Home Décor Ideas: Preparing your garden for summer

Summer is supposedly on the way, or so we’ve been told, so how about getting a head start on prepping your garden for the season? We love to spend as much time as possible in our outdoor spaces in the summer, making use of our gardens, balconies and terraces; whether we use them for barbecues, parties, drinks or family gatherings (including the occasional water fight). We think it’s important to treat your outside space as an extension of your home, and one that you should personalise as you would any of your interior rooms.

Outdoor seating

Outdoor seating is a must for the summer months, as you migrate from your dining rooms to an alfresco style of eating. The great British barbecue is the most sought-after summer pastime, and we expect this summer to be no different. Get the seating right, and your guests will be happy to spend hours on end, soaking up some rays, however sparse they may be. Steer clear of the cheap plastic garden furniture and invest in something wooden, stylish and sturdy.

Fire pit

Now as much as we may all wish it, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll suddenly experience tropical temperatures this summer. Having said that, there’s no reason to stop enjoying your garden after dark on balmy evenings. Installing a fire pit, or purchasing a chimenea is an excellent way to keep people warm after the sun’s gone in and will encourage campfire-style singalongs and marshmallow toasting. For extra warmth and cosiness, ensure you have a plentiful supply of blankets on hand for people to wrap themselves in. Store them in a beautiful wicker basket that you can bring in should the heavens decide to open.

Cushions

Cushions are an excellent way of introducing colour and pattern into your outside space. Try mixing styles and sizes together for an eclectic look. If you’re aiming for a boho-inspired area, pick chic patterned fabrics with tassels and pompoms, like these playful Safomasi Festival cushions, for an on-trend look.

Fairy lights

We don’t know about you, but we’re suckers for fairy lights. There’s something overtly magical about those little twinkling lights, and we can’t get enough of them. Summer is the perfect time to wind them around verandas and gazebos or hide them inside foliage and lanterns for that midsummer night’s dream-esque glow. You could even pop them in mason jars and hang them from branches, and they’ll look light floating fireflies at night.

Dinnerware

Finally, since summer really is a season for entertaining, we think it’s high-time we upgraded from the flimsy paper plates that collapse every time you load them up with a jacket potato (we’ve all been there), and invest in some gorgeous melamine plates for a grown-up outdoor dining experience. Plastic dinnerware has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years, making it far easier to find beautifully designed plates, cups and cutlery specifically for outdoor use.