SET THE SCENE Design inspiration to make the most of time in the garden

ABOVE Create the perfect spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of the garden – blankets and cushions offer comfort to a wrought-iron bench. Wrought-iron garden bench, from £725 and all textiles and accessories, Susie Watson Designs LEFT Give wooden furniture a lick of paint in a natural colour for a smart and long-lasting finish. Swing seat in Harley Green, £73.50 for 2.5l Intelligent Exterior Eggshell, Little Greene BELOW LEFT Rattan furniture is an elegant choice, and easy to move around to enjoy a tête-à-tête in the sunshine. Taransay three-piece lounge set, £499, Barker & Stonehouse BELOW RIGHT A linen tablecloth is an informal yet elegant choice for an al fresco lunch or supper, perhaps with freshly cut flowers from the garden placed in a pitcher to decorate. Ash pink linen tablecloth, £82, Rowen & Wren ABOVE RIGHT Bright stripes are a classic and versatile choice. Sun collection, from £55 to £79 a metre, Casul at Houlès RIGHT Echo country garden planting with a bright floral outdoor fabric choice. Manchu outdoor fabric, £44 a metre, Designers Guild FAR RIGHT Larger gardens can allow for a spot for dining as well as a seating area for relaxed drinks. A drinks trolley will minimise trips back to the kitchen for a top up. Moreton Kubu entertaining trolley, £396; and all other accessories, The White Company

Set the scene

Treat the garden as an extension of the home, decorating and accessorising to suit taste, location and lifestyle to make it a useful, comfortable and beautiful outdoor room

Country charm

This look should be about balance and feeling at one with the garden. From a bijoux cottage garden to a more rambling estate, rural properties often enjoy outdoor spaces with lots of different areas for outdoor living.

Create a spot for afternoon tea or family meals, or quiet contemplation, perhaps tucked away beneath some trees or beside a pond. Use a lawn for garden games or stretching out on a sun lounger, larger spaces might even afford a swing bench from which to listen to birdsong.

Traditional-style furniture in wood, wicker or wrought iron is ideal and works well with classic planting schemes of scented roses and cottage garden flowers.

Echo an abundance of flowers in the choice of textiles. Much like in a country house, the pattern mixing can be slightly eclectic, with florals, stripes and checks mixed with smart globally inspired choices, such as a paisley, ikat or chinoiserie. Keeping to bright, pretty colours found in the garden will ensure a setting that is relaxed yet considered, just as a well-evolved country sitting room would be.

PERFECT BALANCE Keep wooden finishes natural, or painted in tones of green, brown, pale, unobtrusive pastels, or white for freshness. An abundance of cushions and a wool blanket or two will provide ample comfort in a sunny spot.

Set the scene for a summer lunch with a linen tablecloth, napkins and white china. Create an informal centrepiece with cut flowers or arrange single stems in glass bottles along the centre of the table.

Formal areas warrant smarter seating, such as wicker sofas, and smaller gardens suit a wrought-iron bistro set for two. Place a bench in a secluded area to go to with a cup of tea, or reposition a deckchair to catch some warmth from the sun.

Key elements

• Floral patterns echoing cottage garden flowers • Classic furniture in rattan, wood or wrought iron • Different areas for dining, relaxing and socialising

Poolside glamour

For gardens that have the luxury of a pool, the opportunity for a taste of the tropics or a touch of tasteful glamour is available.

Beautiful sun-filled days by the pool can be transformed into feeling like somewhere far more exotic than the UK – perhaps a mood closer to the sophistication of the French Riviera, the cool chic of California, or the bright tropics of the Caribbean.

Have fun with bolder, brighter fabric choices – consider palm prints or tropical flowers, or smart, bold stripes. All white with a pop of bright colour – hot pink or zesty lime – can look splendid for a more contemporary take and work well to create a counterpoint in a classical setting.

When it comes to furniture, sun loungers are an essential by the pool, but consider setting up a table and chairs near the water as well for an interesting dining venue. Pool areas may also be exposed, so a generous parasol for shade is wise. A sofa and chairs are a good option for days when swimming and sunbathing are not on the agenda, but an afternoon cocktail and a catch up with friends most certainly is.

UP TO THE TASK Ensure fabric and furniture choices are suited to poolside use. A high-quality water-resistant fabric is key by the poolside in particular.

The range of outdoor fabrics has increased greatly over the past few years, with beautiful designs that offer fade-resistance in bright sunshine as well as being water-, stain- and mould-resistant. Several brands offer an indoor/outdoor fabric collection, including Designers Guild, Osborne & Little, Manuel Canovas, Thibaut, Zimmer + Rohde, No 9 Thompson, and Zinc Textiles, ensuring high performance and a wealth of choice for pattern. Samuel & Sons has even created special trimmings suited for outdoor use, perfect for adding some pizzazz to a stylish seating area.

Finally, make sure towels are co-ordinated with fabric choices for a perfectly considered finish.

Key elements

• Chic and glamorous, offering a taste of exotic climes • Practical, yet stylish, high-performance outdoor textiles • A range of seating options - sunloungers, of course, but consider a chic bar or sofa for social gatherings

FAR TOP LEFT Add a taste of the tropics with a bright fabric. West Palm, Kiwi on Spa Blue, £192 a metre, Thibaut TOP LEFT A jacquard stripe provides a smart cabana mood. Hammock stripe, £80 a metre; Osborne & Little LEFT Add a contemporary twist with modern white furniture and bright pops of colour. Summer Garden, Paris Ice White Lounging Set, £1,699, Bridgman BELOW LEFT A spacious daybed makes a statement and is perfect for two to while away the hours. Panama daybed, £4,100, Lagoon ABOVE Add beautiful trims to enhance outdoor fabrics. Selection of fringes and borders, from £33 to £130 a metre, all Samuel & Sons ABOVE RIGHT Set up a seating area by the pool for drinks. Luccombe collection, from £495 for an ottoman, Oka RIGHT Emulate the chic feel of the French Riviera with bold hues. Fabrics from £54 to £80 a yard, Richloom at Fameed Khalique BELOW Layers of elegant neutral tones create a sophisticated poolside scheme. Selection of outdoor fabrics from £70 to £105 a metre, Mark Alexander BELOW RIGHT Brighten the zone with an array of colourful fabrics. Fabric £59 to £115 a metre, Manuel Canovas at Colefax and Fowler

ABOVE Bring out a blanket and armfuls of cushions for a lazy day. Medina Tangier rug, from £130, Weaver Green LEFT This statement parasol combines a classic William Morris pattern with flamboyant fringing. William round bamboo parasol, from £450, East London Parasol Company LEFT BELOW Globally inspired outdoor fabrics. Left: Zanzibar, Tobacco £190 a metre, Penny Morrison; Right: Sumatra, Ocean Air, £124 a metre, Jim Thompson BOTTOM LEFT For a relaxed lunch bring out a farmhouse table and dress with a jaunty fabric. Cherry cotton table runner, £36, Denys & Fielding RIGHT Serve up homemade pizzas in the garden for a relaxed supper. Rusted outdoor pizza oven, £540, Rowen & Wren FAR RIGHT TOP Colourful lanterns are make for a bohemian evening. Outdoor solar lanterns, from £34.95, Sparkle Lighting FAR RIGHT MIDDLE Mix and match global brights for a playful look. Around the World collection, from £74.10 a metre, Jab BOTTOM FAR RIGHT Follow the sun with a lightweight lounger. Cane lounger, £600; Rattan lampshade, £45, Raj Tent Club BELOW Enjoy a spot of garden glamping or simply a hideaway for the day, with a stylish tent. Five-metre Sandstone Canvas Bell tent, £549, Boutique Camping Rowen Wren

Relaxed bohemian

Those who have a more eclectic, globally influenced and relaxed approach to decorating the home can translate this bohemian attitude to their outdoor space too.

This style is ideally suited to gardens that have a more natural and wild feel – perhaps with unmown grassy areas, meadow flowers and several trees to provide dappled sunlight and shade. It offers a space for unwinding, for children to play in makeshift dens and for informal parties.

Blankets, armfuls of cushions, beanbags and quilts can be carried to a favourite spot, along with a picnic, drinks, a stack of books and outdoor games to make the most of long, lazy afternoons amongst the birds, bees and butterflies.

ECLECTIC MIX Fabrics might be bright and colourful, evoking the spirit of a wildflower meadow, or simply charmingly mismatched. Whilst special outdoor textiles might be desired, just grabbing the squishiest, most comfortable cushions from inside will also do.

Outdoor rugs are useful for creating a large ground area, either for a picnic, games or sunbathing – though perhaps a lightweight sun lounger that can easily be moved into a secluded spot is a desirable touch.

Furniture, too, can be mismatched and painted in different colours, and bringing out a kitchen table and chairs makes for a wonderful, spontaneous al fresco supper.

A tent, gazebo or canopy offers a romantic, bohemian feel for adults and children alike, creating a den, as well as a sense of occasion for social gatherings. For smaller spaces, a glorious, colourful and tasselled parasol can create a similar mood.

Befitting the relaxed mood of the styling, food should be informal too – a picnic or homemade pizzas cooked in an outdoor wood-fired oven for a treat. Lanterns strung amongst the trees add colour and a playful, global character, too.

Key elements

• Mismatched, comfortable fabrics, cushions and blankets • Colourful choices for fabrics, furniture and lighting • Secluded spots to create spaces or dens in which to relax

ABOVE Create a spot for restful repose, either for star gazing or beneath a shelter, with a generous hammock. Striped grey garden hammock, £125, Beaumonde LEFT Create a romantic glow with outdoor lights and candles. Woven Wooden Lantern with TruGlow candle, £25.99, and all TruGlow candles and fairy lights, Lights4Fun BELOW Set up an al fresco cinema for all to enjoy. Simply peg up a sheet to project onto, have plenty of cushions and blankets at hand and enjoy a favourite film. All furniture and accessories from Garden Trading BELOW RIGHT Enjoy a table for two in the comfort of the garden, making it suitably romantic with candles, festoon lights and sparkling crystal glassware. Ravenna dining table and two benches with cushions, £825, Cox & Cox

Moonlit retreats

Even after sundown, the garden can be a magical room for evening entertainment. Set the mood with soft lighting in a layered assortment of sources – from candlelight (either the real thing or LED for extra safety) to festoon and fairy lights – and a firepit or woodburner for warmth.

For spaces intended to be used at night, consider planting that can be enjoyed come nightfall. Flowers that still bloom and release sweet scent in the evening include petunias, wisteria, star jasmine and honeysuckle.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT Ensure the garden is a relaxing, enjoyable place to spend time beneath the stars. As well as lighting and some form of heat source, add blankets and cushions to keep the space warm and inviting for longer. Invest in comfortable seating, maybe even a hammock for those who simply want to lie back and absorb the languorous atmosphere of a warm summer evening.

For a special treat, transform the garden into an outdoor cinema – a white sheet pegged up against a wall or fence provides an ideal screen. Bring together blankets, rugs, deckchairs or a sofa and perhaps a firepit nearby, though, if it is lit, be sure to keep it attended at all times. Fill up pitchers with drinks to limit trips back and forth to the house, and share out popcorn for an enjoyable night with family or friends.

Key elements

• Lighting – both to be practical and to set an atmospheric mood • Warmth from a fire pit or similar, as well as blankets. • Attention to detail creates an occasion, whether dinner for two or a film night

Urban chic

Courtyard gardens, rooftops, balconies and smaller urban spaces can echo sleeker elements from interiors to create a hidden oasis in the city. Space is often at a premium, so modular furniture can be ideal for fitting against a wall or in a corner, but prettier sofas and armchairs can also work. Often a smaller garden needs to be multi-functional, so seating should be comfortable for any occasion, whether relaxing with a drink or dining with friends. Use low walls to create extra seating, adding specially made seat pads or a selection of cushions in outdoor fabrics. Transform stonework with masonry paint, using whites or greys for a sleek, modern aesthetic.

MODERN ELEMENTS Geometrics, or textured plains offer contemporary elegance, or seek modern prints. Keep to a curated colour palette; greys, whites and black with one accent colour – a yellow or green will feel bright and have a natural affinity with the surroundings. Consider potbased planting, with more greenery and structural, textural plants such as wild grasses and leafy shrubs rather than anything too flowery.

Adding an outdoor rug softens a paved area and creates a zone in a small space, as can decorative tiles. An outdoor bar or drinks trolley will make this a sociable space, as will a heat source such as a sleek outdoor fireplace. As storing outdoor furniture come winter may be an issue, invest in covers to protect it, or simply bring out tables, chairs and so forth from indoors as and when needed during the summer. n

Key elements

• Multifunctional spaces for dining and relaxing • Geometric patterns, contemporary prints • Sleek, limited colour palette

TOP A streamlined palette of yellows creates a sunny, modern look. Bibi Multi, £50 a metre; Holkham Amber (stripe), £35 a metre, both Warner House ABOVE Smart stripes on a high- performance outdoor fabric. Foutah Petanque and Pastis, from £45.96 a metre, Sunbrella RIGHT Choose a sleek outdoor fireplace for added warmth after dusk. Kamino fireplace, £999, Morsø BELOW Outdoor paints can be used to create a cohesive look. Fence, chairs, shelf and pots in Chalk Paint, from £5.95 for 120ml and finished in Chalk Paint Lacquer, £21.95, both Annie Sloan

KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPHS P70 (HOULÉS) © MARC GUENARD; (BARKER & FEATURE