How to Decorate Your Garden for the Summer

Create Zones For Different Activities 

Whether for sunbathing, dining or even an outdoor cinema spot, creating places to enjoy different activities will help you decide on the decor you need. Cushions and comfort for relaxation activities will widely differ from dining tables and accessories. 

Take Home Comforts Outside 

Your outdoor space is an extension of your home, so its design should be given the same thought and attention as any other room. While the warmer months often see us taking interior inspiration from the outside world, for your garden, we’d advise doing the opposite. 

Start by thinking about the pieces that make your life most comfortable and look for outdoor-friendly alternatives. A wrought iron side table will add a gorgeous touch to your garden and provide a place for drinks and books to stay safe, and a comfortable outdoor garden armchair is a must.

 If you’ve got lots of room to play with, consider dedicating one area to dining, for example, and another to relaxing. This will align your space with the rest of your home, with separate “rooms” for different activities. 

Be Prepared for Every Forecast 

British summers never fail to surprise (and yet, somehow, be utterly predictable). All-weather accessories provide an easy way to decorate your garden without the worry of sudden downpours. Outdoor cushions will provide colour and comfort come rain or shine. Consider dedicating a couple of throws to outdoor use, too; while you won’t be able to keep them outside all the time, they will come in handy on cooler evenings when the sun sets or as makeshift blankets for at-home picnics.

In the rare event that Britain really sizzles, you’ll want to seek some shade (and some Factor 50). The perfect garden accessories for seriously hot days, our Hanway Garden Parasol and matching table-cum-base will keep you and your drinks cool as the temperature rises. 

Add Personality with Planters and Pots 

What’s a garden without some foliage? Whether your outdoor area is decked, paved or short on space, there’s always room for a little greenery – and pots and planters also offer an opportunity to add some character. Group planters of different sizes together for a display that will feel considered, or balance flower pots on a windowsill for an eye-catching row of colour. If you’re not blessed with green fingers, you could use your plant pots as garden ornaments instead – try filling larger designs with stones or dried Pampas grass, for example, and use smaller styles to decorate an outdoor dining table. Add an arrangement of your favourite faux flowers for a hassle-free display that can be enjoyed both indoors and out. 

Let There Be Light 

When the sun sets, there’s no need to retreat inside; garden lights allow you to make the most of warmer evenings and, if done right, can give your outdoor space a romantic feel. While specialist outdoor fixtures can provide a more practical type of light, for moments that call for ambience, don’t underestimate the power of a candle.  

• Add tea lights, pillar candles or LED alternatives to garden lanterns for a soft shine; they look great arranged on patio steps or in the corners of a dining area. 
• Fairy lights strung on trees or along the edge of a gazebo will further add to the ambience – all that’s missing is a group of friends and a cocktail with which to raise a toast. 
• Path lighting for safety and to provide guidance across the different zones.