Make Your Garden into the Perfect Summer Retreat

Booking a holiday is not quite as easy as it was in the past. With airport chaos, rising travel costs and varying covid restrictions across the globe, many people are still opting to stay at home for their holiday. So, why not make your garden into the perfect summer retreat?

Here’s a list of hints and tips to help you create a vibrant, practical and liveable outdoor space:

· Your garden sanctuary
How will your garden be used over the summer months and by whom? If you have a young family and you’re desperate for a peaceful cuppa and a good read, then screen off a corner of your garden to create a private nook. If you’re a couple who regular entertain, then make your garden furniture a main focal point. Surround a patio with plants, a stylish water feature or fill raised beds with fragrant flowers for eye-catching displays.

· Zoning out and in
With so much noise in the outside world, it’s important to create a relaxing area where you can zone out of the daily hustle and bustle. But when it comes to entertaining, you also want to be able to zone in and focus on your guests. So, think about different ways you can divide up your garden. Position a stylish garden dining table and chairs as the heart of your entertaining zone. Use a rattan outdoor sofa to create a relaxation zone.

· Hard landscaping
Whether you’re a patterned Moroccan tile fan or you prefer slick slate slabs, your choice of hard paving needs to key in with the overall mood and theme of your garden. You could create a path leading to a serene sanctuary area at the end of the garden. Think about how any hard landscaped areas complement your outdoor furniture and other features. Link the areas with shrubs, bushes and plants so there’s a sense of flow.

· Inspiring outdoor structures
From pergolas to summer houses to sheds converted into an outdoor bar, there’s so many ways you can get creative outside. Timber structures have a more rustic appeal, while elegant metal structures are great for lawned areas as they won’t rot in damp conditions. Fill with cushions, bean bags and rugs to create a cosy ambience. Use garden fairy lights or solar lamps for a gentle glow so you can relax in the evenings.

· Comfortable seating is key
How you are seated will determine just how comfortable you will be. After all, you’ll be spending long lazy days in your summer garden, so make sure you choose high-quality garden furniture with lots of padding, so you can kick back and while away the hours. Think about how many people you will need to seat. If you enjoy dining al fresco, consider an outdoor dining table. If you prefer outdoor lounging, choose a low table.

· Creative textures and furnishings
Rattan is all the rage this summer, so why not let a rattan sofa or rattan dining set take centre stage in your summer retreat? Match to rattan placements or offset with seagrass baskets for a natural, boho-chic look. Draw the eye with terracotta pots filled with interesting foliage. Evoke people’s senses with strategically placed wooden planters filled with scented plants or herbs. Place trailing plants above in twine and rope hangers.

· Colours for relaxation
Your garden colour palette is so much more than just picking colourful flowers and plants. Connect every area of your garden with a colour scheme that matches the mood you want to create. Neutral shades offer a more serene and peaceful colour scheme. Add the odd pop of colour by matching cushions and accessories to vibrant flowering plants like lupins, delphiniums, alliums, peonies or a rose bush to add a fragrant air.

A few simple touches can really enhance your garden, making it a much better space for you, your family and your guests to enjoy. Adding luxury garden furniture is the key to creating a space that can be used for both relaxation and outdoor entertaining. Use your garden furniture to divide the space in a way that works best for you and your lifestyle.

For more tips on how to design and plan your garden, read our previous blog, 10 Top Tips to Get Your Garden Summer Ready.

Our garden furniture collection is perfect for home entertaining. Choose from a wide range of rattan garden dining sets and garden sofas, seating between eight and ten people. Contact our customer service team for advice using our online web chat tool.