After what has felt like a 6 month long winter, we’ve had a lovely preview of summery weather recently and we’re ready for more sunny skies in the coming months. Winter coats packed away, sunscreen purchased and now it’s time to turn our gardens into beautiful, enticing spaces bursting with life and colour, because there really is nothing better than warm days and evenings spent outdoors.
I’m delighted to be teaming up with Wayfair to bring you inspiration for transforming your garden into a gorgeous space to relax, dine and entertain for a well-lived summer ahead. Wayfair has such an enormous range of outdoor products in so many styles that it is always my first port of call when I’m looking for something new. For this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite products for a fun sociable outdoor space that is both relaxing and invigorating, and great for entertaining – day or evening. I’ve gone with a relaxed urban style which is modern but informal, with happy colours and a chilled out vibe. Before we look at my product picks, let’s explore the decor ideas that would make you want to live in your garden as much as possible.
Whether your garden is big or bijou, it always helps to plan out the space, just as you would an interior. For example, in a small garden where the whole space can be viewed at once, consider dividing the space using planter boxes or trellises, thus creating different zones that keep the eye moving. Growing a variety of plants of different heights also enhances visual interest as well as adding the feeling of tranquility that comes with being around nature.
Lazy lounging and unhurried alfresco dinners call for comfortable furniture. If you have the space, it’s nice to have somewhere to sit at different points in the garden: sofa and dining areas on the patio, a bench a little further along, perhaps even an arbour in a far corner of the garden which is a great way to create a shaded seating space for a bit of quiet relaxation.
I love the lush, happy and comfortable atmosphere in the raised patio area above. You’d want to spend all day there if you could, wouldn’t you? And all evening too! Garden lighting creates a rather magical ambience in the evenings. There are many options for outdoor lighting, my favourites include string lights that can be hung on pergolas or fences or even around trees, spiked solar lights for lighting up a path or casting an upward light on large plants, and lanterns that can be placed wherever you want them.
If you’re spending your evenings outdoors, a chiminea or fire pit would be a fantastic addition to keep the party going into the night, and also great for making the most of your garden during chillier spring and autumn days. Be aware of fire safety and be responsible with fire. 🙂
Finally, a space for comfortable lounging needs soft furnishings. Outdoor rugs and cushions come in a myriad of colours and patterns, and are generally made of UV-resistant easy-care materials.
With these ideas in mind, I’ve put together my favourite outdoor products from Wayfair into a moodboard so you can visualise the look and recreate it in your garden if you like! All products are linked below.
Reed fence / Solar LED multi-function festoon and spiked lights / Rattan corner sofa and coffee table / Brighton Blue indoor/outdoor area rug / (on sofa) Akova outdoor cushion – floral; Akova outdoor cushion – cactus / (on coffee table) Green lantern; Brass vintage-style lantern; Black Aarhus lantern / Monochrome Mellie plant pot / Rectangular raised flower bed / White Advika reclining garden chair x2 / Sanga steel chiminea / (on chair) Akova outdoor cushion – toucan / Grey Gretel side table / (next to arbour) Lester round plant pot in green / Poseidon 2 seater timber arbour with swing seat / (on swing) Akova outdoor cushion – floral; Jasmine Estates outdoor cushion / (hung on arbour) Cozie hanging basket
Narrowing down from so many gorgeous products to create this moodboard was no easy task, I can tell you! So if there is a particular type of product you’re interested in, do check out Wayfair for more choice. What style do you prefer for your outdoor space? Do you have any favourites from the products or inspirations in this post? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂
This post is in collaboration with Wayfair. All ideas, opinions and words, as always, are my own.
That corner sofa is gorgeous, I’d love to snuggle up under a blanket next to the chimnea all summer long! Great picks x
Author
That would be absolutely perfect, Becky! I’d do the same if I could 🙂 xx
You’ve changed you name Meera!!! I thought I recognised your face but not the blog name 🙂
Such a lovely happy post — this is the time of year where I start getting the garden ready for summer (am keeping everything crossed that we DO, actually, have a summer this year)!! I love string lights in the garden too — so nice to sit out on a warm evening with twinkly fairy lights dotted around 🙂
Author
I’ve rebranded. 🙂 My fingers are crossed too for a good summer! Ah, I also love summer evenings outside with twinkly lights around ✨
Great round up, Meera. Do you use an app to create your mood board?
Author
Thank you very much, delighted you like it! I create my moodboards in my word processor (called Pages). xx
Thanks, Meera! 🙂
Author
You’re so welcome 🤗
Lovely post – fingers crossed for summer! I’m definitely thinking of twinkly lights this year. For the style, I’m torn between going for chic and glam or tropical. Maybe I can combine the two.
Author
Oh you can definitely combine those two styles in a garden! A few tropical patterns look great with chic outdoor furniture. My fingers are crossed too for a good summer! xx
Lovely mood board Meera! I really like the pot planter and the rug obviously as it is in our favourite colour 🙂 The outdoor cushions are a great idea too!!!
Author
Thank you very much, Anne Marie, Wayfair really do have so many gorgeous products! I love having cushions on outdoor furniture when we’re enjoying the garden 🙂
Can you believe this weather change?! I was SO ready for the warmer evenings, we went to the garden centre over the heatwave and it was busier than I’ve ever seen it and now I’ve been digging out all my winter things again haha!! Absolutely loving the inspiration though, amazing times will come for sure Xx
Author
I know, I haven’t been too happy about getting my winter coat out again. It will warm up soon, I’m sure. I hope. Thank you Lins! xx
i didn’t know there are outdoor rugs! Now I want one. There are some gorgeous ideas here. We are building a pergola at the moment so I was really delighted to see this post.
Author
Outdoor textiles are a great idea, aren’t they? Thank you Fionnuala, hope the pergola building is going well! xx
I’m determined to make my garden “happen” this year. All I have is a folding beach chair and a wooden mini table. So this is post comes at the perfect time. I wish my garden was as big as yours, though!
Author
That sounds exciting, Juan! It’s lovely to have an outdoor space where you can relax on nice days. Looking forward to seeing what you do :-).
This is the first house we’ve lived in that has a decent garden, all others before were barely more a patio or a small patch of lawn, so I definitely appreciate how special it is to have what we have. It’s a lot of work though, haha!
I love the raised patio and the brick, it’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Author
It sure is! Happy to hear you found inspiration in this post, Issie xx