Summer has a way of showing you what works in your garden and what does not.
You might notice the sun moving through the garden across the day, or where dappled shade from a favourite tree reveals itself in the afternoon. Perhaps you find yourself imagining a table that draws you outside for a long lunch, or furniture that feels like it genuinely belongs in the space.
The good news is that thoughtful, simple redesigns can do wonders for your garden, without needing an entire redo. A few sensible changes can make it easier to sit outside, eat outside, keep things tidy and enjoy the warmer weather without turning the space into a big project.
Set up a quiet place to sit
When most people think of spending time in the garden, they think of lounging on the patio. But it can be far simpler than building a large outdoor sofa set. You could add a bench or lounger to a sunny corner, a small table and two chairs by the back door, or a few moveable pieces that follow the sun through the day or settle under a favourite tree for a morning coffee.
The main thing is to put seating where you will actually want to sit. Think about when you use the garden most. If you like a morning coffee outside, choose a spot that gets early sun. If you tend to sit out after work, look for evening light. If the garden gets very hot, pick somewhere with natural shade or space for a parasol.
A good starting point is to measure the area before you buy, leaving enough room to move around the furniture comfortably. If space is tight, folding chairs, stackable seats or a slim bench can work really well.
For those with more room, it may be worth rethinking the patio as a whole. A casual dining set can change how the space feels entirely, making it somewhere you actually want to eat outside rather than just sit. Consider the shape of your patio as much as the size of the furniture. A round table can soften a boxy space, while a long rectangular one suits a terrace that runs along the back of the house.
Add shade where you need it
A sunny garden is lovely, but too much direct sun can make parts of it hard to use.
If your patio gets warm in the afternoon, it’s worth thinking about shade early on. A multi-stem tree in a large pot is one of the nicest ways to bring it, casting dappled light across a seating area and adding something living to the space.
Pay attention to where the sun hits during the day. A garden dining set that looks perfect in the morning may miss the sunshine in the afternoon. Think about when you are most likely to use the space, then position the furniture somewhere that will feel comfortable at that time.
Bring in some summer colour
Plants are one of the easiest ways to make a garden feel ready for summer.
Pots are a good starting point because they are flexible. You can place them around seating areas, by the back door or along a path. Larger pots are often easier to manage than small ones because they dry out more slowly; and the material of the pot can make a big difference too. Terracotta, for example, is breathable so doesn’t retain moisture in the same way as a glazed pot, it’s also great for keeping plant roots cool in the summer. Pots can also add colour to gardens all year round when plants and trees may not be in their flowering season.
Garden furniture can bring colour to a space in its own right, through weaves, frames and finishes. The key is making sure any colour feels considered alongside the other elements of the garden, rather than competing with them.
Planting can do a lot of quiet work in a garden too. Tall grasses or shrubs along a fence line can soften the boundary and make a smaller space feel more generous, while a well-placed pot or two can bring life to a forgotten corner or an awkward nook.
Climbers can cover a plain wall, and herbs near a dining area are as useful as they are lovely, easy to pick when cooking outside. As a general rule, a few healthy, well-chosen plants will always look better than lots of pots that are hard to keep on top of through the summer months.
Keep the garden easy to look after
Not every garden needs to be high maintenance to look good. Shrubs, perennials and grasses bring structure and interest across the seasons, and many are surprisingly hardy through the summer months. A layer of mulch helps the soil hold on to moisture and keeps things looking neat with very little effort. Edging borders and lawns is one of those small tasks that makes a big difference to how tidy and considered a garden feels.
Choosing the right furniture material can make all the difference when it comes to creating the look you are going for:
- Wood is timeless and with a little seasonal care can look beautiful in any garden
- Metal brings a more contemporary feel with aluminum used for natural rust resistance. Steel when used is powder coated for UV and rust protection. Balanced with sintered stone or ceramic glass, these can add great durability for everyday life
- Rattan from Gardenesque comes in all weather weave materials that have character and tone variation without compromising on durability and weather resistance.
Cushions are another thing to think about early. Outdoor cushions still need somewhere dry to go. A storage bench, cushion box or shed shelf can make a big difference. Equally you can opt for furniture that is comfortable enough to be used without a cushion.
Make summer evenings easier with lighting
Lighting can help you use the garden for longer once the sun starts to go down.
Start with the practical areas. Light the back door, steps, paths and any part of the garden you use in the evening. If you eat outside, add lighting near the table. If you walk down to a shed or garden room, make sure the pathway is considered and flows throughout the garden.
Wall lights, string lights, solar lights and low-level path lights can all work. The right choice depends on the garden. Solar lights are simple to add, but they need enough daylight to charge. Wired lighting is more reliable, but it needs proper installation.
An outdoor fireplace or firepit can add a lot of this ambience by itself; it brings warmth, light and a natural focal point to the garden.
Create a considered outdoor cooking area
You do not need a full outdoor kitchen to make cooking outside feel easy and enjoyable; a kamado barbeque, a small prep table and somewhere to set plates down is often all it takes to make the experience feel considered rather than improvised. Create a patio with good flow between your kitchen and garden in order to make the space feel more easy to host in and an extension of the home.
If you have a larger space or a seating area further from the house, an outdoor kitchen is a wonderful way to create a more open and relaxed dining experience, bringing everything you need outside so the cooking becomes part of the occasion.
Keep the barbecue on a stable surface and away from fences, sheds and overhanging plants. Make sure there is space for the person cooking to move around safely. If you use the barbecue often, storage for tools, charcoal or gas bottles will help keep things tidy.
Think about where smoke will go as well. A barbecue placed too close to the seating area can become annoying, especially if the wind often blows in one direction.
Add a few wildlife-friendly touches
Small wildlife-friendly changes can make the garden feel more alive during summer.
You could add pollinator-friendly plants, a bird bath, a small log pile or a patch of longer grass. These changes do not need much space. Even underplanting trees with lavender, salvia or herbs can attract bees and butterflies.
If you want birds to visit, place feeders where they are safe from cats and easy for you to see. Keep water topped up in hot weather. Adding a water source to the garden in the form of a birdbath can also help encourage wildlife whilst also adding to the aesthetics of the space.
This can also make the garden easier to manage. A small relaxed area with longer grass or simple planting can reduce mowing and add interest at the same time.
Do a quick garden reset before summer starts
Clean the patio. Cut back overgrown plants. Check boundaries, gates and decking. Refresh older pots, give furniture a seasonal clean and anything that has been sitting in the corner for months. You may find that the garden already works better once it has been cleared properly.
Consider adding a water feature
A water feature can add a quiet focal point to the garden, drawing the eye without demanding too much of the space. The sound of moving water has a way of making a garden feel more considered and calm. Like all good additions, it works best when it feels at home in the space, so think about colour and finish alongside your existing planting and materials, choosing tones that complement the wider palette rather than compete with it.
Getting the most from your garden this summer doesn’t have to happen all at once, through small decisions and new features you can start to build the space of your dreams whilst also enjoying the longer summer evenings. Start with how you want to use the space, and the rest tends to follow.
About the Author
Ali Wooldridge is the founder of Gardenesque, a Cotswolds-based outdoor living brand that champions traditional craftsmanship and ethical practices. She has travelled the world, using her keen eye for design and working with the best craftsmen, landscapers and factories to find timeless products that stand the test of time.
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