illumination gives a different character to the space at night.

Stuart Reid, of Landscapes by Design, is delighted with the success of the build. “It was a challenging build from start to finish, from landing the Apollo to the last light fitting. Team LBD excelled in their skills and attention to detail to achieve the superb finish that the client and the design deserves. The London Stone quality really helps in the detail. The ‘can do’ attitude that LBD apply to every job brought the stunning Designscape concept to life. “ This outdoor entertainment area has something for everyone. If you'd like one of your own, albeit on a smaller scale, take a look at How to Design a Garden for Entertaining.

About DesignScape and Landscapes By Design

Designscape

Designscape is headed by Paul Newman, a member of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and the Professional Garden Consultants Association (PGCA). “My background is in landscaping,” says Paul, “and I have designed and built some great gardens over the last 30+ years.” Paul started offering high-end design and landscaping services to residential and commercial clients in 1993, when he set up Paul Newman Landscapes. He eventually ceased landscaping to concentrate on design and consultancy. By then, he’d collaborated with Landscapes By Design for a number of years on a series of projects. “Our partnership works really well,” he says. “So when I moved my focus to design and consultancy, I naturally wanted to connect with Landscapes By Design.”

Landscapes By Design

LBD Director, Stuart Reid, left the City and enrolled at Writtle College to hone his landscaping skills and over 20+ years has built up an outstanding reputation, producing bespoke, award-winning gardens, with care and attention to every detail. Now ‘off the tools’, Stuart has built up a skilled team, led by Rob Giles, at Landscapes By Design, and they continue to build with the same enthusiasm that first brought Stuart into landscaping. With thanks to DesignScape and Landscapes By Design for their help with this article. Post updated: June 2025