Sit Back & Soak Up Summer: Gardens & Outdoor Styling

Summer’s finally here and that means it’s time to make the most of sunny moments and warm evenings. So, what are this year’s must-have garden essentials and how do you style your outside space? We asked our resident interior design expert, Rebecca Jones from Edward Thomas Interiors for her top tips…

1. What’s trending now in garden/outdoor space styling?

Making it an extension of your home so there’s a coherent look between indoors and outdoors. You can achieve this by using furniture with the same profile, shapes and lines, and choosing materials and fabrics in complementary colour palettes. Then start to layer your accessories. This could be with basics like cushions and throws to extend the cosy, lived in look, or by adding vintage pieces such as old watering cans, terracotta plant pots and bird feeders to lean into the nostalgic, ‘grandma garden’ style that’s trending.

2. Are there any must-haves when it comes to garden furniture?

A mix of seating works best. For alfresco evenings, go for a decent size dining set so there’s room for family and friends. For a morning coffee or cheeky glass of wine, a painted metal bistro table and chairs is perfect. And for somewhere to curl up with a book or podcast, opt for a weathered wooden bench.

3. What outdoor lighting should we consider?

Solar and rechargeable lights are a great, sustainable option as they can be placed and replaced to complement how the space is being used. As with inside the home, layered lighting works well outdoors too. Think lanterns, garden candles and fire pits.

4. Are garden pods and summerhouses still popular or were these a Covid trend?

Yes definitely. The shift to hybrid and remote working means these aren’t just a pandemic trend. Having a dedicated space to use as a home office, or a place for hobbies or wellness, is still very desirable. Plus the best thing about these standalone spaces is they can be designed with a completely independent style so it gives you somewhere to experiment with different looks!

5. For compact spaces/balconies, how do you recommend styling these?

Be thoughtful and clever with your furniture and its placement. Adopt the ‘botanical bento box’ approach where every element has a purpose. Compact, multi-useable furniture is your friend here so maybe a foldaway bistro set or a comfortable seat with a slide out coffee table. Then use the vertical space and surfaces. Make a living wall, plant flowering climbers in pots and grow tabletop vegetables.

6. Where’s good to shop for garden furniture bargains?

Habitat at Argos offers great designer lookalike pieces, The Range has multi-piece rattan sets, and Amazon and IKEA have a brilliant mix of accessories, lighting and storage.