As the weather begins to cool down, now is a great opportunity to revamp your outdoor space. In this article, we’ll share some inspiring garden design ideas and highlight stunning LifestyleGarden® products that will help you create a beautiful space for lounging or entertaining.
Find the perfect seating for your space
Whether you love sleek, minimalist seating or prefer a more luxurious woven style, there is plenty of choice out there to help you achieve both the aesthetic and the function you want.
If you only have a small space to play with or prefer intimate dining, there’s no need to add clutter with more than two seats. Depending on how you want to use your garden seating, you might consider a chic bistro set for maximum comfort, an elegant and efficient 2-seater sofa, or even the Portals modular sofa which comes complete with two sumptuous sofa chairs and a coffee square table for the ultimate lounging experience.
If pared-back elegance is what you’re seeking, then seating from any of our Portals, Amber, Panama and Topaz collections in dark grey or light coral sand is ideal – where you can take your pick from casual and formal dining sets, sofa sets and corner units.
But, if your outdoor area needs a splash of colour, then look no further than the Nassau range, with its striking bistro, dining and coffee sets, this collection is made from recycled plastic and is available in sage green, peony pink, honey yellow and coral sand white.
Create zones and balance
Zoning outdoor areas for seating, cooking, dining or play is a great way to use your garden to its full potential and even select plants that work best in each space.
For example, that spot that gets the sun right at the end of the day could be the perfect place for a small table and chairs and a selection of scented plants (wisteria, night-scented stock, evening primrose, jasmine or honeysuckle) that will release their fragrance long into the evening as you enjoy a drink or bite to eat.
Add soft lighting for extra ambience
Earmarking a zone for kids to enjoy is a great way to keep mess and play away from other parts of the garden where you might want to entertain or avoid any potential damage to plants and outdoor accessories from flying balls. Consider a tough grass variety for better wear and tear underfoot and, if you need furniture in the area, consider durable, low-maintenance materials that are easy to clean. Stacking chairs are another great idea, creating seating when needed for an activity or easily stored away when not in use, freeing up more space to have fun.
Weatherproof your area
The summer weather is anything but unpredictable, so it’s worth investing in something that will allow you to enjoy your outdoor area, come rain or shine. Sail shades, parasols and awnings are a great way to create shade in small spaces and stop guests from melting if you are entertaining during a hot spell.
Some heavy-duty sail shades even offer protection from the occasional downpour. Meanwhile, pergolas take this up a notch, helping you to create a stylish outdoor room with protection from sun, rain and wind.
Invest in a flexible dining solution
Plans change, unexpected guests turn up, people cancel, you decide to host a BBQ at the last minute or maybe even blow off friends for a romantic night just the two of you. You need a garden dining set that fits in with your lifestyle, not the other way around.
The demand for more flexible and versatile outdoor furniture is not slowing, which is why we have tailored our ranges to suit any and every dining space. Dining sets with stacking or folding dining chairs are perfect for adding and subtracting extra seating, as and when you need it. They are also a huge help when it comes to storage, taking up a smaller footprint and allowing you to tidy them away for winter without a second thought.
