Witty concrete furniture and accessories instantly set the scene for a contemporary garden.

For a potting shed with edge, add a designer bench, swap your classic statuary for 2-D art and mix up your simple terracotta pots with modern geometric pieces.

This ingenious straw bale seat sums up the modern country vibe perfectly.

Long hot days are for kicking back – meaning more time to cosy up on a cool lounger made for two.

We all need to escape from time to time – a romantic swinging seat is the perfect place to unwind.

A mismatched group of outdoor chairs creates an impromptu party vibe.

Photography: Paul Massey

Styling: Hannah Franklin

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich.