Now that summer is finally just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about guests in your garden. No matter what size your outside space is, there are plenty of options for relaxed seating, formal dining, lounging or just coffee and a catch-up. The key is to consider your space as an outdoor living room, with functional furniture as well as all the finishing touches needed to add atmosphere and personality. From texture to tablescaping, it’s all about giving family and friends that full outdoor entertaining experience. Here’s how to get the look…
1: Get in the zone
Use different areas within your garden to create outdoor ‘rooms’ where you can relax, cook, eat and entertain. Start your zoning with the big-ticket items – furniture, including sofas, table and chairs, modular outdoor kitchens and so on – then add the finishing touches with outdoor rugs, cushions, lighting and tableware. Having defined spaces helps keep alfresco cooking safe out of harm’s way and allows you to position seating areas in the shade.
- Buy Santorini curve sofa set, £749, Striped outdoor cushions, £10 for two, large cushion in natural or navy cushion, £28, large ceramic lavender design plant pot, £12, all from George at Asda
2: Holiday at home
Make your outdoor table look as inviting as possible with a relaxed yet refined Mediterranean feel. Layers are key to creating an easy, breezy warmth inspired by coastal living and lazy summer days, enjoying great food and company with family or friends. Think soft blues, gentle greens and zesty lemon tones mixed with warm browns and natural textures. Striped tablecloths, ceramics and glassware never go out of style, and you can add jugs of fresh juice, platters for artisan meats and cheeses and huge bowls for salads and crusty bread.
- Buy Blue reactive glaze scalloped 12-piece dinner set, £40, Seagrass placemats, £4 for two, Striped highball glasses, £14 for four, Striped wine glasses, £16 for four, all from George at Asda
3: Style your seating
Having different styles of seating is great for making sure all your guests are comfortable. Armchairs with padded cushions are ideal for good back support, while benches can fit a lot of bods on and are perfect for children. Look for weather-resistant fabrics when choosing outdoor cushions or seat pads, and if you like to store your garden furniture in the shed or garage come autumn/winter, choose space-saving foldable designs.
- Buy Farmhouse garden dining table, £719.20 (£899 RRP), Farmhouse dining bench, £239.20 (£299 RRP), Harbour weave dining chairs (set of two), £322.15 (£379 RRP), tableware, from £6 for a Coastal side plate, all from John Lewis & Partners.
4: Live your best life
Being able to cook outside allows you to chat with your guests without being stuck in the kitchen and missing out on all the fun. You can create a DIY set-up with a BBQ and some sort of storage and serving station nearby, but a proper outdoor kitchen is much more practical and really elevates your hosting to another level. Wooden units have plenty of character and complement all patios and landscaping, while ceramic work surfaces are UV-, scratch-, stain- and extreme-temperature-resistant, perfect for British summers.
- Buy Grenada reclaimed teak wood garden 3 drawer grill table, £639 (£769 RRP) from Barker & Stonehouse
5: Light the way
Give your garden plenty of atmosphere after dark with layers of outdoor lighting. Whether you’re hosting a family barbecue, a special occasion with friends or an intimate evening meal, use different styles and heights of lighting to add interest. Candles, wreaths, festoon strings, lanterns and solar lights will all enhance your garden space and make guests want to linger long after the sun goes down.
- Buy Seaton lantern duo with TruGlow® candles, £49.99, 30cm pre-lit Blue Bloom outdoor wreath, £9.99 (RRP £14.99), 1.75m pre-lit Blue Bloom outdoor garland, £21.99, TruGlow® waterproof outdoor candle bundle, £79.99, Pro Connect 5m 10 warm white connectable festoon lights, £44.99, Hygge wicker-style solar lantern, £19.99, Confetti glass solar lantern, £19.99 all from lights4fun.co.uk
6: Think personality, not perfection
It can feel overwhelming sometimes when you’re planning a summer get-together, but just remember: it’s all about personality, not perfection. Your guests are coming to spend time with you, so don’t worry about whether the linen napkins are perfectly pressed. Instead, add lots of accessories that will make your life easier and save you from dashing back inside for extra glasses, a blanket or a cushion. Let everyone help themselves to drinks by supplying a big trug or bucket full of ice and bottles, stack glasses, have a pot of cutlery at the ready and add a few serving trays, then relax and enjoy!
- Buy Bora bistro set, £1,250; Cosma weave embroidered outdoor cushion, £35; Nocturne rechargeable LED table lamp in Rust, £75; Scalloped rattan trays, from £22, all from Cox & Cox
7: Make it work
Use whatever features your garden has to your advantage. This means setting your seating and/or dining area in a naturally shady spot. Of course, a parasol also helps, but use trees and hedges as nature intended and seek out shade for a safer and more relaxing occasion.
- Buy Wooden garden sofa set, £650; Ivy Stripe rattan accent chair, £120; Sunbeam 1.6m garden parasol in green & white, £30; Stripe outdoor rug (180cm x 240cm), £25; Stripe outdoor cushions in green or pink, £8 each, all from Habitat
8: Buy once, use it twice
You don’t need to splash out on a whole new kit for your garden hosting, and if budget is tight, look for accessories that you can use inside the home, too. You can’t go wrong with a simple cushion and quilt, perfect for chilly evenings outdoors and cosy nights in.
- Buy HAY Terrazza cushion, £75; HAY Air quilt in soft yellow, £209, both from Holloways of Ludlow
9: Every inch counts
Utilise every corner to make sure you get the most out of your garden when it comes to hosting. Whether it’s a small terrace, a spot of decking, a patio or a patch of lawn, simply add a table and some chairs or stools, and off you go!
- Buy Widford dining table, £1,040 (£1300 RRP); Widford dining chairs, £392 for two (£490 RRP), all Garden Trading (pictured) or Dashwood square bar table, £1,240 (£1550 RRP); Dashwood bar stools, £680 for two (£850 RRP); Dashwood bar stools with backs, £880 for two (£1100 RRP), all from Garden Trading
