There’s something special about spending time outdoors in summer. Whether you have a spacious garden, a cosy patio or a small balcony, a few thoughtful touches can completely transform how your space looks and feels.
From comfortable seating and colourful plants to affordable outdoor lighting and easy BBQ ideas, we’re here to help you create a summer paradise you’ll love spending time in.
Sitting pretty
Comfortable seating is key to creating a garden you’ll want to spend time in, whether you’re entertaining friends and family, or enjoying a relaxing cuppa with your feet up.
Make sure there’s enough seats for everyone with a spacious dining set perfect for leisurely lunches outside or evening dinner parties. Corner sofa sets are a practical choice for large groups, or families and will give you an extra room outside to enjoy in the warmer months. For smaller gardens, a bistro set offers a peaceful spot for morning coffee or a quiet evening drink.
For flexible seating that will please everyone, check out our Perata 5-in-1 modular set available exclusively online.
Easy Summer style
Giving your garden a summer refresh can be as simple as adding a few soft touches.
Think of your outdoor space as another room in your house. Outdoor cushions and rugs bring colour, personality and comfort and will help revive your garden furniture. Whether you prefer calming neutrals or bright shades, mix colours and prints together for an inviting space to relax.
Bring your garden to life
Plants play an important role in how a garden feels. Colour, texture and fragrance all help create a more relaxing environment.
Summer is the season for blooms, and a selection of well-chosen flowering plants like achillea, sunflowers, lupins, iris, lilies, phlox and salvia will fill your garden with scent and vibrant colour.
For patios and smaller spaces, growing in pots of different sizes is an easy way to add interest. For something more exotic, plant terracotta bowls with succulents or alpines to create striking, easy care features.
If you are spending evenings in your garden, it’s worth investing in a scented climber – like honeysuckle, rose or jasmine. Plant in containers, train into arches, or grow on a wall near your seating area so you can enjoy the fragrance while you relax.
Let there be light
As the sun sets, gentle lighting will create a magical, welcoming atmosphere in your garden.
Solar string lights add a soft glow, while stake lights guide the way along paths and borders. The beauty of solar-powered lights is they require no wiring and can remain outdoors all year round. Add decorative lanterns to tables, or hang them in trees, to create pockets of light that make your garden feel cosy and intimate after dark
Add some heat
As lovely as British summers can be, there not always predictable. A little extra warmth means staying outside for longer and enjoying more relaxed summer evenings in your garden.
Fire pits and chimineas add comfort and atmosphere. They’re a natural place to gather, whether you’re enjoying a drink with friends, toasting marshmallows with the kids, or having a quiet moment for yourself after a busy day.
Fire up the flavour
Cooking and eating outdoors is one of the best things about a British summer. It encourages a slower pace, bringing people together to share good food and good company.
Charcoal barbecues offer that familiar smoky flavour you don’t get from cooking indoors, while gas barbecues heat up in minutes and are really versatile – giving you the ability to grill, sear, bake or smoke your food. For smaller spaces, a compact pizza oven is a great way to enjoy outdoor dining without taking up room.
Make sure to plant some tasty home-grown treats you can add to your BBQ cooking – like a simple herb pot, tomato planter or a tabletop chilli.
