With all the gorgeous, sprawling outdoor spaces served up to us day after day on social media, it's all too easy to feel slightly disappointed when looking out at your own tiny outdoor space. But just because you don't have the space for an Olympic-sized swimming pool or a fully stocked outdoor kitchen doesn't mean your garden is any less worthwhile.

With minimal space to work with, designers are often pushed to think more creatively when designing small gardens, finding little ways to make a big impact. Without the luxury of space, a more refined approach is required, forcing you to fully consider what you actually need from your garden. Which, as a result, can often lead to more considered, intentional designs.

Plus, no place is more ripe for a dramatic transformation than a small, abandoned outdoor area. In just a few months, a pile of gravel and weeds can become a calming oasis. Don't believe me? Just take these before-and-after makeovers as proof.

1. Checkerboard Chic London Patio

BEFORE

AFTER

With elegant, checkerboard floors and bountiful, verdant greenery, this gorgeous patio garden in Wandsworth feels a million miles away from the astroturf lawn it once was.

Transformed by landscape designer Lilly-Joan Richardson, this garden went from an uninspiring, blank space to the home's central hub for entertaining.

"Previously, the garden was an underused space that felt flat and uninviting," Lilly says. "The clients are a family with three teenage children, and they wanted to transform it into a garden that was not only beautiful to look at — particularly from the kitchen, where it is visible all year-round — but also practical and inviting to use."

Her clients were keen to create a space that blurred the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, where guests and family could gather in the warmer months, lounging on the sofas and crowding around the barbecue.

Despite the minimal space, Lilly was able to create two distinct 'zones' in this garden, using large, potted plants to separate the outdoor living room from the cooking area. In doing so, Lilly created the illusion of more space, while simultaneously making the two zones feel more intimate and inviting.

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2. Shipping Container Chic

BEFORE

AFTER

A genius take on a garden room, deterred by the sky-high costs of a home extension, Abbie Newton, from The Joyful Chapter, instead chose to transform a bright blue, 20ft shipping container into an artfully designed creative studio.

The desire to make the most of a small space was in no way new to Abbie, who had already converted a van into a camper with her husband, Matthew. "We’ve always had a fascination with tiny homes,” she explains.

A converted shipping container may feel incongruous with the description of a luxurious, creative hub, but somehow Abbie and Matthew made it work, finding space for a photography studio, a small office space, and a DJ setup.

It doesn't stop there, though. The transformation continued outside the container, where Abbie designed a spa-worthy, outdoor wellness room, complete with a sauna and cold plunge. If this were in my backyard, I don't know if I'd ever go back inside.

3. A Terrace Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

Proving you don't need a full garden to create an outdoor retreat, landscape designer Jon Fargion brought luxury rooftop energy to this Chelsea balcony.

For Jon, the top priority was maximizing the amount of usable space, removing anything that made the space feel smaller. "When first approached, the terrace was heavily planted with tall Ilex plants for privacy," he says. These, while effective, limited the terrace's floor plan, reducing the amount of space available.

In removing these, and various other features, including an outdoor shower, Jon was able to build up a generous, open terrace, filled with plenty of spots for lounging and socializing.

Hoping to retain the sense of greenery and privacy offered by the former planting, though in a less obstructive way, Jon says, "The planters have been restored, reduced in size, painted and located against the railing of the terrace, and a belt of an evergreen plant has been installed, creating a soft limitation between the terrace and the city."

4. Urban Living

BEFORE

AFTER

Set behind a new build in East London, with nothing but a pile of rubble, this tiny, urban garden began as a complete blank canvas.

Despite the small proportions, designer Charlotte Rowe's clients had big dreams for the space. "They wanted a breakfast bar, a fireplace with comfortable seating, and an outdoor shower," she says. And somehow, she managed to include all that and more, without ever making the space feel cramped or overwhelmed.

To do this, Charlotte separated the garden into different 'zones', using different levels to create more definition and depth.

"The atmosphere we wanted to create was comfortable and cozy, so we decided to create different ‘zones’ by sinking the outdoor fireplace and daybeds and placing the shower and breakfast on an upper level, which allowed us to create a ‘dance floor’ on the upper level," she explains.

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5. Basic to Brilliant

BEFORE

AFTER

Nothing more than a plain, concrete patio and a patch of grass, designer Aly Velji had plenty of room for improvement in his backyard. Despite this, when buying the house, he already had a vision of "transforming the backyard into an extension of our living space," and he did exactly that.

In the new and improved patio, an outdoor fireplace is complete with a sofa set, coffee table, and outdoor rug for a cozy set-up. The lackluster lawn was replaced by sleek pavers, while gravel and a new deck complete the look.

Opting for a more cohesive layout and removing the grass-covered section helped to expand the space, making it feel far larger, while large potted plants retain the greenery previously provided by the lawn.

For more small garden design ideas, designers share ten steps to turn a tiny space into a flourishing oasis.

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We’ve finally reached that awkward July garden phase. Roses have gone over, lawns are 50 shades of beige, and deadheading is becoming a religious ritual — that is, if your plants have even survived this scorching summer, at all.

This year England experienced its warmest June on record, clocking in at 3ºC above the average June temp and reaching a whopping 37.7ºC — the UK’s highest June temperature on record. Not that you need reminding, I'm sure.

Though, I don’t know about you, this summer felt different. It wasn’t just a sporadic bank holiday weekend of intense sunshine; this time it was prolonged and relentless. Even the most established trees and perennials suffered. So much so, gardeners are starting to question whether England’s green and pleasant land is really made for these new summers.

Is it time to say goodbye to our beloved hydrangeas, and simply adapt the modern garden to overcome?

How Are Garden Designers Handling the Changing Weather?

It’s not just amateur gardeners who are feeling the challenges. Even the pros are having to rethink their planting schemes to futureproof their gardens rapidly.

“With the weather changing year on year, we’ve already been adapting our planting schemes for some time," Award-winning garden designer and star of BBC's Your Garden Made Perfect, Pip Probert, tells me. "Splitting my time between the office and being out on site, I’m seeing the impact in my own garden as I look out of the office window for inspiration, and then experience the challenges first‑hand while planting up clients’ gardens."

“Some plant varieties simply can’t cope with the increasingly erratic conditions, and I’m now using these more sparingly or adjusting where they’re positioned. I’m becoming more selective in my choices, while still allowing for the fact that we also have to cope with the opposite extreme: colder, wetter winters. It’s a balancing act, but one that’s becoming increasingly important as our climate continues to shift.”

According to Pip, it isn’t just the water-loving plants that are suffering this summer. She explains, “I’ve noticed that planting beneath larger feature trees is suffering the most. Even though these plants are suited to shade and are used to competing with established specimens for moisture, this year they’re struggling to get enough water to survive. Trees and large shrubs need far more water to sustain themselves through prolonged heat, and the smaller plants beneath them are feeling the effects.”

Are Mediterranean Plants Good for UK Planting?

We’re continually facing heatwaves comparable to our continental neighbours. So does the answer to our gardening woes lie in Mediterranean gardens instead? According to the experts, yes and no.

Full of drought-resistant foliage, Mediterranean plants like olive trees, vines, and rosemary are naturally adapted to withstand intense heat. Plus their organically neutral-to-cool color palette makes them a firm favorite in modern garden designs, catering well to the trending clean, muted garden aesthetic.

“I’m very fond of a Mediterranean‑styled garden,” says Pip. “It’s a theme I really enjoy working with. More and more clients are requesting Mediterranean‑inspired spaces, sometimes to evoke that holiday feeling, and sometimes because the style can be seen as slightly lower maintenance.”

But as Pip highlights, opting exclusively for non-native Mediterranean flowers and foliage will impact our wildlife, pollinators, and ecosystem. “The plant selection associated with this [Mediterranean] look is becoming increasingly relevant to our ‘new normal’, but I do feel that filling a garden entirely with Mediterranean plants can mean losing some of our much‑loved UK favorites.” To solve this problem, she recommends partnering Mediterranean foliage with native plants of similar properties. “While I often take inspiration from Mediterranean styles and planting palettes, I still try to maintain a sense of home to ensure we continue creating vibrant, sustainable and ecologically supportive spaces.

“We have many native plants that are perfectly suited to free‑draining conditions, whether in a gravel garden or simply a drier area within a wildlife garden. Coastal species, in particular, are known for their tolerance of sandy, rocky or pebbly soils. Their deep root systems allow them to reach moisture further down in the ground, making them naturally resilient in drought‑prone areas. Choosing UK native plants not only helps our gardens cope with drier conditions, but also provides vital habitat and food sources for local wildlife.”

The Big Soggy Problem

Here in the UK, we have quite a unique planting problem. On the one hand, we need drought-tolerant plants that can withstand dry conditions and prolonged intense summer heat. On the other, they need to be ready for our inevitable wet and freezing winters (need I remind us of the relentless rainfall this January). So while Mediterranean-inspired plants seem like a good idea in the summer, winter poses a big problem.

As Pip explains, it’s this dilemma which drives today’s garden designs. “Choosing plants that can survive both wet winters and dry summers is becoming a staple requirement for all our projects”, says Pip. “Constant watering in summer is not only time‑consuming, but with hosepipe bans slowly creeping in across the country, it’s increasingly inconvenient (especially in larger gardens). Rather than selecting plants that thrive in one extreme or the other, perhaps we should be looking for plants that can simply cope with both — where tolerance becomes more important than peak performance.

Designer Agata Henderson says this is a common problem in garden designs, but she overcomes it with careful irrigation designs. “We increasingly seem to experience prolonged periods of heat and drought between April and August, followed by months of relentless rain,” she says.

“A sustainable, future-proof garden must be designed to cope with both extremes. This can include harvesting rainwater during wetter months and storing it for use during dry spells and hosepipe bans. It also means choosing materials carefully. Black composite fencing and decking, as well as dark slate paving, get uncomfortably hot in summer and store heat, increasing the temperature in gardens; while other surfaces can become dangerously slippery during a wet autumn, winter and spring. I am a great fan of limestone paving, which seems to tick many of the boxes for both extremes.”

Which Plants Should We Be Avoiding?

If the thought of choosing the right plant is leaving you with decision paralysis, planting expert Connor Healy at Healy Garden Design has some sage advice on which plants might be best avoided.

“In this summer heat, avoid planting new hydrangeas, acers, fuchsias and astilbes as these are prone to leaf scorching and soil drying,” says Connor. “If you have these in your garden, I recommend buying shade cloth or horticultural fleece and avoid planting new plants until autumn, when we get a great mixture of rain, sun and cooler temperatures. Roses, however, are more resilient due to their deep-rooting systems but can still be affected by the summer heat, so tend to them delicately.”

For designer Agata Henderson, hydrangeas are proving particularly difficult to maintain, much to her dismay. “This year’s conditions were devastating for hydrangeas, which have made a huge comeback in British gardens in recent years. They are likely to struggle in a sunny garden during prolonged periods of heat and drought.”

The same can be said for garden designer Pip. “I do love Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ and often use it in my schemes," says Pip. "But it’s definitely one of the plants suffering in this summer’s extreme heat.”

However, if you’re still set on your hydrangeas, all isn’t lost. Pip advises that a plant’s position goes a long way to help its health and future resilience. “I don’t think we need to stop using these plants, we simply need to adapt. Positioning becomes even more important; giving them more shelter, deeper soil, or access to additional moisture can make a big difference.

“At the moment, my first job each morning is watering. It not only puts me in a good mood, but the cooler temperature also allows plants to drink deeply before the heat builds. Always water the soil rather than the foliage, using a watering can to create a small pool that soaks directly down to the roots. Mulching around the base of plants also helps keep soil temperatures down and retain moisture.”

Which Plants Are Best for UK Summers?

• Acacia dealbata
• Amelanchier × grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’
• Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
• Magnolia × loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
• Malus ‘John Downie’.
• Ceratostigma plumbaginoides,
• Choisya ternata
• Euphorbia mellifera
• Phlomis italica
• Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’.
• Agapanthus ‘Indigo Dreams’
• Bistorta amplexicaulis
• Euphorbia palustris
• Iris sibirica
• Lythrum salicaria

Though it may seem overwhelming, changing our horticultural habits is abundantly necessary if our gardens are going to continue to thrive.

The main takeaway? Preparation.

Prepare your soil with aeration, mulch and irrigation; prepare your structures for water collection, and prepare your planting positions properly to minimise environmental stresses.

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We all have dreams of gardens thick with lush greenery, colorful blooms springing from every corner, and endless space to cultivate that growing green finger. But, sadly, for many of us, this vision is nothing more than that: a dream. And a dream that our tiny shoebox gardens struggle to live up to. But even in the tiniest of outdoor spaces, there are still plenty of opportunities to include some much-needed greenery.

It's at this time of year that our social media feeds become overtaken by gloating videos of sprawling backyards, overflowing with lush hydrangeas and bountiful vegetable crops, and, as a result, our small gardens seem to pale in comparison. But just because you're working with less space doesn't mean your garden isn't equally deserving of some beautiful blooms and foliage of its own.

You see, planting in a small garden versus one brimming with space does require a slightly different approach, but it's by no means impossible. You just need a few tricks up your sleeve to make it work, and luckily, these expert top tips will have you covered.

1. Hanging Planters

One of the best methods for bringing some greenery into even the tiniest of outdoor spaces is by using some handy hanging baskets. Perfect for a little courtyard garden and apartment balcony alike, this method of planting brings a lovely layered finish to your outdoor area.

"Hanging baskets have really evolved over the past few years. They’re no longer just a traditional feature, but a simple, really high-impact way to add color, texture, and even fresh produce to your space," adds B&Q's horticulture expert Mark Sage. "Whether you’ve got a large garden or just a small balcony, hanging baskets are an easy way to make the most of vertical space and create something that feels full and abundant."

There's plenty of space to experiment with what you include within those baskets, too, with Mark suggesting, "For that really full, cascading look, you want a combination of trailing plants, upright varieties and something to fill the gaps. That layering is what gives baskets that lush, overflowing feel as they grow."

2. The Only Way Is Up

In a tiny garden where there isn't enough room to plant out, there's only one other option: plant up.

"First — think vertically," encourages landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni. "An obelisk planted up with a vine gives fullness and dimension without taking up too much space. Same goes for a trellis or lattice."

Making use of climbing plants and wall trellises is an easy way to create a green oasis in your backyard without eating into your floor space. You can use some scented climbers for a more atmospheric effect, or, if you want some protection against your nosy neighbors, a selection of fast-growing climbing plants for privacy is just what you need.

3. Tiered Displays

The key to a lush, fairy tale garden is not just in the sheer amount of plants you have, but in how you use them. What you're searching for is a way to create depth without needing too much space, and for that, a tiered planting scheme will be your best friend.

"It's about finding creative ways of bringing as much green into a small space as possible," says landscape designer Tom Howard, who designed the garden above to feel like you're "surrounded" by plants. "When you plant up larger gardens, you choose big herbaceous borders and taller plants at the back, then taller grasses and perennials, getting smaller the closer you get to the lawn or path."

"Here, you've got your low-level plants, then planting at a high level as well in the raised bed," he adds. "It's about trying to draw the eye up to the rest of the planting."

There are various ways to achieve this, too. From plant ladders, like this clever Wooden Plant Stand, or for a more dramatic effect, you could try a stacked design, like this 5-Tier Stackable Strawberry Planter Tower.

4. Opt for Larger, Taller Planters

When choosing garden furniture and accessories for a smaller space, it's easy to fall for the idea that the smaller, the better. It's only logical, after all. However, this approach could be the very thing keeping your garden from reaching its full potential.

"Don’t be tricked into thinking that a small space means you should use small pots — in fact, you’re better off using a few larger planters for a bigger impact and to keep the space from feeling cluttered," explains Kat.

A larger pot allows for more dramatic, impactful plant growth, which, in the long run, will have a greater effect than a bunch of weedy, little plants.

Don't just look for width, though; for the best outdoor planters, Kat encourages finding ones that bring some extra height, too. The added height will help exaggerate the planting presence in your garden, while a smaller, lower pot can easily fade into obscurity.

As Kat says, the risk with these low pots is that "you’ll barely see them, especially if you have furniture in the space." Instead, you'd be better off seeking out a few larger, taller planters, and allowing these to take center stage.

5. Wall-Mounted Planters

Want to make the most of your garden walls, but can't be bothered with the hassle of a climbing plant? We've got the solution for you.

A newer, less-traditional style of planting, these wall-mounted pots are the perfect way to add a little more greenery to a small patio garden, without taking up any room.

They look gorgeous hanging off your exterior walls, especially when used around an outdoor dining setup or an intimate entertaining area; they bring just the right amount of color and interest, and are an easy, low-maintenance solution for those of us who haven't yet developed our gardening skills.

Unfortunately, there's far more to designing a small garden than just the planting, but thanks to our experts, we've got all the ideas and advice you could need. And, for more design ideas for your garden and beyond, subscribe to our newsletter.

An outdoor space that is rich in harmonious energy is typically built around a balance of elements. And a beautiful way to channel the fire element is by decorating with garden lanterns.

In garden Feng Shui, this type of lighting gently brightens dark corners and stimulates positive energy. "Fire symbolizes warmth, visibility and joy," says Feng Shui consultant Zoë Vita James. "The gentle glow of lanterns instinctively encourages us to slow down, gather together and enjoy our homes."

To truly harness the uplifting vibe of garden lanterns, here's what to consider when choosing one and where to place them, too.

Why Are Garden Lanterns Good Feng Shui?

"With so much going on in the world today, creating a comforting and nurturing outdoor sanctuary to enjoy balmy evenings that soothe your soul before the day draws to a close feels more important than ever. In Feng Shui, softly glowing lanterns can help transform a garden into a space that feels peaceful and restorative," says Zoë Vita James.

"From a design perspective, I tend to favor lanterns with soft, sculptural or rounded forms rather than very angular or industrial designs. They exude a gentler, more feminine feeling and sit beautifully with nature."

These smoother silhouettes will also help you avoid poison arrows when you're lounging in the glow of these lanterns. And when it comes to choosing a garden lantern, Zoë tells me that materials also matter.

"Glass, wicker, timber and ceramics often create a softer, more harmonious feeling outdoors. Heavily metallic lanterns can sometimes feel a little stark — allowing the glowing flame to be the star of the show."

Where Do You Place Garden Lanterns for Good Feng Shui?

In classical Feng Shui, Zoë explains that the ideal location for garden lighting is always personal to the property and considers the orientation of the home, the surrounding landscape, and the current flow of annual energies.

Although the South of your garden is typically considered the best space for garden lanterns, in 2026, the year of the fire horse, she is encouraging clients to keep the South sector of their homes and gardens relatively quiet and free from additional fire energy, including lanterns and decorative lighting.

"If your seating area falls within the South of your garden (measured from the geometric centre of your home), I generally suggest moving lanterns slightly either side into the South-East or South-West instead," she says.

"The South-East is a particularly supportive area this year and can be beautifully activated with an abundance of lanterns to encourage prosperity, joy and inspiring opportunities."

Another way to soothe the ambiance of your garden is through aquatic features. And it's equally important to know where to place a water feature for good Feng Shui. For more advice on designing for better interior energy, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.

Aside from needing to look good, which goes without saying, if I were to pinpoint the three key requirements of furniture ideal for a small outdoor space, I would say: multifunctional, low-maintenance, and a design that doesn't visually compete with the surroundings. Which is why it's no surprise that IKEA's KROKHOLMEN Coffee Table has been a staple of the Swedish brand for the best part of a decade.

With an impressive 4.8-star rating following hundreds of reviews, the neutral-hued style is modern, compact, and multifunctional — whether used as a coffee table, an oversized side table, or even a chic plant table — and its lightweight design means it can easily be transported around your space to suit your needs, or just as easily be used indoors. But what makes this coffee table a particularly good piece of garden furniture for smaller gardens, is its sleek metal mesh design. The holes not only allow water to pass straight through for practical purposes, but they visually trick the eye into thinking the space feels more open and spacious.

Plus, powder-coated metal outdoor furniture is a big trend this year, featuring heavily at Milan Design Week in April, and for good reason. Inherently suited to outdoor spaces, powder-coated metal designs are durable, versatile, and often have a bit more of an edge to them, in my opinion. And while lots of the styles popping up this year have been bold and colorful, there's a lot to be said for a neutral hue that makes a statement without competing for attention.

Along with its airy design, with light seeping through the holes to visually expand the space, the light neutral colors also work wonders to make a small garden feel more open, too.

Plus, rounded furniture is one of the best outdoor furniture ideas for small spaces for this same reason, softening angular edges and promoting a feeling of spaciousness.

As one reviewer shares, "I replaced a rectangular coffee table and this round one works much better in a small space," while another notes that "even though it has a good surface area, the mesh design prevents it from feeling cramped."

If you like the idea of the airy design vibe but are keen to explore some other styles, I've found three alternative options, as well as three additional styles that give a similar feel without the mesh — all of which are affordable and practical.

Alternative Styles

For more small space-friendly finds, IKEA's 5-star rated conversation set is the comfortable addition to your tiny patio that will upgrade your space without taking over it.

If you're looking for more ideas for specific pieces, our Design Lab by Livingetc Find service will put you in touch directly with our stylists who can source them specifically for you and your requirements.

And for more ideas for your garden and beyond, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

Maybe it's the height of al fresco season, or perhaps we're all looking for a way to cool down our space, but water features are a hot topic at the moment. And if you're one of those lucky people with a pretty water feature in your garden, then knowing where to place it is important.

Garden Feng Shui is the key to using your water feature to attract the energy you seek. And where you place this aquatic element is crucial. Broadly speaking, a Northern space in the garden seems to be the best spot for a water feature.

But first, let's better understand how water features are good Feng Shui and how to properly position them outdoors.

Are Water Features Good for Feng Shui?

Zoë Vita James, Feng Shui consultant, confirms that water features are positively energetic elements to introduce to your garden. "Feng Shui literally means 'wind and water'," she says.

"We build homes to shelter us from these elements and to keep us safe. At its heart, Classical Feng Shui is concerned with how we harness the healthiest and most supportive qualities of the natural external environment to nourish the people living inside a home."

She explains that Feng Shui is sometimes described as doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. "This is especially true of water. A carefully positioned fountain, pond or pool can be a very powerful way of stimulating the flow of qi around and inside a property, supporting the vitality, opportunities and prosperity of the people indoors," she adds.

"Water is also symbolically associated with connection and communication. Where someone feels stuck, isolated or disconnected, thoughtfully placed and gently moving water can help to encourage greater flow in this area of life."

Where Should You Place a Water Feature Outdoors?

"In Classical Feng Shui, the most effective position will be personal to the property and the people using the space. A practitioner will consider the building's orientation, how it sits within its surrounding landscape, its relation to nearby hills, roads, and waterways, and where qi naturally gathers around a home," says Zoë.

"Even in London, clients are often surprised to discover that a hidden river or stream runs close to their property. It may have been built over as the city developed. However, it can still be relevant when determining the most supportive location for a water feature in a garden."

So, while a personal reading and a Feng Shui map are your best bet at outlining the most harmonious spot for your water feature, Zoë explains that the North of a plot is a brilliant starting point.

"Measured from the centre of a building’s floorplan, it is often considered a lucky location for a water feature and is associated with stimulating opportunities, prosperity and long-term growth. For Feng Shui in 2026 specifically, I have also been encouraging some clients to install a temporary water feature in the West of their outdoor space," she notes.

"This can be as simple as a generous outdoor vessel with a small solar pump and perhaps a few floating flowers to make it look beautiful. The intention is to stimulate an annual energy associated with attracting helpful people, support, and mentors. In 2027, and each year thereafter, this annual energy moves to a new location."

She goes on to say that the ideal placement ought to feel beautiful as well as energetically supportive. "In my experience, the two often fall into place together quite naturally," she says.

"Additionally, I often recommend placing the water at around the height of a person’s solar plexus, or the centre of the torso. This can be achieved by raising the fountain on a pedestal or nestling a beautiful bowl into a sloping flower bed."

If you're designing water garden ideas into your home, Zoë also recommends aligning the shape and material with the location. "A circular metal or bronze vessel may feel especially at home in the West, for example," she suggests. "While a water feature in the North will be beautifully supported by inky blue or black finishes."

Where to Avoid Placing a Water Feature?

As for places to never put a water feature, from a Feng Shui point of view, Zoë explains that she is usually cautious about placing water in the South-West of a property, as this area is traditionally associated with the mother, relationships and the maternal line of a family. "Water here may sometimes unsettle or undermine these family members or aspects of life," she warns.

"I also tend to be careful with large water features in the North-West, an area associated with the father and the man of the household. However, in my work there are always exceptions. Once the precise compass measurements, landscape and Feng Shui opportunities of a building are considered in their totality, there may be sound reason to place water in either of these locations."

FAQs

Is a Bird Bath Considered a Water Feature in Feng Shui?

Yes, a bird bath is considered to be an auspicious water feature under the lens of Feng Shui. Since it attracts wildlife to your home, it uplifts the overall energy in your backyard while supporting the water element.

Is Still Water Bad Feng Shui?

Yes, still water can be considered bad Feng Shui. "Water should always be kept clean, fresh, and ideally gently moving, to create the vibrant chi or life force the water feature is intended to encourage," says Zoë. Even a simple DIY solar panel fountain can improve the energy of a stagnant water feature.

To learn more about garden Feng Shui mistakes and other ways to uplift the energy in and around your home, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter. And if it's stylish water features or other decor you're trying to source, Design Lab's 'Find' is the answer.

After months of wistful staring from our kitchen windows, the summer is the time we can finally make full use of our outdoor areas. At long last, your fantasies of long, lazy days spent in the sun and summer barbecues that float on through the evening can become a reality. The only thing standing between you and a summer of garden bliss? Certain pesky garden materials.

The wrong materials can be the difference between a breezy haven of a modern garden and a suffocating heat trap. It's no secret that different materials respond to heat in different ways, and while through the winter months it can be easy for you not to notice the errors in your material choices, as soon as the sun comes out, it'll likely be the only thing you do notice.

For many of us, the sudden spike in temperature can be overwhelming enough to begin with, and your garden should be the space that's able to offer you some respite from the stifling heat. So the last thing you want is an outdoor space that intensifies this discomfort. Luckily, the experts have shared the top three culprits, and what to choose instead, so we can protect ourselves for the summers to come.

1. Artificial Grass

Not only is it commonly cited as a backyard feature that is probably devaluing your home, but artificial grass is also known to be one of the worst materials to include in a sun-soaked garden.

People in warmer areas will often opt for artificial grass over the real deal to avoid having to deal with a scorched lawn. And while it's true that you may have to up your lawn care in August to avoid it turning brown and crispy, the extra effort will be well worth it.

Typically, artificial grass will be made from a synthetic, plastic blend, and, as such, is ill-suited to warmer conditions. "That plastic material just bakes in the sun," states Curtis Atkinson, founder of Sunline Landscapes, and by midday, it will likely be too hot to even walk across, let alone relax on.

Plus, practicalities aside, fake grass will never fail to look as it is: fake.

2. Dark Pavers

Now, unlike artificial grass, this hardscaping material does have an aesthetic appeal to it, making it a more understandable choice for garden designs. Dark pavers are often chosen for their chic, striking finish, which makes them a natural fit for urban gardens.

However, unlike the lighter colored counterparts, dark paving is a sure-fire way to make your garden feel even hotter, making it one of the worst things to include in a sun-trap garden. "When your garden and rear walls are in direct sun all day, they are just soaking up heat the whole time," says Tony Reynolds from Supreme Merchants.

Darker, harder materials do an even better job at retaining this heat than the average patio flooring, which means that hours after the sun has gone in, your floor can feel just as warm as it did at midday.

3. Dark, Plush Upholstery

The idea of a charcoal-gray sofa, overflowing with cushions in an outdoor living room may sound chic, but the second your skin hits that dark, thick fabric, we can guarantee you'll no longer be such a fan of the idea.

The whole point of investing in a luxurious garden sofa is to provide a comfortable place to spend your days in the sun. However, if your outdoor furniture is hot enough to fry an egg on by midday, it's unlikely you'll feel quite so comfy sitting on it.

"With our weather becoming more unpredictable, including heatwaves, heavy rain, and high winds, it’s important to choose furniture that’s both stylish and resilient," says Magdalena Gierasinska from Barker and Stonehouse. Not only will dark-colored upholstery retain heat more than a lighter color would, but with a particularly plush, padded sofa, this effect can be even more dramatic.

Even with all the right materials, small inner-city gardens can still be prone to heating up, which is exactly why we asked the experts for all their tips on how to make urban gardens feel cooler.

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This summer has truly put my love for lounging outdoors to the test. While I do look forward to the sometimes-fleeting London summer, I will admit that the intense heat has made me retreat indoors for most of it so far. But after some consideration, I've realized it's not a location change I need, but rather a few subtle adjustments to make the temperature outside more livable.

Simple additions like shade sails, portable fans, water features, light-colored furniture, and lush, transpiring plants are key to making urban gardens feel cooler. Not to mention, most of these things add personality to your outdoor spaces, too.

So, if you've found it tough to enjoy your garden of late, here's what to consider adding.

1. Shade Sails

While I do like the tropicality of a parasol, I find sail shades to be a slightly chicer garden addition. Especially if your home features a small garden that needs all the free floor space it can get.

Retractable sun shades elevate the ambiance of an outdoor living room while introducing a cool patch of shade to unwind in. This Pale Yellow Waterproof UV Garden Shade Sail from Amazon is lovely if you're still feeling butter yellow.

2. Portable Fan

One of the best hacks for entertaining outdoors in hot weather is a simple one: using an outdoor fan. And if you can get your hands on one that includes a misting feature, all the better. For instance, the FlexBreeze Pro Mist Fan from Shark is a best seller.

However, a hardworking outdoor fan can be just as valuable in the middle of a heatwave. This DUOCOOL Smart WiFi Cordless 2-in-1 Fan Gray from Fenwick is another sleek option.

3. Water Features

If you've ever wondered to yourself, 'Does a water feature cool a garden?', as someone who spent most of my childhood in a home with a lily pond, I can confirm with conviction. And it proved that it doesn't have to be a sprawling water garden to achieve the same effect. Think a solar-panel water fountain or even a pretty bird bath.

"I have a minimalist black bird bath that also functions as a water feature in my garden, and there's something about the glistening water in the sun that makes the space feel psychologically cooler," says Livingetc's deputy editor Debbie Black.

"There is also actual science behind its 'evaporative cooling' properties, too," she adds. "Heat is absorbed from its surroundings as water evaporates. It's a garden addition with many benefits, in my opinion. And I'm keen to soon upgrade to a cascading water feature to amp up the relaxation (and evaporation) factor, too!"

4. Nature-Drenching

If your garden consists of a more pared-back landscape, this is your sign to kick things up a notch through nature-drenching. It'll save you from having to visit your local park (however beautiful) whenever you need some cool fresh air in the summer.

Multi-level planting is the best way to introduce layers of lush foliage. Consider low-maintenance ground cover for shade. It'll wind around your pathways and cool from below.

Then group in some potted cultivars that feel like something out of a tropical garden. And if space permits, include some privacy trees for shade, too. It'll make stepping outdoors feel like escaping to a nature-rich oasis.

5. Light-Colored Furniture

The garden color furniture trends that lean into cooling a space typically involve a palette of lighter colors. Since darker shades are known to catch heat and trap it, switching to lighter tints is the shortcut to a pleasant ambiance.

This Avina Lounger from SO'HOME, this Small Outdoor Pouf from BADESOFA, and this Korfu Deck Chair from Anthropologie are some of my al fresco minimalist favorites.

And if you're looking for a function to tie your outdoor garden together, aperitivo corners are the fun way to transform the space for summer hosting. For more design advice, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

I’m the type of person who’ll find any excuse to spend an afternoon outside the second the sun comes out — especially in the UK, where every sunny day feels worth making the most of.

But I’ve learned that not all garden sunloungers are actually comfortable enough to spend hours on. The best reclining garden sunloungers let you properly switch off, whether you’re reading, sunbathing, or catching up on a podcast, while also making your outdoor space feel far more inviting. That’s exactly why they’re becoming an even bigger part of this year’s trend as more of us create outdoor spaces that feel like an extension of our homes.

That’s exactly why I’ve rounded up the best garden sunloungers to buy right now, from our favorite garden furniture brands.

Of course, a sunlounger never exists on its own. If you’re refreshing your garden this season, I’d start by exploring the idea of building a setup that feels cohesive and lasts beyond one summer. And don’t be afraid to bring in a little personality, either — one of my favorite garden furniture color trends for 2026 is adding a subtle pop of earthy green, terracotta, or deep blue.

If natural materials are more your thing, this John Lewis acacia design is well worth a look. It’s a classic design that proves comfort and timeless style can absolutely go hand in hand.

Once you’ve found the perfect sunlounger, it’s the styling around it that makes your outdoor space feel complete. If you’d like help pulling everything together — from furniture layouts to accessories and planting ideas — Design Lab by Livingetc offers personalized design advice tailored to your home. And if you’re always searching for stylish outdoor finds before everyone else, make sure you’re subscribed to the Livingetc newsletter. It’s the easiest way to stay up to date with inspiring homes, expert styling advice, and our latest shopping edits.

It's around this time of year when the idea of having a pool in your backyard feels intoxicatingly appealing. In this seemingly never-ending heatwave of a British summer, there is nothing I'd like more than to plunge myself into an icy body of water every couple of hours. But, for most of us Londoners, a garden pool feels about as realistic as getting a tube seat in rush hour.

There are a few reasons behind this. First of all, despite what these past few weeks would have you believe, London weather rarely calls for a swimming pool, and for 80% of the year, it would likely go unused, taking up precious space. Which brings us to the second, and foremost problem: the staggering lack of space. In the capital, you're lucky if you've got a home with a garden, let alone a garden large enough to contain a pool. Even if you were to decide to commit to a swimming pool, it would most likely come at the expense of the rest of your garden, leaving no room for anything else to squeeze into your outdoor space.

It's these reasons exactly that made the reel posted by Charlotte Green, from Sixty3 Design, go as viral as it did. The video starts with Charlotte walking across the paved, London patio garden of a recent design project, and then, with nothing more than a touch of a button, the floor recedes, as if by magic, and gradually fills up with water, leaving a pool where just five minutes prior, there was nothing. It's the ultimate backyard magic trick, and quite possibly, the solution we Londoners have been waiting for.

Why Choose a Retractable Pool?

How many times have you looked around your tiny garden and questioned whether you could squeeze a pool in somewhere? It's something I've done more times than I'd care to admit. Though my conclusion is typically that I'd have just enough space for a children's paddling pool, if I squished my outdoor dining setup together a bit.

What I'd never considered, though, is the idea that I could fit a pool in, right beneath my feet, without having to sacrifice any of my garden's usable floorspace.

Urban gardens are hard to come by, so even the smallest gardens have to be savored and celebrated, designed to get as much out of the space as possible. "London gardens are incredibly valuable spaces, and most clients want somewhere that works just as well for entertaining as it does for family life," explains Charlotte. It was with this in mind that she began exploring the option of a retractable pool for this project.

At floor level, the raised pool functions exactly like a normal deck, providing additional space for any typical garden activity. But, once lowered, Maxime Carpentier, director of Akvo Spiralift, says, "It functions as a normal swimming pool, with users typically unable to notice that a movable floor is installed beneath them. The system also allows the pool depth to be adjusted to suit different activities, making it a versatile solution for the entire family."

Unlike a traditional pool, which can easily dominate the majority of the garden and will likely sit unused for months at a time, this type of pool adapts to suit your needs. "When closed, the garden functions as one large terrace for dining, children's play, and entertaining," says Charlotte, "At the touch of a button, it transforms into a fully functioning swimming pool."

By allowing you to maintain one consistent patio flooring finish, you can create a cohesive and balanced design while still benefiting from the addition of a pool. It's particularly useful for small gardens, where you still want to be able to use it for various functions. "As designers, we're always looking for solutions that maximize every square meter without compromising on aesthetics, and this was the perfect example of that philosophy. We thought the retractable design was so clever," says Charlotte.

What You Need to Know

I'm sure, for many of us, this feels like the ultimate win-win. All the usable garden space you need, with the hidden surprise of a pool waiting for you at the touch of a button. What's not to love? But, as smart as this design is, there are some details you should know before you dive into the deep end.

First of all, perhaps the most pressing question: how does this even work? Well, as Maxime explains, "A movable pool floor operates much like a piston within a sleeve. The floor is raised or lowered inside the pool while water flows freely through small gaps around the perimeter, allowing the water level to remain constant and fully within the shell." There are, he adds, a few different methods to achieve a movable pool floor. The most common are "mechanically driven floors, which are raised and lowered by a system of lifting mechanisms, and buoyant (floating) floors, which are guided downward using a hydraulic system and rise naturally through buoyancy."

Of course, a swimming pool is never going to be a cheap home addition (even a small backyard pool can cost a pretty penny), but with a retractable design like this, you can expect prices to be significantly higher. This will largely come down to the costs of installation, as you'll have to work with a team that specializes in this style of swimming pool. "It's a far more specialist installation than a conventional swimming pool because the engineering and precision are absolutely critical," explains Charlotte.

Given the nature of this design, your pool must be considered in relation to the rest of your garden at every step. Every hardscaping material and detail you choose will have to be considered accordingly, which can be tricky if you don't have the right team to help you through the process. "The structural coordination, waterproofing, mechanical systems, and finishes all have to work seamlessly together," agrees Charlotte. "Fortunately, our clients worked with experienced specialists, and the process was very smooth, but it definitely isn't something you'd want to attempt without the right team."

However, Maxime does note that there is a surprisingly large range of flooring materials that can be used with this kind of system: "Our floors are custom-designed for each project, allowing us to accommodate virtually any finish material approved by its manufacturer for submerged applications."

The bigger consideration, he says, is the issue of water treatment systems: "We generally do not recommend the use of salt chlorinators, as the chlorination process introduces electrical currents into the water that can significantly accelerate corrosion of metallic components." Instead, Maxime recommends alternative solutions, such as "UV disinfection, ozone treatment, and automatic liquid chlorine dosing systems," all of which can maintain high-quality water as well as lower chlorine levels and avoid the risk of corrosion.

Despite how simple it may look in the video, the reality behind this design is far more complex than you may think. Because the pool is fully integrated into the garden, all the rest of your planning decisions will have a direct impact, so plenty of forethought and thorough planning are absolutely essential. In fact, Charlotte says, "I think people often underestimate how much planning needs to happen before installation begins. "

The pool is just the tip of the iceberg, she says, explaining, "Our team was responsible for choosing the garden paving, the outdoor kitchen, and furniture, as well as the finishes for the back elevation of the house. Lighting, drainage, landscaping, access for maintenance, and the surrounding materials all need to be considered from the outset to ensure everything integrates beautifully."

With this in mind, Charlotte strongly recommends working closely with a professional designer. Without an expert's opinion at hand, it can quickly all start to feel rather confusing.

Are They Worth It?

Now, onto the real question: are these designs actually worth it?

"For most residential projects, the primary consideration is budget," shares Maxime. "A movable pool floor provides exceptional safety, flexibility, and additional usable outdoor living space, but it is also a significant investment." On average, you can expect a design like this to cost upwards of £150,000, with larger, more extravagant designs costing anywhere between £300,000 and £700,000, with Maxime noting that some designs can even creep towards the millions. Not a budget option by any means.

If you are in a position to spend this kind of money, though, what you'll want to think about is what exactly you want to get out of your garden. Is your garden primarily an entertaining area, or is it a space for your children to play around? These details can help you identify whether or not this type of pool will be a beneficial addition for you.

The most appealing element of these designs comes from the options they open up for your outdoor space. "A retractable pool isn't simply a luxury feature; it's a way of making one outdoor space perform multiple functions," explains Charlotte. "If you're short on space, particularly in London, that flexibility can completely transform how a garden is used."

It's also important to consider the costs that come after the initial installation, too. Though they're unlikely to be quite as high as that initial sum, the cost of maintaining and looking after a pool of any kind will always be relatively expensive, as they require consistent, specialist care.

With all this in mind, Charlotte still believes that "for the right project, I think the benefits far outweigh the additional investment." Not just a regular pool, these designs transform how your garden is used. "You effectively gain a usable terrace garden and a swimming pool within exactly the same footprint, which is incredibly valuable where outdoor space is at a premium," says Charlotte — and I can't say I disagree.

Stylish Pool Accessories

Even if a retractable swimming pool of your own isn't on the cards for now, there are still plenty of other ways you can get the luxurious dip you've been dreaming of this summer. In fact, our lifestyle editor, Gilda Bruno, has just curated the ultimate guide to the best London hotels with pools, so the hard work is already done; all you need to do is dive in.

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The one trait tied to Zen Japanese gardens designed around soothing interior spaces is their effortless extension. Unlike many Western homes where the garden is boundaried in a way that feels distinct from its interior counterpart, Japanese homes blur the lines almost seamlessly. And that's simply because "the garden is not a separate project," says designer Yoko Kloeden.

Typically, Japanese garden ideas are drawn up right alongside the moodboards for indoor spaces. This way, the two zones weave into each other without fighting to feel out of bounds from each other.

If you're wondering why this is a cornerstone of Japanese design, here's what happens when you neglect your garden. And how to achieve the same effect in an urban home.

What Makes a Japanese Garden Feel Connected to the Home?

"The Japanese word for garden, niwa (庭), originally meant a sacred 'place of earth'. A cleared ground for enshrining divine spirits. It was never a separate possession but an intermediary space between the built and the natural world," says interior designer Yoko Kloeden.

"This distinction runs deep. Traditional Japanese houses are designed around the garden first. This outdoor space is positioned, the house is then constructed to face it, and sliding shoji screens allow entire walls to open so that the boundary between inside and outside dissolves entirely."

Yoko explains that nature is not a backdrop you simply look at through a window. "It's an active presence woven into daily life, shaping how light enters, how air moves, and what you see from every room," she adds.

"Where the Western tradition has historically treated the garden as controlled ornament — a thing to be admired from inside — the Japanese tradition treats it as the organizing principle of the whole home."

What Do You Lose When Garden Design Is Treated as an Afterthought?

"In contemporary practice, architecture, interior design, and landscape design are typically commissioned as separate disciplines, often on different timelines and by different professionals who rarely coordinate. The garden is what happens after the budget is spent," Yoko explains.

"The result is a familiar scenario. Think a rear extension with beautiful glazing that opens onto an unconsidered garden, or planting that bears no relationship to what you see from the kitchen or the dining table. And truth be told, the problems go beyond aesthetics."

When disciplines do not talk to each other, Yoko finds that practical failures follow and indoor-outdoor living divorces. "Be it in the form of floor levels that create a step where there should be a flush threshold, drainage that pools at the back door, or planting that blocks light in winter or causes overheating in summer," she says. "The connection between home and garden is lost not through intention but through a process that never treated them as one thing."

How Can You Incorporate Japanese Garden Design in Modern Urban Homes?

The first rule to designing a garden that flows from inside to outside? Timing. "Garden design should begin at the same moment as interior planning, not be appended afterwards. When both are on the table from the outset, decisions reinforce each other," she says.

"Flush thresholds, recessing door tracks and aligning internal and external floor levels, soften the physical boundary so the space reads as continuous. Cohesive material palettes, such as running the same stone from the kitchen floor to the rear terrace, extend the interior visually into the garden."

Yoko also recommends aligning your landscaping ideas with interior sight lines."What will you see from the sofa, the worktop, or the bath? In one project, levelling a kitchen extension floor with the rear terrace and carrying materials through made a compact west London courtyard feel like a natural continuation of the living space," she recounts.

"And contrary to what you might think, you do not need a large garden. Even a modest London courtyard or a narrow side return transforms when it's conceived as part of the home's spatial composition, not as what is left over outside the back door."

Now, as a method of returning the favor to help your interiors feel just as much a part of your home's lush landscape, the Japanese principle of nagame will help you frame the rewards of your green efforts.

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Famous for its feathered leaves that take on new colors, from green to pink to yellow and scarlet, Japanese maple trees are a popular accent in many contemporary gardens. Also known as acer palmatum, these plants are as favored for their foliage as they are for good fortune.

These lucky garden plants symbolize peace, abundance, and longevity. However, to truly embrace these gifts, it's important to plant them in an appropriate space. And gardening experts say that giving them pride of place is rule one.

These plants don't like to be hidden away. So, here's a more precise idea of where you should plant your Japanese maple tree.

Where Should You Place a Japanese Maple for Good Luck?

"Japanese maples are tied to the wood element in Feng Shui, so tradition has it that planting one in the east or southeast of a garden invites growth, health, and family harmony," says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies.

"Many people also like to plant one near the front of the house, since the color changes through the year are seen as a way of drawing good energy toward the home."

However, she warns against planting it directly in line with your front door. "Feng Shui says that this placement can block the energy rather than welcome it in. So off to the side is better, framing the entrance rather than standing right in front of it," she adds.

"It's also worth noting that filtered light suits them best. And this considered placement has the bonus of keeping the leaf color looking its best, so factor that into where you choose to plant these Japanese garden plants."

If you're doing your research before you find yourself one of these plants, the Acer Palmatum 'Seiryu' from Crocus for deeply cut green foliage. And if you're in the mood for a dramatic visual, this Beni-Maiko Acer Palmatum from GardenersDream is a bold, almost-burgundy variety.

How to Keep It Healthy

"Japanese maples are fairly low-fuss once they're settled, but they do have a few preferences. They like partial shade with a bit of gentle morning sun, and soil that's moist but well-draining and slightly acidic," says Jo.

"Avoid harsh afternoon sun and anywhere too windy, as it'll scorch the leaves, especially on the red varieties. And if you're on heavy clay, a raised bed or a large pot with acid-loving compost will serve the tree much better."

When it comes to these types of maple trees, Jo recommends lightly pruning and only in late autumn or winter when the plant is still dormant. "Any earlier and you risk the tree bleeding sap," she notes. "So just take out anything dead or crossing to keep that lovely natural shape."

It's not just outdoor plants that can be intentionally placed to attract good energy. So if you're looking to sprinkle some luck indoors, I recommend knowing where to place a pothos.

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There's perhaps no landmark more interesting, when it comes to modern architecture, than the Barbican Centre. Yet while it's best known for its divisive brutalist buildings, you could argue it's the surrounding gardens that really make it such a spectacle.

When first conceived, the Barbican's gardens were stark and minimalist, but later brought to life with lush greenery after residents felt it a little too bleak. It's a bold contrast — yes, it's linear, reinforced-concrete architecture is dynamic and impressive in its own way, but it's the softness of the naturalistic, yet structured planting that surrounds it that really makes the place feel magical.

It's something Gina Taylor, founder of East London Garden Design, feels specifically about the Barbican Centre's Beech Gardens, which inspire her own urban garden designs. "I've always loved the Barbican because it feels completely unexpected — this quite raw, Brutalist architecture softened by something deeply immersive and alive," Gina tells me. "The Beech Gardens, by Nigel Dunnett, feel like a kind of urban wilderness. They’re not precious or overly designed in a traditional sense — they’re loose, dynamic, and constantly shifting."

"What’s so powerful is the contrast: that softness of planting set against the hardness of concrete. It transforms the space emotionally. It feels calmer, more human," Gina adds.

It's an extreme example, yes, but there are lessons to be learned about greening urban spaces, whatever the scope of your city garden. So, if you find yourself surrounded by concrete walls, with gray sky rises looming overhead, or just want your garden to feel softer and more natural, here's how Gina would bring the look of Beech Gardens home.

What plants are synonymous with this style of planting for you? What are the hero plants of the Beech gardens?

"In the Beech Gardens, the idea of 'hero plants' shifts away from standout individuals and instead focuses on plants that define the character and rhythm of the space through repetition and presence.

The true heroes are the structural species that anchor the planting. Euphorbia characias is a key player, bringing that distinctive acid-green brightness and strong architectural form that holds the scheme together..

Alongside it, grasses like Helictotrichon sempervirens act as quiet but essential heroes— introducing movement, resilience, and a silvery-blue tone that threads consistently through the garden."

"Another layer of hero plants emerges in the matrix — the species that are repeated in drifts and give the garden its cohesive, immersive feel. Grasses such as Sesleria nitida and Melica ciliata aren’t showy on their own, but en masse they become fundamental, knitting the planting together and creating that soft, naturalistic planting flow.

Then there are the seasonal heroes — to create rhythm and punctuation. Echinops and alliums play this role, delivering vertical accents and bursts of colour that move through the garden over time, reinforcing the sense of seasonality."

What lessons would you take from these gardens if you're planning a garden in an urban plot?

"The key lesson from these gardens is to work with the conditions rather than trying to overcome them.

At the Barbican Estate, the planting responds directly to challenges like deep shade, exposed wind, and dry podium soils — and that responsiveness is what makes it so successful.

There’s also a clarity and confidence in the design approach. A restrained palette is used deliberately, allowing repetition to create impact rather than relying on lots of different species. Plants are arranged in drifts and blocks, which gives the space a strong visual rhythm and a sense of cohesion.

It shows that urban gardens don’t have to feel rigid or overly controlled. They can be loose, atmospheric, and naturalistic — while still being carefully and intelligently designed."

The real magic of the Barbican's gardens is that they're not just there for aesthetics. "There’s a real intelligence behind that," Gina says, "using planting as a system rather than decoration."

And perhaps most importantly, they change how people use the space. The gardens invite you to slow down, to sit, to notice the seasons. That’s something I think all good planting should do — especially in a city."

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The continued demand for indoor-outdoor design means we're seeing an increasing array of interior elements, such as bars and kitchens, making their way outside. While I love being outdoors as much as the next person, it sometimes feels like this approach can compromise the overall effect of spending time in nature itself — particularly when space is tight.

This hit home when I was browsing through the work of some of my favorite landscape studios; the gardens felt refreshingly wild and distinctly lacking in bulky, over-designed elements. Don't get me wrong, I have definitely gazed with envy upon beautifully constructed outdoor kitchens and built-in garden bars... but even if I had the space (and budget), I'd prefer a less structured look for my own garden.

If you don't have a huge amount of outdoor space to play with, it might just be better to set your garden up for what we all really want to be doing out there: relaxing. This is why, when it comes to smaller gardens, the 'Aperitivo Corner' makes so much sense. While all you really need is comfortable seating and some evening rays, there are more than a few ways to elevate the aperitivo experience. Here's how.

Why 'Aperitivo Corners' Are Trending in Small Gardens Right Now?

Aperitivo hour (or apéro to the French) is an Italian pre-dinner ritual enjoyed early in the evening. When I lived in Italy, it was quite possibly my favorite part of the day. It's also the perfect time to enjoy your garden: the heat has waned, the light is beautiful, and the scent of the plants fills the air.

Hosting people for aperitivi is a really effortless way to entertain al fresco. You only need to put on a few light snacks to accompany drinks. If you have a small garden, then a spot to catch the last of the sun can provide just as much joy as an elaborate set up for cooking and hosting outside.

Aperitivo Corners are low-fuss and low-maintenance, but with the right furniture choices and a good position, they can provide just as much as a proper outdoor kitchen or bar. And once you're done, you can generally pack them away, making them perfect for smaller spaces.

Letting go of the idea that your outdoor space has to be able to accommodate large groups of people and elaborate meals means you're free to select some compact furniture pieces that won't overcrowd your garden.

I love the cheerful feel of the terrace in this house by LSD Architects, who selected a petite and playful circular cork table and stools to accompany the built-in window seat incorporated in the home's newly built extension. The design feels intentional and avoids swallowing up half of the terrace.

"The clients’ brief emphasized the importance of entertaining and casual seating options, with the bench offering a welcoming setting for gatherings," says LSD co-founder Luka Anic. The cork table and chairs are a nod to the cork flooring featured throughout the interior."

Where to Position an 'Aperitivo Corner' in a Small Garden

For ease, it makes sense to set up your outdoor seating close to the kitchen so you have easy access. I'm seeing more and more urban homes eschewing bi-fold doors, and choosing instead to install an indoor-outdoor window seat that offers the best of both worlds, whatever the weather.

One such example is Emil Eve's terracotta-hued London extension (pictured above), which features a bench positioned either side of a sliding window that connects the kitchen to the garden. Outside, the C-shaped seating area incorporates tile-clad raised beds and creates a convivial space enshrouded with greenery.

"We created a contemporary interpretation of a traditional bay window, offering expansive lateral views of the garden from within," says studio director Emma Perkin. "A deep window seat in the dining space is matched with an external bench at the same height, creating a really sociable outdoor seating area which feels linked to the kitchen and dining spaces as well as the garden."

The Best Furniture for an 'Aperitivo Corner'

If you need flexibility when it comes to your seating, folding furniture (like this Outdoor Steamer Chair from John Lewis) is your friend. Not only will folding chairs take up less space in storage, but they're also lightweight and portable, which is great if your garden's position means you find yourself chasing the sun in your garden at the end of the day.

I've just bought two Lafuma Butterfly Chairs for my garden, and I absolutely love them. They're incredibly comfortable, can be stashed away in a small cupboard, and are the perfect compromise between an armchair and a lounger. Plus, every time I look at them, I think of summer holidays spent in France.

Some stylish deck chairs will do the same job. In addition to a covered pergola with built-in seating, garden designer Natasha Nuttall added this retro pair into a recent project, which can be easily relocated to different corners of the lushly planted garden.

If you'd like to extend your pre-dinner drinks ritual well into the autumn, a fire pit will keep you warm when the nights start to cool. It's also a surefire way to add atmosphere after dark.

"A fire pit has a remarkable ability to draw people into parts of the garden that might otherwise remain overlooked," adds Tomoko Kawauchi, director of landscape design studio Kawauchi Rowe. "We often position it away from the main terrace, tucked amongst planting or in a quieter corner, so that it becomes a destination rather than something immediately visible from the house."

Tomoko explains that a sense of discovery makes gardens feel richer and more immersive — a principle that can still be applied in smaller outdoor spaces. If you're working with a really tight area, you might want to consider a smokeless fire pit design, such as a Solo Stove (your neighbors will thank you).

There's nothing quite like sipping a spritz at golden hour to make you feel like you're on holiday, so why not lean into the moment with a few well-chosen pieces of tableware?

Go for designs that are suited to being outside (unlike the incredibly thin-stemmed champagne flutes we have at home, which go flying in the first breath of wind). I love a classic Duralex tumbler for water and wine; my chef husband (a touch more particular than I) prefers these Gabriel-Glas stemless wineglasses. (Alternatively, these Waterford stemless wine glasses from John Lewis are a little more affordable.)

Artisanal ceramics in the form of platters, side plates, and tapas bowls will all add character, no matter how tiny your tabletop, as will colorful linens and a great drinks tray.

If all this talk of summer evenings has inspired you to give your outdoor space some love, you may be interested in Livingetc's edit of 50 of the most beautiful summer buys for your garden.

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Full disclosure: I'm a last-minute kind of person. Even though summer is well and truly here, my backyard still looks a little worse for wear. Embarrassing considering what I do for a living, I know, but when you spend all day, every day looking at garden furniture, decision paralysis becomes very real. But then I came across this pretty red Bow Bistro Set from Rockett St. George.

If you ask me, a good garden table and chair set should brighten up your space. And this one does it quite literally. It's definitely one for the maximalists and color enthusiasts, but boy, oh boy, is it sure to make a style statement. Just imagine a refreshing cold beverage and charcuterie board on this stylish set — just as the French intended.

Plus, the whimsical bow-shape on the backs of the seats and the curved leg design make this piece feel unique while also hitting on a few of the hottest garden furniture trends. Rather than just a bistro set that does the job, this red bow set makes a statement, and dare I say, that makes hanging out in the garden that much more fun.

Red might feel bold against the calming green palette of the natural world, but as natural complements on the color wheel, red and green provide a visually pleasing contrast in outdoor color schemes. Think of this delicate, curved iron table as a bright red flower blooming against your plants and foliage. And to make the hue feel like even more of a natural addition, style it with a tonal array of terracotta planters and dusty pink garden furniture.

The main theme with garden furniture in 2026 is that it's not afraid to have a little fun. Our patios, porches, and pool decks can (and should) feel like an extension of our homes. And if your home has a maximalist flair, well, this fiery take on the curved outdoor furniture trend makes it that much easier to bring your personality al fresco.

Below are a few more outdoor seating options with extra whimsy to help enrich those fun, stylish, sun-soaked evenings ahead.

Why not have a little fun with your garden decorating ideas this summer? As they say, fortune favors the bold!

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This season, I've scoured most interior brands looking for the best pieces to buy for the garden. Chairs you'll want to lounge in, dining pieces that make al fresco dinners more enjoyable, and accent tables that could be styled indoors as well. And one material that I keep coming back to is rope. Rope outdoor furniture is a classic choice, but when combined with contemporary ideas and the hottest outdoor furniture trends, well, it feels surprisingly elevated.

First of all, there are a few ways to do rope outdoor furniture. There is the traditional rope material that nods to a very nautical aesthetic. Then there are high-performance cords made of materials like polyester that are particularly resistant to UV rays and moisture. The latter typically comes in stylish colors and applications, while the former provides a more natural, traditional look. Basically, rope outdoor furniture combines form and function, and makes for a dependably fashionable outdoor material.

So, to determine whether this garden furniture style is right for your outdoor space, I did a bit more research across several of the best garden furniture brands. Below is when, where, and why you should choose rope outdoor furniture for your garden — plus a curated list of my current favorite ways to shop this style.

Why Is Rope Outdoor Furniture Trending?

When choosing pieces for your garden, you want outdoor furniture that will last and elevate your space. So, why is rope a dependable option? Well, as mentioned, contemporary styles often use a synthetic rope weave that withstands UV rays, moisture, and mildew, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use — great for anyone who wants a low-maintenance garden.

But how does it differ from something like rattan garden furniture? In fact, the natural, woven aesthetic is quite similar to rattan. But "Most rope outdoor furniture is made using strong, low-maintenance and water-repellent marine-grade rope, which makes it very durable in comparison to natural rattan," Danielle Le Vaillant, outdoor furniture expert at Cox & Cox, tells me.

Plus, rope is very visually appealing in an outdoor space. "Durable rope outdoor furniture gives a soft, romantic look that doesn't bear too heavily on your space, as the rope lattice weave lets light shine through," Danielle adds. Rope won't feel too heavy or overwhelming, which is especially helpful in small garden ideas or hot, sunny gardens.

Its natural texture is another standout feature. You can opt for a jute-like variation, something more colorful, or a sleek minimalist rope, but every time, it adds that beautiful tactile element.

Sounding like a chic rope outdoor furniture piece is missing from your garden setup? One thing to note: "Like all outdoor furniture, it needs to be completely dry before being covered or stored away for the winter, or mold and mildew stains may appear," warns Danielle. So, best practice is to cover or store during harsh weather.

How to Style Rope Outdoor Furniture

Luckily, rope outdoor furniture is very easy to incorporate in most garden decor schemes. It's more a matter of what pieces you want to sport this material and the garden furniture colors you want to incorporate.

Danielle says, "Woven rope designs are ideal for creating a romantic Scandinavian-style outdoor." Contemporary rope furniture tends to be more minimalist in style, but with a subtle flair. And most often, rope outdoor chairs, coffee tables, and sofas sport a very laid-back style. Hence, it works well in a Scandi garden style. Still, "The rope adds a layer of texture that will complement the natural elements and greenery of your garden," adds Danielle.

And rope is very flexible, so you can really put it anywhere or on anything. "It's particularly great for outdoor seating where it both supports and moves for added comfort," says Danielle. Something like an outdoor lounge chair or a garden table and chairs set would be great in a rope material for this reason.

As for how to incorporate rope outdoor furniture into your existing garden scheme, many styles use a combination of Acacia wood and rope, which creates a nice contrast that makes rope even more adaptable.

Combine that with a fashionable color trend, and you'll be well on your way to a more stylish garden. "Rope outdoor furniture designs with black, charcoal, or even navy blue are particularly effective in urban style gardens," Danielle says. Or choose a bold red, pink, or orange for something warmer.

Then the rest is up to you. "Accessorize with this season's striped garden furniture trend like cushions and parasols to give a lovely contemporary coastal appeal that works brilliantly in small and urban spaces," recommends Danielle.

So, that's everything I've learned about rope outdoor furniture and why it's an adaptable, hard-wearing, and fashionable choice for your garden. And it's typically an affordable garden furniture material, too — another big win for rope.

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When shopping for garden furniture, I'd forgive you if you accidentally overlooked IKEA's outdoor sofa offering at first. Admittedly, it's not the first place I'd think to go either, but after spending an afternoon sitting on every style I could find in their showroom, I've got to admit: I'm pretty impressed.

Not only are IKEA's outdoor sofas available at the brand's famously affordable prices, but some models have some serious Scandi style, too. Options might not be as plentiful as other garden furniture brands, but depending on how you want to look at it, sometimes less choice can be a blessing.

As for which of IKEA's outdoor sofas to choose, I have become quite astute at picking a quality design over the last few years, and, as part of researching for this article, I spent an afternoon running — okay, there was a lot of lounging involved, too — around my local IKEA, testing every outdoor sofa I could sit on.

Three IKEA outdoor sofas really tickled my fancy, but when I looked online afterwards, I discovered two more that hadn't been on the showroom floor that day, but I really wished had been (so they get an honorable mention). So, without further ado, these are the only IKEA outdoor sofas you really need to know about.

NÄMMARÖ

Those who know know that as far as IKEA outdoor sofas go, the NÄMMARÖ series is a fan favorite. In fact, it's regularly completely sold out in the UK as a result. So, of course, I had to give it a try for myself.

To start, a disclaimer: I did not sit on the 2-seat NÄMMARÖ. I sat on what was essentially a sectional version, built out with the two-seaters and other NÄMMARÖ series components. Overall, though, it was basically the same product, and its modularity is one of the things people love most about this IKEA outdoor sofa.

As for my thoughts, this is quite a chic sofa. The seat is super firm (which shouldn't be too shocking; the frame is wood), and comfortably deep. The cream-colored cushions might be best suited for a covered patio, as I would imagine they get dirty quite easily, but they are also removable and washable, which is good.

But don't just take it from me. This IKEA outdoor sofa is rated 4.7/5-stars after 64 reviews, with one customer writing: "The long wait for it all to be back in stock was totally worth it. It's super comfortable and looks great in my garden. Some reviewers mention that the cushions slip. I haven't found this at all, as the seat cushions are anchored to the frame with elastic fixings. The DUVHOLMEN cushions with cream FROSON covers are very comfortable, and my dogs' muddy paw prints wipe off easily with a damp cloth. My only regret is that I didn't get one years ago!"

TEGELÖN

The TEGELÖN is not your average IKEA outdoor sofa. It's pretty minimal, as you can tell from my photo above, and comes as part of a conversation set, which is complete with two chairs and a coffee table. Despite appearances, I thought this was comfier than anticipated.

Is it the same feel as sitting on a couch with cushions? Not at all. But it's a good option for a front porch set-up, and would require a lot less care than something with true seats. I like that it's black, as well, which is yet another safeguard against stains and marks. And it's currently on sale.

Looking at reviews, one customer identified a bit of an annoying point: it's currently only available to purchase as a complete set rather than individual pieces, which could be restricting depending on the size of your garden — but that's what Facebook Marketplace is for, right?

VITTSKÄR

The VITTSKÄR is probably the most traditional of these three IKEA outdoor sofas. It has very plush cushions and a very deep sit, with a plastic/rattan frame. Due to its size, I'd say it's better for backyards and patios than a small balcony.

And while the plastic isn't quite as nice as the Acacia wood on the NÄMMARÖ, it's definitely easy to care for and quite durable. You should have no problems with this sitting on an uncovered patio (white cushions aside).

Also, I liked that the chaise is movable, so you can turn whichever side you like into the sectional or even treat the ottoman as a 'coffee' table. Alternatively, there is a matching coffee table, too.

While it currently only has one review online, it's remarkably positive. "This IKEA outdoor sofa has ample space for extra cushions along the back and is very comfortable to lie out on," it reads. "I love that I can replace any cushions or parts in the future if need be, as it is totally modular and you can even just buy a new cushion insert. The fabric is smooth and very easy to clean."

The review does note one drawback, though. "The seat cushion toggles have nothing to attach to, so I just linked them to each other at the back of the cushions. I ended up buying another backrest and back cushion for the ottoman part, as otherwise the end cushion would just slide around, and the zipper is visible on three sides."

Honorable Mentions

I did not get to try these options in-store, but I did look into them online. And they're on this list as much for positive customer reviews as they are for style.

FAQs

Does IKEA Have Good Outdoor Furniture?

Absolutely, it does! IKEA's outdoor furniture is as strong as its indoor offerings. There might be a tad less of it, which makes sense, but it's still a great place to shop for all your porch and patio needs, especially if you're looking to save a couple of dollars.

What Is the Best-Looking IKEA Outdoor Sofa?

I did not get to try it in-store, but I am very impressed with the look of IKEA's TVARÖ outdoor sofa. It's a simple, clean design with a sort of hand-assembled, rattan frame. Looks very chic. What's more, it is — you guessed it — modular, which ensures longevity, practicality, and bang for your buck.

But if you think these outdoor sofas are good, just wait until you see IKEA's sofa offering for indoors — and yes, before you ask, I spent an afternoon sitting on these too, and have shared my insight into which styles are actually worth shopping.

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On every street, there's always at least one house that sparks whispers of disapproval from the neighbors. Perhaps it's the topic of a neighborhood group chat, or it could be kept to hushed complaints in private; either way, it's drawing attention, and not in a good way. And if you can't think of one on your street, there's a high chance that it could be you.

It's one thing to have a front yard that doesn't represent the true value of your home, but it's another thing entirely when your front yard is in such bad shape that it actually turns your neighbours against you. There are plenty of things that could cause this, from a neon pink front door to a wildly overgrown tree in your front garden. These little mistakes don't just impact your curb appeal, making it harder for you to sell your house once you're ready to leave, but they can also impact your experience while you're living there, too.

No one wants to be the neighborhood enemy, especially not on the basis of a messy front yard. So, if you're ready to put an end to those dirty looks and finally get added to the neighborhood WhatsApp group, these are the mistakes to avoid.

1. Overgrown Hedges

I get it, we can't all be given the gift of green fingers, but even if gardening doesn't come naturally, you still need to find a way to keep your front yard in order. Not just for your sake, but for the sake of your neighbors, too.

The problem with an overgrown, neglected lawn is that it doesn't just impact you; it affects your neighbors, too. And if you've got a particularly houseproud resident as a next-door neighbor, chances are they won't be the biggest fan of your attempt at the 'messy gardening' trend.

Explaining the various effects an overgrown yard can have on your neighbors, Devin Henry, from Nomadic Real Estate, says, "Overgrown hedges push weeds and pests into neighboring yards. Dead grass on one property drags down the whole block's appeal. Neglected trees hanging over a neighbor's roof stop being an eyesore pretty fast and start becoming a liability that nobody budgeted for."

Beyond that, these little issues can signal something larger to prospective buyers. Things like overgrown hedges or unruly plants can create "the impression that a home isn't being looked after," suggests Ryan Wenham, founder of Larsen Architecture, which can put a buyer off of your property before they've even stepped through the door.

Luckily, though, for the most part, these front garden mistakes have relatively simple, quick fixes; they just require a little bit of time and effort, and the look of a well-cared-for front garden will far outweigh the inconvenience of spending a few hours pruning and gardening.

2. Ignoring Your Surroundings

Inside your home, your interior design style is an opportunity for self-expression, a chance to bring your personality to life through color and material. On the exterior of your home, however, you may want to pay some thought to how much you choose to express yourself.

"Personality absolutely matters, but it works best when it’s restrained. The front of a home should feel calm, cohesive, and quietly considered rather than busy or cluttered," explains Nina Harrison, from Haringtons UK. The aim of your design should be to find the things that make your front yard feel more welcoming, and find ways to incorporate them while still staying true to your own style.

As tempting as it is to be bold and stand out from the crowd, this is best reserved for the interior of your home. In your facade, the key is consistency. If your street has a clear aesthetic style, going against it won't make your neighbors see you as a maverick or a rebel; they'll just find you annoying.

This is one of the most common problems Chris Murphy runs into while working as a staging specialist and real estate expert. It's a trap of individualism, fuelled by people's desire to feel unique. But, as Chris explains, "All houses on a street should not be identical, but a house should fit in. Installing a neon front door, a giant fence, a bright floodlight, or converting the front yard into a parking area might be appropriate for one particular homeowner, but will detract from the entire character of the street." It's important to consider your home as one part of a whole, and think about how your design choices may affect your home's relationship to its surroundings,

This doesn't mean there's no space for self-expression, it just has to be done thoughtfully. For example, Sebastian Hipwood, co-founder of Blue Book Agency, says, "If you are in a row of white or cream houses, you can still stand out, but it needs to feel considered. Soft tones like sage green, pale blue, or a gentle pink work because they sit comfortably alongside their neighbors. What doesn’t work is anything too heavy or jarring that breaks the rhythm completely."

Your front door color doesn't have to be identical to your neighbors', but it always looks best if they at least come from the same color palette.

3. Bright Spotlights

You may think your new, powerful outdoor floodlights are just about the greatest thing you could add to a front yard, but the chances are, your neighbours will think otherwise.

It's something Chris has seen time and time again: "A homeowner installs bright outside lighting for security or for guests renting out their home for the night or weekend, but the lights interrupt a neighbor's bedroom or can interfere with the tranquility of the evening."

As much as those outdoor lights may help you navigate your space in the dark, your neighbours didn't sign up to that, and it's likely that the light will end up spilling into their yards, too, especially if you live in close proximity to one another.

It's never the intention, but it can be tricky to see when your floodlights are affecting neighboring homes and, as Devin says, "Misdirected floodlights pointed directly at neighboring windows create a nightly disruption that your neighbours will feel every single time it triggers."

4. Neglected Maintenance Work

"When small exterior problems become visible long-term problems, that can annoy your neighbors to no end," shares Alan Atchley, owner of Atchley Properties.

What may have started as a small issue can, over time, become a major cause of irritation for surrounding homeowners. We're talking about things like a broken gate, a peeling paint job, or even a patch of dead grass. They may all seem minor at first, but if you never bother to get them fixed, it's likely to play on your neighbours' nerves after a while. They'll also be causes for concern for prospective buyers, too, who could take any signs of wear and tear as a sign the home is not properly cared for.

These little issues don't require masses of effort to fix, even fixing brown patches on your lawn is entirely doable; it's just about staying on top of the maintenance so you can catch them before they get worse. "Curb appeal is similar to self-grooming. It doesn't need to be flawless, but people are aware if the basic things are overlooked," notes Alan, "A house needs to have clean paint, trimmed edges, working lights, and a tidy entry so the neighbors know it is being cared for."

5. A Cluttered Landscape

And finally, an issue that's all too easy to fall for, much to the chagrin of your neighbours: a cluttered front yard. This can take all different forms, from stored vehicles to visible bins, but the consistent throughline is the less stuff left out, the better.

As Nina shares, "What tends to undermine curb appeal is visual noise, bright plastics, discarded bikes, bins on display, tangled hoses, or anything that feels temporary or out of place."

It may seem like the most convenient place at the time, but treating your front yard like a garden shed is a sure-fire way to turn your neighbours against you, and not to mention, put off potential buyers,

If you really want to get the energy in your front yard right, follow these feng shui front garden tips. And for more helpful ideas, subscribe to our newsletter.

I always like to pick up a new hobby in the summertime; a little craft or activity to throw myself into over the warmer months, and this year, I've finally decided to dig in and explore the world of gardening. And if I've learned one thing so far, it's that I've got a lot to learn.

One of the biggest learning curves I've had is just how much support some of my plants need. And I'm not just talking about words of affirmation and emotional support here; I mean literal, physical support. The issue is, though, that most traditional trellises require a wall for support, and since I chose to plant my veggie patch smack dab in the middle of the garden, that's not going to work. I could use regular bamboo supports, but I've found that they can be a tad too flimsy. Plus, as a novice gardener, I have no real idea of just how much more growth my plants have in them, and I don't want to commit to a tiny trellis, just for my cucumbers to outgrow it in a month's time. So, when I stumbled across this expanding, Expanding Freestanding Trellis Fence on Amazon, it was pretty much a no-brainer purchase.

It's not just my cucumber-related issues that this trellis is good for; this clever design can solve a whole number of outdoor problems, including making for an excellent, not to mention very pretty, garden screening idea. Want to create a barrier around your flower beds? No problem. Need a little aid for your new climbing roses? Easy fix. This expandable design can even be used as a garage gate, should you need one. And the best thing is that it works no matter the size of your space — you can easily adjust it to make it larger or smaller. It really is a do-it-all design, and at less than £55, I'd be shocked if you could find something better out there.

Clever Alternatives

Outsunny's Trellis not quite the right fit for your backyard? Not a problem, I've picked out six alternatives that are just as stylish and practical, so you're bound to find one that will work.

Not totally sold on trellises? A designer used reinforcing mesh in this garden scheme as a clever and stylish way to add more privacy.

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I don't know about you, but I love the idea of treating each of my living spaces to a touch of good luck. And while many focus these efforts indoors, why not bring it outdoors for the season (and well after) through some intentional garden design?

According to experts, Japanese maple, star jasmine, olive trees, peonies, citrus, marigolds, and bamboo are some of the most auspicious plants you can introduce into your modern garden.

Now, there are three things I recommend looking at as you start the process of choosing a lucky plant to bring home. First, consider its stylistic value against your own garden. Second, think about whether it's the kind of plant you can sustain. And third, select a lucky plant that aligns with your desires. Here are seven lucky garden plants to choose from.

1. Japanese Maple

"People often think of Acer palmatum as an indoor element, but most of the traditions actually started outdoors," says Mirela Bajic, senior garden designer at House Designer. "In Japanese culture, Acer palmatum is associated with peace."

She explains that these maples work very well in small gardens, housed in large pots. So if you're exploring Japanese garden design and want to involve some luck, these plants are a beautiful way to begin.

This Acer Palmatum Dissectum 'Firecracker' from Gardening Express will add a pop of red. Or you can go for this Acer Palmatum 'Seiryu' from Crocus for a leafier, more verdant green corner.

2. Star Jasmine

Shane Kingsbury, landscape architect at Inspired Exteriors, tells me that star jasmine is another lucky garden plant to consider. "It's a staple in many modern gardens for good reason," he says.

"Small white flowers are paired with a big, bold fragrance," he describes. "And star jasmine climbs a trellis beautifully, turning a dull wall into a lush feature. Plus, it represents love and good fortune across many cultures, too."

This Star Jasmine from Crocus will give you a classically pretty flourish of flowers. Or, you can plant this Trachelospermum Jasminoides 'Star of Toscana' from Crocus for yellow blooms.

3. Olive Tree

If you adore the vibe of a Mediterranean garden, then you'll be pleased to know that olive trees are another famously lucky outdoor plant. "These trees are an ancient symbol of peace, longevity, and prosperity," says Mirela.

"And if that wasn't enough, it's also drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it a lovely option for hotter climates and spaces that require less frequent care," she adds.

This Olive Tree in a Hessian Gift Bag from M&S is a wonderful gift for your fellow green-thumbed friends. But it's also too good to pass up for your own home. And if you want to add an element of intrigue, this Olive Tree with Spiral Stem from Thompson & Morgan is worth checking out.

4. Peonies

"Another outdoor lucky plant that's not popularly talked about is peonies," says Mirela. "It's typically a symbol of good fortune, honour and romance, especially in Chinese tradition where they are known as the king of flowers."

She goes on to add that peonies possess large, generous blooms that make a garden feel fuller and more alive, too. So, if you want to go this floral route, this Peony 'Double Pink' from Thompson & Morgan is a pretty choice.

I also spotted this Paeonia 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' from Crocus that combines the best traits of herbaceous and tree peonies into one gorgeous plant.

5. Citrus

If you know how to Feng Shui a patio with plants, then you're probably already in the know about the lucky side of potted citrus plants. These bright specimens add a burst of color and visual energy to any space.

And when it comes to auspiciousness, citrus plants are known to attract wealth and prosperity when styled outside. As for which citrus exactly, there are a couple you can choose from. This Orange Tree from Thompson & Morgan or Kai the Kumquat Tree from Patch Plants would be great choices, and I also love the idea of Vivi the Lemon Tree from Patch Plants.

6. Marigolds

"Marigolds are one of my favourite lucky plants that really pop in a garden," says Shane. "A very reliable border plant with a long flowering time and a burst of color that gives off a happy, bright feeling."

Culturally, he explains that they're associated with good fortune across a lot of traditions. "And aesthetically, it's pretty hard to feel flat walking past a well-planted marigold border," he adds.

These Tagetes Patula 'Strawberry Blonde' from Crocus are a bushy, dwarf variety that will work even in smaller lush zones. Or you can plant these Verve French Boy Orange Marigold Flower Seeds from B&Q.

7. Bamboo

"Bamboo has long been associated with luck, resilience, and growth in East Asian traditions," says Mirela. "From a design point of view, it visually adds height, movement, and a soft screening quality to an outdoor space."

So, whether you're on the hunt for plants to add privacy or you're simply looking for some green luck, bamboo is a lovely option. This Fargesia Rufa Bamboo from Crocus and this Campbell Bamboo from Beards & Daisies should be on your radar.

If You're Potting Your Lucky Plants

Now, your lucky plants can only offer auspiciousness if they are in good health. So, I recommend a mid-summer garden reset to ensure your plants thrive through the hot weather.

And for more design tips to enrich your indoor and outdoor spaces, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

Right now is the perfect time to get a bar cart for your garden. The sun’s out, the days are longer, and if you love having people over, this is the thing that can really change up your afternoons.

I always like to make sure everything’s set before guests arrive — glasses, plates, drinks, ice, napkins, and those little extras. I want to spend time with my friends, not running back and forth to the kitchen. That is exactly where an outdoor bar cart becomes a useful focal point. It can serve as both an outdoor bar idea and a serving trolley, or an extra surface for snacks, while still fitting into the rhythm of your outdoor setup. And that is what makes it such a clever investment.

Choose a style made from weather-resistant materials, with good proportions, and enough character, and it can move with you from garden gatherings to evenings indoors. After searching through hundreds of options online, I have narrowed it down to 12 of the best outdoor bar carts for entertaining in style this year.

And while outdoor bar carts are brilliant for summer hosting, it is also worth thinking beyond the garden. Some of the most design-forward indoor bar carts can transition beautifully between spaces, working as a drinks trolley in the living room, a serving station in the dining room, or an extra surface outdoors when the weather allows.

If you are still looking for the right outdoor furniture or hosting pieces, a second eye can be useful. Through Find, our free product sourcing service at Design Lab by Livingetc, you can send us your brief and budget, and we will pull together a short, tailored edit of pieces that could help shape the setup.

Don't get me wrong, I love spending time out on my patio come summertime, but between my sunlounger and the fact I've now pulled my bike out of storage for the season, the space is starting to look like a cluttered mess. And while there are plenty of dividers out there that would help me zone the space better, because it's small, I don't want to dominate it with anything too tall or solid-looking. The solution? IKEA's VISINGSÖ Plant Stand.

Not too tall or looming, and adding some much-needed softness through leafy foliage, this mesh-like plant stand can be used to subtly divide an outdoor space without dominating a smaller one. The mesh makes the plants appear to float, meaning the divider has less visual weight in the space — especially when compared to other patio dividers or screens, which can feel bulkier and more dominating. Plus, the green color blends in with your plants, helping it to sink into the background even further.

While it won't provide as much privacy if you want to screen out neighbors, for example, this plant stand is perfect for smaller gardens that could benefit from subtle zoning or hiding smaller details (like my bike) from sight.

You could also use this indoors. Perhaps in the kitchen holding herbs, or behind a sofa to add some softness and greenery to the space. If your home office sits in another space (like a spare room or the living room), it could even be a nice way to zone the space, creating privacy without blocking light. I could even see it refashioned as a bar cart, with bottles filling the top.

If for whatever reason the IKEA VISINGSO Plant Stand doesn't quite work for you, here are six other similar plant stands that I think would work to divide your patio (or indoor areas) without compromising on natural lighting or style.

If it's really privacy that you're after, you may be pleased to know there are ways to add privacy to gardens without buying anything new, whether that's training climbing plants or rearranging the furniture you already have.

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If you're anything like me, you may be tiring of bouclé, or at least conscious that it's becoming a bit of a design cliché. In truth, the textural looped yarn is a timeless look, but there's one new way to style it that feels more interesting, more expensive, and more unexpected right now: outside.

Taking viral bouclé fabric — which translates to ‘curled’ in French — onto patios and terraces gives it a fresh take, making it feel more unexpected and expensive. "As outdoor areas become true extensions of the home, we’re looking for the same comfort, texture and considered design outside," says Chris Cooke, head of design at King Living.

But this outdoor furniture trend isn't as simple as dragging your favorite bouclé armchair out into the fresh air. There are specific fabrications designed to withstand the weather. So, here's everything you need to know about taking bouclé furniture outside, and how to get the trend right.

Why Outdoor Bouclé Furniture Is Trending

Helping to create sensory homes conducive to rest and relaxation, bouclé is the pinnacle of ASMR decor. Soft and strokable, it’s made by weaving two yarns together — one twisted and the other loose — to create its signature knotted texture. Arguably, it was the iconic Womb chair by Saarinen for Knoll that pioneered bouclé back in 1948, with the design sparking the concept of furniture to quite literally ‘curl up in’. Now, it’s making its way outside where it gives your al fresco the feel of a luxury hotel.

Chris Cooke, head of design at Australian brand King Living (which has developed a specific bouclé for outdoor spaces), tells me that the enduring appeal comes from it looking both contemporary and timeless. He says: "Rather than relying on bold color or pattern, bouclé creates subtle visual interest through its weave, making it easy to incorporate into a broad range of interior and exterior spaces."

But why are we taking bouclé outside? Well, it's all about creating the look and feel of an 'outdoor living room'. But it needs to be designed for the outdoors. Rather cleverly, King Living's innovative Zenith fabric isn’t just resistant to moisture, UV exposure and mould, but comes in a raft of colorways designed to complement natural materials and surrounding greenery.

Shop Outdoor Bouclé Furniture

Indoor vs Outdoor Bouclé Furniture

“Bouclé has a way of making furniture feel more considered and inviting, which is why it has remained popular, despite the rise and fall of more fleeting fabric trends,” explains Jonny Brierley, managing director of outdoor furniture company NUMA. “As homeowners seek functional yet stylish pieces for their outdoor spaces, it’s no surprise that bouclé textures are finding their way outdoors, too."

But the biggest difference lies in the performance of the fabric. "While indoor bouclé prioritizes comfort and aesthetics, outdoor versions are engineered to withstand the elements," Jonny explains. "Unlike cheap fabrics that are printed with color on the surface, outdoor bouclé is solution-dyed. This means the pigment is integrated into the fiber itself during production. The result is something that can sit in direct, unrelenting sunlight for years without fading or losing its structural integrity."

NUMA uses a specialized open-cell porous foam and waterproof bouclé. "This allows rainwater to permeate the surface and quickly drain through the bottom of the furniture," explains Jonny. "In most cases, your seat is dry and ready for guests just an hour after a heavy downpour."

Can You Use Outdoor Bouclé Indoors?

Interestingly, designers are using the benefits of outdoor bouclé indoors, too. And why wouldn’t you? “While it works beautifully on outdoor sofas, dining chairs, and loungers, we’re bringing it inside, particularly in high-traffic areas where performance is just as important as aesthetics,” explains Brian Woulfe, the managing director and founder of his Designed by Woulfe studio.

He continues: “My own home features outdoor bouclé on the kitchen banquette, for example, which has proved incredibly successful. It’s a family space, yet the fabric has remained resilient while maintaining the softness and sophistication expected of the material. Most visitors are surprised to learn it’s actually designed for outdoor use.”

So, fair to say, bouclé is not outdated; you may just be styling it in the wrong space. Adding a sensory, textural element to your al fresco — as well as a focal point — it's the last word in luxury for the summer ahead.

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As summer gets underway, our gardens are reaching their prime, bursting with color and vitality. And with the garden in all its glory, and the sun shining, it's peak time for outdoor living.

However, just as we're squeezing maximum joy from our gardens, the sun and rain (or lack of) can take its toll. Plants and flowers can soon start to fade, lawns may be scorched and things may need a zhuzh.

It's not realistic to expect any modern garden to stay looking beautiful for months without intervention. However, with a mid-summer reset, your garden can soon be returned to its former glory.

These are the small tasks landscape designers and garden professionals recommend to refresh your outdoor space now.

1. Deadhead Herbaceous Plants

Most flower gardens are in full bloom at this time; however, as the heat rises and summer progresses, some blooms will start to fade and brown. Being on top of deadheading these plants, without being overzealous, will give your garden a little refresh.

Deadheading herbaceous plants, including roses, salvias, and geums, will focus energy away from producing seed and into the flowering stems to encourage repeat flowering, explains landscape gardener Sarah Kay. "Removing old flowers will also prevent disease and stop prolific self-seeders from setting seed," says Sarah.

"Make your cut just above the next set of leaves. Although bear in mind that some spent flowers, such as hylotelephium, echinacea, and rosehips, provide beneficial food for birds and insects and improve the autumn and winter aesthetic of the garden. Hydrangeas and Group 1 Clematis should be left until early Spring to be removed."

Award-winning landscape gardener Kate Gould always deadheads her roses to encourage a second flush of blooms. "They might not be as full and lush as the initial blooming, but a second flush of Roses is always worth the effort," says Kate.

These Niwaki Sentei secateurs from Crocus are ideal for tackling thorny rosebushes.

2. Prune Fast-Growing Climbers

As beautiful as they are on a front facade or clambering over a pergola, some fast-growing climbers can become a tad out of control by the height of summer, wrapping themselves around cables, or overhanging door or window frames a little too much. For some climbing vines, it's a good time for a trim.

"Wisteria should receive a summer prune in July, with the wispy stems cut back to 5/6 leaves to allow air circulation and encourage flower bud formation," says Sarah. "Climbing roses and clematis should be tied horizontally into their supports to encourage more flowers."

These Burgon & Ball secateurs from Crocus are great for general pruning and come with a 10-year guarantee.

3. Stay on Top of Watering

Watering needs vary according to where you live. If you've had some summer rain showers, have designed a dry garden, or have an irrigation system installed, you may be able to relax a little. However, most flower beds, vegetable patches, and container gardens will need some supplemental watering at the height of the summer.

"Unless you have a completely drought-tolerant garden, watering is key during the Summer months," says Sarah. "To encourage deeper, stronger root growth, water for longer, but less frequently, aiming for the roots of your plants.

"Always water early morning or in the evening to avoid excessive evaporation. Pots will require daily watering in the height of summer, if there has been no rain, and always water pots until the water drains from the bottom."

This stainless steel hose from Thomson & Morgan is pierce-resistant and super strong with multiple spray options.

4. Stake Leggy Plants

With the combination of sun and rain (or supplemental watering), many plants have a growth spurt. This can result in some tall plants becoming 'leggy'. Their thin stems are then at risk of being toppled by their blooms, which can damage the plant.

"If plants have become tall and leggy, make sure they are staked," says Kate. "Ideally, this would be done earlier in the year, but sometimes life gets in the way, and with wet and warm weather, plants grow quickly.

"If possible, try and use metal hoops or stakes, rather than bamboo canes, as these support the plants better. Rusted color supports work really well because they disappear into the foliage."

This Garden Gear half-round plant support from Thompson & Morgan makes light work of staking plants.

5. Replenish Containers

As the heat of the summer intensifies and early annuals start to fade, container gardens can start to look a little lackluster. However, the addition of a new plant or two can soon revitalize them.

New York-based landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni replenishes her summer planters in a few ways. ''Swapping in one large, eye-catching plant like a lush fern can instantly refresh an arrangement," says Kat. "It draws attention away from anything that's looking a little tired.

"Alternatively, you could tuck a few seasonal plants, like Euphorbia, into empty pockets, or add some oomph with a new spiller that trails over the edges. Dichondra or creeping jenny are my 'go-to."

This gorgeous Copper Shield Fern from Plants for all Seasons would add architectural interest to containers.

6. Sow New Annuals

A mid-summer reset is not just about instant transformation; some gardening jobs done now can see you through til fall. It's not too late to sow seeds or plant plugs in flower beds or pots for a later show of pretty annuals.

Gardener and author of Month-by-Month Gardening New York, Kate Copsey, likes to do this in July. "A few quick-growing annuals such as calendula and zinnias can still be sown in the first few days of July for late-summer bloom," says Kate. "Six-packs of common annuals such as marigolds and petunias are still for sale and are great for filling in those extra little gaps from spring-blooming flowers or to fill out a container with some summer color.

"To keep annuals blooming well all summer, they need to be deadheaded. For most annuals, the dead flowers can be pinched off with just your thumb and finger. Many annuals such as zinnias flower more profusely when they are kept picked."

These Calendula Summer Sunset seeds from B&Q will bloom in shades of orange, yellow, cream and apricot for a striking late-summer display.

7. Move Large Garden Toys

With hotter summers becoming the norm for most parts of the world and water shortages becoming more frequent, many people have decided that lawns are outdated. However, those who have kids may understandably still want them to be able to play on grass.

If that's the case and you still have a lawn, it's a good idea to not let large garden toys stay in one place for too long, if you want your grass to stay healthy.

"Move garden toys, such as kiddie paddling pools and slip-and-slide water toys, around the lawn every few days or weekly during summer," says Kate Copsey.

"The constant jumping on the slide, the weight of the pool, and wet feet running over the surrounding grass are not things that a lawn appreciates for long. Additionally, the grass under larger toys needs light to grow."

Of course, sweeping patios clear of leaves and debris, and cleaning up any spillages after entertaining outside is a given. Combined with the advice above, these steps will refresh your outdoor space, so it can continue to provide a beautiful backdrop for summer fun.

And, if you want more inspiration for your home and garden, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter. While you wait for the design download to hit your inbox, try this summer morning reset.

If there's one thing that's been dictating the direction of garden design as of late, it's our growing awareness of the role our outdoor spaces play in relation to the wider environment. And this year, one word is dominating the conversation: permeability.

Nowadays, the way we design our gardens is far less about how they will look and far more about their impact on the local environment. As the effects of global warming become increasingly unavoidable, there's a growing sense of personal responsibility to help upkeep our local ecosystems and support biodiversity, and central to that mission is the idea of permeability.

In short, "Permeability refers to water's ability to pass through the landscape and site surfaces, entering the soil and returning to the earth's aquifers," explains Molly Sedlacek from ORCA. It's what dictates how your garden responds and reacts to water and carries impacts that go far beyond your backyard. "We also like to summarize it as: letting the ground breathe," she says. Here's why this garden trend is so important and how you can design your own permeable garden.

What Does Permeability Mean in Your Garden?

Before we even begin to explain how to design a permeable garden, it's worth taking some time to iron out exactly what we mean by 'permeability' in modern gardens.

Ultimately, this is all about the relationship between your outdoor space and water, and how easily water can be absorbed. "Permeability is about maximizing opportunities for water to flow through soils, mulch, and other loosely paved surfaces, so it can be absorbed 'on site', where it was generated," explains landscape architect Liz Pulver — the more permeable your garden, the more opportunity for absorption.

While most planted areas of your garden, dominated by soil and mulch, are naturally permeable, the hardscaping materials you use elsewhere in the garden may not boast the same claim. Because of this, when we discuss permeability in gardens, paving materials are often the center of discussion.

In planted areas, water can be reabsorbed through the ground; however, "when only hard, paved surfaces like asphalt or concrete are present, water is whisked away and typically drained off-site, into a public drainage system," explains Liz.

With nowhere else to go, our drainage systems can easily become overwhelmed by excess water. And, as the effects of global warming worsen, this problem will only become more prevalent.

"It's becoming an increasingly important part of garden design as we're experiencing more intense periods of rainfall and higher summer temperatures that harden soils and reduce their ability to cope with sudden, sharp downpours," explains Johnny Pearce, co-director of Oltco. "Rather than treating water as something to get rid of as quickly as possible, good garden design now looks at how we can manage it naturally within the space."

Why Does Permeability Matter?

So, why is permeability so important?

Well, the answer to that question is layered. There's not just one reason why; it's far more complex than that, and one of the most overlooked garden design features, so I'll try to break it down one by one.

First of all, and perhaps the most appealing to any houseproud gardener, the permeability of your garden has a direct correlation to the health of your plants. By encouraging excess water to be reabsorbed by the soil, you help to support your plant life, providing them with healthier conditions to grow in.

"Allowing water to remain onsite instead of running into stormwater drains hydrates the soil, which encourages both flora and fauna to thrive, and also allows the soil to filter the water. We create symbiotic health through this water retention," explains Molly Sedlacek from ORCA. It will also help make your garden feel lower-maintenance, too, removing the pressure of keeping up with your watering duties, and, over time, you'll help improve the health of your soil more generally, which in turn will impact the biodiversity in your garden, too — the cornerstone of the 'messy gardening' trend we saw last year.

But it's not just your plants that will benefit from more hydrated soil; it also serves a wider, more far-reaching benefit. As Liz explains, "Any excess water is absorbed and filtered through the soil and mineral layers below grade, and eventually reabsorbed into aquifers below. Aquifers provide drinking water in many parts of the world, and restoring the aquifers regularly helps to keep that groundwater resource available, clean, and healthy long-term."

Maintaining a steady supply of water for these underground filtration systems helps to reduce the risk of droughts and supports this vital source of fresh, clean water.

The permeability of your garden plays a central role in the sustainability of your garden design. Increasing the permeability of your outdoor space helps reduce the risk of issues like puddles and waterlogging, as well as pressure from local drainage systems during times of excess rainfall.

Plus, from a practical viewpoint, Johnny notes, "Homeowners often find that permeable surfaces stay drier underfoot, experience less standing water after rain, and require fewer drainage interventions in the future," making for a more comfortable outdoor area. "As weather patterns become more unpredictable, designing gardens that can cope with heavier rainfall is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity," Johnny adds.

How to Design a Permeable Garden?

Despite what you may think, designing a permeable garden couldn't be easier; in fact, most permeable materials often end up being more affordable than their troublesome alternatives.

To identify whether a material will be a good choice or not, try imagining how easy it would be for water to run through it. For example, materials like concrete flooring and asphalt, which are incredibly solid, are some of the worst choices for a permeable garden.

"These materials are essentially inert and divert water, preventing the earth from receiving it," explains Molly. "If you put yourself in a worm's eye view, they want rich, organic matter to live in. Under a slab on concrete is dry and nutrient-deficient because it doesn't receive nature's ebb and flow." Prioritizing materials that allow for this 'ebb and flow' is the first step in achieving a more permeable garden design.

But, Johnny adds, it's not just the materials themselves that can impact the permeability of your garden, but the way in which they're installed, too. "Even the highest-quality permeable surface won't perform as intended without the correct permeable base beneath it," he says. Similarly, the more tightly packed the pavers are, the less permeable the surface will be.

One of the most popular and stylish options for a permeable design is decorative gravel. Because gravel is not a solid material, it offers more space for water to seep through it and back into the ground. Similarly, Liz says, "Mulch is considered a permeable surface and is low-cost and easy to install. It’s typically made from recycled trees and bark, and so a great way to reuse existing materials."

But, if you're looking for a more solid surface, Molly says, "Clay brick and natural stone are our two favorites because you can sand-set them to create a level, functional surface (including a driveway) that still allows water to pass through. Decking also works great, especially when the land isn't flat, as it floats over the ground."

Even with the most permeable materials, the most effective designs are those that keep any solid paving to a minimum, expanding your planting areas and avoiding completely paved areas.

Making your garden more permeable doesn't have to be overly complicated, either. "You don't necessarily need to redesign your entire garden to improve its permeability. It is often the smaller changes that have the biggest impact," says Johnny. "Replacing areas of solid paving with permeable alternatives, introducing more planting, and incorporating gravel paths or borders can all help rainwater soak naturally into the ground rather than running off into drains. Collecting rainwater in water butts is another simple way to reduce surface water while providing a sustainable source of water for the garden during drier periods."

Looking for more solutions to a waterlogged garden? It's time to learn about the concept of a rain garden — the landscaping style specifically designed to help support gardens through heavy rainfall. And for more design ideas for your garden and beyond, sign up for our newsletter.

If there’s one thing I learnt from the heatwave last week, it’s that there’s no way I’ll be able to survive the whole summer with my thighs sticking to my flimsy plastic garden chair. Summers are for relaxing with an iced beverage whilst reading a book, but to truly soak up the feeling, you need a sunlounger.

Whilst the feeling of basking in the sunshine on a sunlounger is one typically reserved for once-a-year poolside or beach holidays, there’s no reason you can’t up the levels of comfort in your garden. But, of course, it has to look good, and when I stumbled across the Casaria® Rocking Wooden Sunlounger on Amazon, I was impressed. It not only looks incredibly stylish, but its ergonomic design makes it the ultimate relaxation piece for your outdoor space.

Now, rocking isn’t for everyone, so if you have family members looking for a more stable chair, this lounger comes with wooden wedges to make a firmer stand. Best of all, it’s currently on sale for under £85.

If you’re anything like me, physical exertion of any kind during the summer has to be kept to a minimum. Luckily, this lounger is pretty effortless to pack away — without compromising on sturdiness, it neatly folds in half when the unpredictable summer downpours hit your garden, plus the linseed oil finish also helps in case you don’t manage to get it to your ‘garden closet’ in time.

It works indoors too — in front of a fireplace with a blanket draped over the top or in a sauna would look super stylish. But in case you want a more traditional, stable sunlounger, here are six alternatives for a comfort-optimised summer.

Don’t worry if you only like sunbathing in small doses — patio awnings are the latest trend that gives you the option to cool down from the heat without having to retreat back inside, all while adding another layer of luxe to your garden.

And for more ideas for your garden and beyond, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Hydrangeas are known to be a part of summer gardens. Even on screen, the iconic Cousins beach house in The Summer I Turned Pretty, the gardens on Desperate Housewives' Wisteria Lane, and the idyllic Dragonfly Inn from Gilmore Girls feature thriving bushes of these beloved blossoms. But I hate to say, this is not as close to reality as I'd like.

In fact, planting hydrangeas front and center is a summer garden design mistake many landscape designers avoid. Purely because these flowers tend to lose water quickly, and the leaves are prone to scorching. So, what you're left with are sad, droopy blooms.

Which is why designers recommend going for a less traditional and more heat-friendly alternative in the form of verbena. These dainty purple flowers offer texture, height, and color. Plus, they are especially summer-friendly. Here's why designers recommend it instead.

Why Is Verbena the Best Alternative to Hydrangeas?

"If you love the idea of a hydrangea's color but not the upkeep, verbena is a brilliant swap for a low-maintenance garden in the summer. It's remarkably drought-tolerant once established and is happy in full sun and even quite poor soil, so there's no need to fuss over watering," says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies.

"Where hydrangeas give you that dense, rounded mophead look, verbena offers something much lighter and more dynamic. Slender stems rise and hold clusters of small purple-violet flowers, creating a delicate, see-through layer of colour above everything else. It adds height and movement without blocking the view, which makes it brilliant for layering in front of or behind other plants."

Jo also recommends verbena as it flowers from early summer right through to the first frosts. "So you get far more longevity than most hydrangea varieties," she adds. "And it's one of the best plants for wildlife, especially popular with bees and butterflies, making it a lovely choice if you're gardening with fauna in mind."

Also, hydrangeas are famously garden plants that lack scent. In contrast, verbena boasts a fresh, zesty fragrance that feels just right for summer. This Verbena Bonariensis from Sarah Raven and this Verbena Hastata 'Rose' from Crocus are two of my favorite options.

More Alternatives to Planting Hydrangeas Outdoors

"Vitex agnus castum, also known as chaste tree, is a hydrangea alternative that offers beautiful periwinkle spires of flowers on silvery foliage," says landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni. "It looks like a butterfly bush and Russian sage had a baby." This Vitex Agnus-Castus 'Delta Blues' from Thompson & Morgan is a pretty option if you favor blues in your garden color palette.

Speaking of Russian sage, Kat tells me something like Perovskia 'Blue Spire' from Crocus is another beautiful addition to summer backyards. "It's incredibly tough and tolerant of heat, cold, drought, poor soil, and whatever else you throw at it as long as it's full sun," she notes.

"I also recommend planting crepe myrtle for its vibrant flowers, fragrance, and unique bark. Or water-savvy caryopteris for its gorgeous blue flowers that add cool late summer color amidst the more common yellows of the season."

This Lagerstroemia 'Pink Velour' from Thompson & Morgan is ideal if you want a tall flowering tree with a pop of color. Or, you can plant this Caryopteris × clandonensis Pink Perfection from Crocus for a more understated, space-conscious flowering feature.

Stylish Outdoor Planters

Another beautiful way to inject your garden with some summer personality? The potted citrus trend? It's too good to pass up. And for more ideas to dress up your outdoor space, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.

Lights for the garden have come a long way over the past couple of years. Gone are the days of relying on strings and solar spikes to illuminate your outdoor space — it's time for something chicer. When the Pooky x Novogratz outdoor lighting collaboration first dropped in the US, it felt like a colorful, design-forward gift to all of us who like to keep the garden party going well after the sun goes down. The only problem? It wasn't available in the UK.

Flash forward to today, and your postcode is no longer a problem at checkout. The playful array of outdoor lanterns and portable lamps designed by Bob and Cortney Novogratz in collaboration with Pooky is finally ready for an evening in the garden — be that during a heatwave or under more typical gray, British skies.

The garden lighting collection takes timeless vintage silhouettes, such as classic lanterns, and reimagines them for today. "We wanted to make them modern, rechargeable, and versatile, while keeping the charm of the original shape," Cortney Novogratz tells me. Each style brings joy, color, and character to the garden, without the faff of wires and cords. Here's everything you need to know, plus my favorites to shop.

The most noticeable characteristic of the Pooky x Novogratz outdoor lighting collection is the soft array of pinks, blues, greens, and yellows across every piece. It's bolder than your typical backyard color schemes, but the brand has always been known for bold pops of color, Cortney Novogratz tells me. "Recently, we've softened our palette with more pastels, and people have really responded to it," she adds.

Decorating with color is definitely big in 2026, and these softer, optimistic tones are what people seem to be gravitating toward right now, even across garden furniture trends. Plus, an outdoor table lamp or garden light is a stylish, noncommittal way to turn up the saturation outside.

As for the unique shapes of the lanterns and lamp bases, Cortney says they "wanted them to feel fun and sculptural, but also substantial and be durable pieces that could stand up to the outdoors while still making a design statement." The garden dinner party is always more fun when, first of all, you can see your guests, but even more so when you can sit and sip in style.

The joy of upgrading your outdoor lighting ideas to something more akin to the lamps you'd have indoors is that every corner of the garden feels more characterful. This collection caters perfectly to that idea.

When it comes to styling, Cortney recommends "using the lanterns around doorways and entrances, or tucked throughout the garden to add little moments of color and light." Lanterns and solar-powered outdoor lights are adaptable in that way. "With the lanterns, anything goes," she adds. "They’re incredibly versatile and look great just about anywhere."

The other pieces in the collection are also cord-free (they have rechargeable batteries), but Cortney notes, "They are especially perfect for the table — they're designed to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for outdoor dining."

The Pooky x Novogratz lighting collaboration brings color and style to even the smallest decor moments, and further narrows the line between indoor and outdoor decorating. Because a beautiful patio always has good lighting.

For more inspiration and to stay up-to-date on releases like this, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

Outdoor pots are one of the most overlooked elements in garden design. I recently rounded up the best outdoor planters, and it made me realize just how much a planter can change the feeling of a space. People invest in beautiful plants, then place them in whatever container is at hand, and the whole arrangement loses its sense of intention.

Japanese gardens offer a useful reminder: a planter is not just a container; it is part of the composition. The choice of Japanese garden plants matters, but so does the vessel that holds them. The concept of ma, or space, is central here, reminding us that not every corner needs to be filled.

Instead, Japanese-inspired outdoor spaces seek a sense of calm from mixing things up in a thoughtful way, using everything from tall shapes and shallow bowls to simple stone vessels — all placed with intention. Even a small London terrace can feel considered with one strong planter, the right plant, and enough space around it. So, here are 16 to shop.

Perhaps that's the biggest takeaway: you don't need dozens of planters to make an impact. One beautifully chosen vessel and the right plant can often say much more.

If you’d like help finding the right piece for your own outdoor space, the Design Lab by Livingetc FIND service is here for exactly that. Send us your brief and budget, and I’ll curate a tailored edit of three to five shoppable options that work for your space.

Also, for more shopping inspiration and stylist-approved finds, don't forget to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

Container garden design in 2026 is all about opting for oversized statement planters, layering pots for a luxe effect, and striving for the naturalistic look in terms of planting choices. There's also a clear trend for using large tropical plants and trees with interesting architectural shapes in pots to create a focal point.

Landscape designers are choosing to use container gardening ideas in innovative new ways that are a million miles from the dated-looking displays of old, which were all about multi-colored flowers and chi-chi pots. In small space gardens the shift is towards filling one large container or tall linear planter instead of opting for multiple pots.

We asked landscape designers to share their current favorite looks for container planting that sum up the latest aesthetic. So if you're looking to up your game find inspiration with these 5 trends in container planting for 2026 that reinvent the art of creating good-looking pot displays.

1. Grow A Small Tree in a Large Pot Then Add Underplanting

The trend for planting small ornamental trees (especially citrus trees) in supersized containers is a great example of how to make the most of all available space in a compact urban garden. The planting in this container garden design by Tina Worboys is inspired by nature and every element is chosen to enhance the tree in the large planter that forms the central focal point in this small garden.

Natural tones dominate the palette. The large stone-effect planters are created using hypertufa, a mixture of lightweight and sustainable materials and recycled fibres that is trending right now. It makes a far lighter alternative to stone. This means the containers are easier to move around if you want to change up the look.

The main planter here features a shapely, blossom-covered apple tree, one of the best fruit trees you can grow in pots. Underplanted with softly trailing nasturtium, this is a perfect example of the trend for very relaxed, naturalistic container planting.

2. Group Several Containers Together for a Luxe Layered Look

Layering up a mix of tall, medium, and low containers in the same design or color is a creative way to add impact and will instantly give your outdoor living area a more luxe, curated feel. Group together a sculptural evergreen tree like this shapely pine (above center), for example, with a deciduous tree that offers blossom or berries, and an ornamental grass to introduce a balanced, textured look that keeps things interesting.

Varying the heights of a collection of planters is one of the most effective ways to introduce visual drama to a small balcony, patio, terrace or other outside area with limited space, as it stops things looking flat as they can do when everything is on one level. Try raising some pots while keeping others on the ground, as even small adjustments like this can make the space feel more layered and intentional.

Choosing fewer, large pots in co-ordinating natural or matte finishes tends to feel more cohesive than planting up multiple small containers. These ones from John Lewis are a great example.

3. Mix Modern Metal with Mediterranean Planting

Corten steel container ideas seem to be everywhere now so it's refreshing to see a modern new take on galvanized steel instead. The industrial aesthetic of these planters contrasts perfectly with the layers of soft naturalistic planting, like these pots from La Redoute.

"I designed a series of curved planters revolving around a central feature tree as part of this garden redesign," says garden designer Nick Baldwin. "It forms a kind of spinning shape like satellites orbiting the sun. The idea was to avoid a huge area of hard landscaping as the client wanted to get rid of the existing lawn, and we wanted to include plenty of plants, so a design like this was the obvious choice."

Nick wanted the concept to have a natural organic shape, so he chose galvanised steel as it can be formed into curves, plus it takes on an attractive patina with age. Despite being in an urban setting, there was plenty of wildlife in this garden, which Nick also wanted to encourage with the right plants.

"I chose plants with a Mediterranean theme, as the garden has an open, sunny site," says Nick. "They are intended to flop over the edges of the planters and intermingle. I opted for plants like cistus, phlomis, achillea and allium." It can be a good idea to include trailing plants for Mediterranean gardens too as this will help soften the edges.

4. Choose One Large Statement Container With a Sculptural Centerpiece

The type of pot you choose is just as important as the planting, either acting as a focal point in its own right, or remaining more understated and letting the planting take centerstage. Plant selection plays a crucial role in achieving the desired effect too, and the trend designers are leaning into in 2026 is going large with both pots and plants to make a statement.

In this container design by Martha Krempel an architectural tropical plant was chosen to complement the style of the cabin. A large fast-growing Chinese rice paper plant, also known as Tetrapanax papyrifer, available here from Crocus, lends a sculptural softness, the huge green leaves helping to blur the boundaries between structure and nature. Creamy flowers are produced in large sprays as an additional focal point.

Get the same leafy tropical garden ideas in a supersized container with plant varieties like many-fruited aralia (Fatsia polycarpa), giant leopard plant (Farfugium gigantium) and alpine wood fern (Dryopteris wallichiana), all of which were also used by Martha in this garden design.

5. Relax Into The Naturalistic Container Planting Trend

The naturalistic container garden trend that's big this year shifts away from perfectly put together annual displays that go in the green compost bin after one season. Instead the shift is towards a more relaxed approach that sees perennial plants return season after season. They are simply cut back at the end of summer then pop up again next year, when it's a good idea to top up the pot with fresh compost.

This container garden by landscape designer Ollie Pike, which features in a courtyard garden design, leans into this softer, organic aesthetic perfectly with a combination of perennial plants and grasses in a single pot. He also includes tea plants and nettles, simultaneously embracing the ‘edimental’ planting trend that blends edible and ornamental plants together to maximise both productivity and aesthetics in smaller garden spaces. Look for a reclaimed container to complete the look in a sustainable way.

These are just a few of our favorite new container planting themes. But we have plenty more suggestions to share. Now find out the best ideas for low-maintenance plants for pots, as well as container garden design mistakes you'll want to avoid to make sure you hit the right note.

What I love about lighting — both indoors and out — is how one piece can make such a big difference to an entire space; how it looks, how it feels, not to mention its practical benefits. When it comes to outdoor spaces, finding pieces that don't just light up your garden but also add ambience and decorative flair is key to creating a lived-in feel that makes it a true extension of your home, which is what we’re seeing more and more of in outdoor spaces in 2026.

A piece that does this very well is IKEA's SOLVINDEN LED Outdoor Table Lamp. Its modern silhouette is a design statement in its own right, and the on-trend green hue is just the right amount of color to be interesting without being overbearing. The open-stripe style casts a wonderfully magical glow into your space that will make you want to stay out in your garden long into the early hours.

What makes this particular outdoor lantern a great choice, for both small and large gardens alike, is its ease of use and versatility — powered by solar, not only is it a more eco-friendly lighting option, but there's also no need to fuss with wires and outlets, while its handle lets you carry it with you wherever you need it — you could even hang it if you wish. So if you're looking to buy garden lighting that's as multifunctional as it is elegant, at a very affordable price point, then this lantern is one of the pieces to have on your radar.

With a 4.4-star rating, reviewers share they are particularly impressed by its aesthetics, quality, and ease of use — and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a statement-making piece that’s as stylish as it is functional and one customer notes that it still works well even when wet, while another adds, "Despite its low price, the light has a very high-quality appearance. A beautiful blend of minimalism and retro. Makes a beautiful light."

This modern retro lantern will suit any style of outdoor space, making it feel softer, warmer, and more inviting. One of 2026's biggest outdoor lighting trends is gentle layering, and this piece is a great way to tap into the motion. With the myriad of solar lighting options available on the market — and there really are a lot; I see countless flood my inbox every day — the styles that tap into the latest trends while having timeless appeal, all while being pleasantly affordable and versatile are a big win in my book.

Stylish Alternatives

If you're interested in exploring more solar lighting options, IKEA's SOLVINDEN solar-powered outdoor pendant lanterns are just as magical, and can be hung anywhere in your garden.

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We're all aware of the calming effects that being near water has on us. Whether we're observing its millpond stillness, gentle ripples or listening to the trickling droplets of a fountain, the sights and sounds of water soothe the soul.

This is just one of many reasons for the boom in water garden ideas. From fountains and bowls to in-ground ponds and rills, no modern garden is complete without a water feature.

However, where your water feature is positioned can make a big difference to your enjoyment of it. In the right location, it will enhance your garden. In the wrong spot, it could create unnecessary work and potential problems.

Discover the five places landscape designers warn never to put a water feature and how to choose the best spot.

1. Directly Under Trees

It may look lovely, but placing a pond or water feature directly under deciduous trees is a big no-no for landscape gardeners. The obvious reason is dropped leaves. By fall, the surface will be littered with them — and you'll need to scoop them off to keep it clean.

Yet, evergreens aren't ideal either – as it's not just leaves that may be a concern.

"The location and aspect are important when installing water features," says landscape gardener Manoj Malde. "We avoid positioning a water feature under or near trees. Firstly, the roots can damage the liners and pumps.

"Secondly, leaves can also clog up the filtration system, which can cause further issues with the quality of the water. And finally, some trees (like walnut) release chemicals that can be toxic to aquatic plants."

2. In a Shady North-Facing Location

Dark, shady spots in the garden often require cheering up, which we can do with plants suited to less sunshine. However, these areas can often lack the interest and color of other sunnier parts and it can be tempting to place a water feature here. Yet, this would not be advisable.

"Shaded north-facing spots are also problematic for water features," explains Manoj. "Still water with no sun promotes blanket weed and algae in the water. And aquatic plants will struggle to thrive without at least some sunlight.

"Aim for at least partial sun (4-6 hours daily) for aquatic plants to do well. Overly sunny areas can also be a problem causing excessive water evaporation however this can be rectified with an automatic top-up."

3. Exposed Windy Positions

Too much shade isn't good for a water feature or a pond, due to the reasons outlined above, but neither is too much wind. Walk around your garden and observe which way the wind tends to blow and how strongly.

In an exposed but otherwise good location, you could create a tree windbreak nearby to slow down the speed of the wind and provide some protection.

"Exposed, windy positions can also be a problem when considering the position of a water feature," says Manoj. "Wind causes excessive evaporation. You do not want water blowing out of the feature either, especially if you have fountains or jets of water."

Landscape designer Harry Holding agrees and adds that a formal, architectural reflective pool relies on stillness. "An exposed, windy position destroys it," says Harry.

"Wind also drives up evaporation and top-up demand, chills the water, and blows in leaves and debris, leaving you with a feature that never quite delivers the calm, mirror-like effect it was designed for."

4. A Sun Trap

A sun trap in your modern garden may seem like a good location for a cooling water feature. Yet, not when there's little respite from blazing rays in the height of summer, according to landscape designers, who advise that there needs to be some shade too.

"Natural ponds and water features placed in a suntrap can be beautiful, bringing a cooling, calming quality to a garden; however, they do need some shade to regulate their temperature," explains Harry.

"Without shade, temperature swings and warmer water encourage algae growth and poorer water quality. Always design your water feature with some shade."

5. Where It Can't Be Seen and Enjoyed

There are numerous places to avoid locating a water feature for practical reasons, but aesthetics obviously come into it too. Whilst selecting the best site to prevent algal bloom, leaf drop, and root disturbance, do ensure your water feature is in pride of place and not tucked away out of sight.

"A beautifully designed water feature should never be hidden away in an overlooked corner of the garden," says Sophie Bertrand, head of design at Rosebank Landscaping.

"It deserves a prominent position where it becomes an elegant focal point, drawing the eye and creating a lasting sense of calm every time you look outside."

Carefully consider the views from inside your home as well as from your favourite outdoor seating and entertaining spaces.

"A beautifully placed water feature transforms an outdoor space into a private sanctuary, adding elegance, movement and timeless appeal that you, your family and your guests will appreciate every single day.”

Water features can be as simple as a planter with a pump, or as elaborate as a wall fountain or rill. Whichever type you decide on, its position should enhance its impact in your outdoor space and your enjoyment of it.

"The sweet spot is generally an open, level area with partial sun (4–6 hours), away from trees, structures, and utilities," says Manoj. "Also position the feature so that it is visible from the house. That way you can enjoy it all year round."

Many of us approach gardens by asking what else we can add, when often the most beautiful outdoor spaces are the ones that know when to stop. Japanese-inspired gardens capture that feeling so well. They are calm, effortlessly edited and really connected to nature without ever feeling empty.

What I’ve always loved about Japanese garden ideas is how much they rely on restraint. The Japanese concept of ma, or the mindful use of empty space, is a reminder that not every corner needs to be filled. Sometimes the most calming spaces are the ones that allow room to breathe.

Experiencing the gardens of Japan firsthand is still firmly on my bucket list. Until then, I’m quite happy to borrow some of the same principles at home through natural materials, simple silhouettes, bird baths, low seating and lanterns that create a soft glow as the evening settles in.

If there’s a corner of your garden you want to turn into a quiet sanctuary, start there. These 24 Japanese-inspired furniture and décor pieces capture that sense of simplicity and connection to nature.

Japanese-inspired gardens are exactly the approach I'd recommend if you're hoping to create a calmer and more connected space. They remind us that you don't need to overfill a garden to make it feel beautiful. In fact, some of the most restorative outdoor living spaces are often the most mindfully edited.

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In the age of decorating our outdoor spaces with the same stylish gusto as our interiors, it's easy to get caught up in the fun of finding fabulous pieces and forget why the functional staples still matter. What am I talking about? Well, in my hunt for stylish garden lighting ideas, I realized I was completely overlooking the subtle genius that is the outdoor sconce light.

Often seen as a subtler, more functional piece, "Outdoor sconces are actually the perfect indirect light source for adding character to an outdoor space," says Tatjana Köbler, Westwing's creative director of interior design. "They instantly make an area feel more inviting by creating soft light and adding subtle accents to walls and architectural details." Outdoor sconce lights are a much-needed part of a layered outdoor lighting scheme.

So while floor lamps or design-y solar lights may turn more heads, outdoor sconce lights have a specific and irreplaceable purpose. Whether it's a classic, creative, vintage, or functional style, here's everything you need to incorporate an outdoor sconce light in your garden. Plus, a few shoppable favorites, of course!

When, Where, and How to Use Outdoor Scone Lights

I always imagine outdoor sconce lights framing a front door or illuminating a dark exterior wall, and while these are classic spots for the style, the nuance of a sconce light lies in how you pair it with material, color, and space.

For instance, don't go solely for function — a random, boring sconce mounted on the wall is the kind of outdoor lighting that will make your garden look cheap rather than elevated. There is room to be as creative and intentional with your sconces as you would with, say, an outdoor table lamp.

Tatjana Köbler recommends a statement sconce light with a sculptural shape or striking light effect, while keeping the surroundings simple. "Let the light itself work its magic!" she says. Not only will the fixture itself make a blank wall look more interesting, but the light it casts will bring a garden to life in the evening.

For this reason, "Outdoor sconce lights work especially well on textured surfaces such as stone, concrete, brick, or timber," Tatjana adds — exterior surfaces where the light has room to roam.

As for placement, Tatjana recommends hanging them at around 1.7 — 1.9 meters high, depending on the fixture. The key is making sure they never create glare. So, look out for windows and other materials that might cause this outdoor lighting mistake.

And, "Avoid placing them too close together, otherwise the effect gets lost," Tatjana adds. "On a smaller balcony, one statement light is enough; in larger spaces, place them roughly every 1.6 meters, ideally centred between windows or doors."

You need to decide whether you want larger, more decorative sconces or sconces that act as ambient light within a larger scheme. Decorative fixtures shine as the statement piece, while more minimalist lighting can easily be layered in.

Ultimately, a garden without a few good sconce lights is a garden that hasn't reached its full potential. And there is no shortage of stylish options across all the best garden lighting brands. Below are a few of my favorites, in an assortment of styles, shapes, and budgets.

Don't mind me, just adding outdoor sconce lighting to my list of favorite garden lighting trends. It's an addition that's as timeless as it is interesting.

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Spending time in your garden in summer sounds all well and good — until you realize you’re a melting mess on full display to your neighbors. And while upping the privacy measures might immediately make you think of intimidating 10-meter-high fences, designers say there is a way to make it more stylish.

Pergolas and gazebos are both solid garden screening ideas, but this year, it's all about awnings. "Awnings are really big at the moment; I'm putting in two in the next couple of months," landscape designer Joanna Archer shares. "It's a nice, flexible way of creating shade, particularly when attached to your house, extending over the dining space."

With this summer set to be a scorcher, a retractable awning lets you completely transform your exposed outdoor space into a private, shady sanctuary (sometimes at the touch of a button). "It also creates a sense of enclosure and privacy, so your neighbours can't see what you're up to," adds Joanna.

To make your patio look more expensive, Joanna recommends considering an awning with a 'cassette' — when the awning’s casing is attached to the wall. How neatly the fabric folds into this case determines how sleek and luxurious your outdoor space appears.

An open cassette is often cheaper, but the fabric remains partially visible when you retract it; whereas a full cassette offers a cleaner look, with the fabric fully tucked away. And if you’re after something truly luxe, opt for an electric awning that retreats at the command of a remote control.

"The difference lies in how much protection you want for your awning when it’s retracted and whether you prefer manual or motorized operation," explains Helen O’Connor, product manager at 247 Blinds. It also "comes down to budget, desired appearance, and preferred level of convenience," she adds.

Intent on making the most of this hot weather, here are six stylish awnings that'll ensure you stay cool but relaxed this summer.

Looking for something for the bottom of your garden, or that's just unattached from your home? A retractable sun sail can be particularly sculptural and serves a very similar purpose.

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Color has long played an important role in how we experience our homes, influencing how we feel, behave, and connect within our spaces. Yet our relationship with color doesn't stop at the back door. As we increasingly look to our gardens as extensions of our living spaces, color has an equally important role to play outdoors.

What makes gardens unique is that they allow us to experience living color. Alongside the more fixed colors found in painted walls, furniture, and planters, gardens introduce something else entirely: color that grows, changes, and evolves over time.

Inside the home, color is relatively fixed, but garden color is alive. It appears, disappears, and moves, fading only to return as plants grow, flower, mature, and change through the seasons. This is how it shapes your outdoor space, according to color psychology.

Gardens As Living Color Experiences

This is something I experience in my own garden every day. Colors shift not only from season to season, but throughout the day and with changing weather conditions. A border that catches the morning sun can feel completely different by late afternoon, while overcast skies can soften colors that appeared vibrant only hours earlier.

Garden designer Lee Burkhill, also known as Garden Ninja and seen on BBC1's Garden Rescue, is known for creating planting schemes that evolve throughout the seasons. When I asked him how color, planting, and seasonal change work together to shape the experience of a garden, he said, "Color in a garden is never static to me. It's about the changes in colors across seasons. I design with that rhythm in mind, layering bulbs, perennials, and shrubs so something is always transitioning: a drift of pale spring blossom giving way to hot riotous summer colors, then the burnished golds and muted greens of autumn."

What Lee's approach highlights is that the color experience within a garden unfolds over time. The yellows of daffodils, fresh greens of emerging foliage, and clouds of blue forget-me-nots in spring gradually give way to summer color, from soft pink roses and lavender to the richer pinks, purples, and oranges of salvias, echinacea, and dahlias. Then autumn arrives with its rich mix of burnished golds, russets, ochers, and olive greens, before winter introduces strong contrasts through bright red berries, colored stems, dark evergreen foliage, and the sculptural forms of seed heads and grasses.

While the experience of color outdoors is very different, some of the principles may feel familiar. The walls of a room often provide a more permanent color backdrop, while cushions, artwork, and accessories allow us to introduce seasonal updates and new color combinations. Gardens work in a similar way. Walls, fences, pathways, and evergreen planting create a more enduring framework of color, while seasonal planting provides the changing layer.

Designing Spaces to Live in With Color

A garden isn’t a singular experience either, much like a home isn't. Different areas can support different functions and behaviors depending on how we want to use them. One space may be designed for gathering friends around an outdoor dining table on a summer evening, while another offers somewhere to sit with a morning coffee, read a book, or spend a little time alone at the end of the day.

Hedges, planting, pathways, pergolas, and changes in level can all be used to create zones within a garden, helping define areas for different activities and ways of spending time.

Garden designer and RHS ambassador & judge Manoj Malde is known for his confident and joyful use of color. In his book Your Outdoor Room (available on Amazon), he explores the idea of gardens as a series of distinct spaces designed for living.

“Whether consciously or not, many of us already make these distinctions inside our homes. We create spaces for gathering, relaxing, working, or retreating. Gardens offer the same opportunity. Through color, planting, materials, and layout, different areas can be designed to support different activities, behaviors, and experiences, allowing the garden to function as a true extension of the home.”

Thinking of the garden as part of the home has also led to a growing desire to create a stronger visual connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

This doesn't necessarily mean matching everything perfectly, but rather creating a sense of continuity. Colors used inside the home can often be echoed outdoors through planting, painted walls, furniture, pots, or textiles, helping the transition between inside and outside feel more seamless and intentional.

Bringing more color outside doesn't always require redesigning an entire garden. Sometimes a small, focused change can shift how a space feels, whether that’s drawing attention to an overlooked corner, giving a seating area more presence, or helping a previously disconnected part of the garden feel more considered.

Even smaller outdoor spaces, such as balconies, courtyards, or narrow side returns, can be transformed through thoughtful use of color, planting, and layering. The size of the space is often less important than how effectively it supports the way you want to use it.

How Color Shapes the Experience of a Garden

Color in a garden doesn't only come from planting. It can come from painted walls and fences, furniture, pots, containers, and decorative features, too. The colors used throughout a garden influence not only what we see, but also the overall experience the space creates.

From a color psychology perspective, different colors can encourage very different feelings and behaviors outdoors.

Here's how different colors can shape the experience of a garden.

Yellow: Yellow can bring a welcome sense of optimism and cheerfulness to a garden, even on cold, gray days. A yellow chair catching the morning sun or a drift of yellow flowers beside a favorite seating area can feel like being greeted with a cheerful hello each time you step outside.

From soft butter, primrose, and straw yellows through to brighter sunflower, golden, and citrus yellows, yellow retains its sunny nature and can help make outdoor spaces feel more welcoming and uplifting.

Red and Orange: Red and orange are the colors that get the party started. Used together, they can help create a party zone within the garden, the sort of space where the music gets turned up, laughter fills the air, and people start to let their hair down.

From vibrant tangerine and marigold orange to fiery reds, these colors bring the riot of color Lee describes earlier in the article. Fun, playful, and full of energy, they can help create outdoor spaces where sitting still is the last thing on anyone's mind.

Blue and Purple: Blue and purple can create a more reflective experience within a garden. A seating area surrounded by lavender, salvia, nepeta, and agapanthus, or accented with soft blue and purple details, can feel like somewhere to relax with a book, a coffee, or simply a few moments to yourself.

From gentle sky blues and cornflower through to periwinkle, lavender, and lilac, these colors can help create spaces that feel more mentally calming and contemplative.

Green: From soft sage and moss greens through to deeper olive and forest greens, green can help create a sense of balance and reassurance. A garden filled with layers of green can feel restorative and comforting, offering a welcome respite from the pace and demands of everyday life.

Black and Charcoal: Black and charcoal work particularly well in more minimalist, pared-back gardens. A black fence or charcoal wall can complement a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic, drawing attention to a striking sculpture, specimen tree, or carefully chosen planting scheme, allowing a few key elements to take center stage.

Another way black and charcoal can be used is to create the illusion of depth. When applied to a fence or wall behind heavy, dense planting, the darker surface can appear to recede into the background, making the boundary itself less noticeable.

It's not simply about being surrounded by plants or flowers. Over time, gardens become part of the rhythm of everyday life. As the seasons change, we begin to notice what is emerging, flowering, fading, or returning, often without consciously realising it.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons gardens can feel so restorative. Not simply because we are outside, but because they reconnect us to the natural cycles of growth, change, and renewal that play out throughout the year.

Beyond the back door, colour takes on a life of its own, becoming part of how we experience the spaces around us. Just as we don't think of colour in our homes as simply decorative, the same can be true of our gardens. Colour plays a role in how we feel, behave, connect, and live, both inside and out.

And as the latest garden color trends show, color is taking a much more design-led approach in 2026.

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Why is it that I groan at the thought of standing over the kitchen stove every night, but the idea of doing it at the table seems so exciting? Swiss fondues are a long-standing tradition in my family — it's like a meal served with a show — but a pot of melted cheese doesn't sound so enticing come summertime.

A BBQ, though? That's a non-negotiable in the sunny season. When I first came across the OFYR Tabl'O Outdoor Table Grill (available at John Lewis), two thoughts rushed through my head: it's so sleek and compact, and, at £295, it's pretty affordable compared to other table-top grills (for reference, a Minimax Big Green Egg retails for £925).

But outdoor kitchen trends this year aren't just about specs, they're about style, too (obviously), and as my first introduction to OFYR as a brand, I can hand on heart say that I don't think I've ever seen more stylish outdoor cooking equipment. Whether you've got a wide-open space or an inner-city balcony, I feel like the Tabl'O won't just help cater the event, it'll become the event.

If you've got a smaller outdoor space, but still want to recreate the feeling of a dedicated outdoor kitchen, tabletop grills are a game-changer. Charcoal BBQs tend to be the most affordable option, but that doesn't have to mean sacrificing style altogether.

Below, I've found six alternatives to the OFYR Tabl'O, ranging in both cost and cuteness. From options that can pack away, to portable designs, and some of the prettiest BBQs on the market, I'm sure you'll find something that suits.

Looking for something a little more design-y? Japanese outdoor grills definitely shine in that department, though they tend to be on the more expensive side, so it's worth waiting for a sale (ahem, Amazon Prime Day) before buying.

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There's nothing quite like the pressure of pulling out an overly complicated instruction manual for the lighting you forgot to set up, mere moments before your guests are due to arrive. If you're anything like me, you'd probably give up and resign to moving the party indoors once it gets dark. But with this summer set to be a hot one, and most UK homes lacking air-con, who wants to leave the relief of a cool evening breeze for a stuffy kitchen?

The Newgarden Lima LED Rechargeable Light, which you can buy from Lights.co.uk solves that problem, saving you the headache of setting it up and the future of your evening soirée. The secret? It’s magnetic, meaning all you have to do is pull the doughnut-shaped halves apart and connect them back together around the stem of your parasol.

This affordable, easy-to-assemble, and sleek outdoor lighting idea is ideal for a Pinterest-worthy garden party. Plus, with no wires or fixtures, there's no reason you couldn't use it in other places, too: on the table, on steps, maybe even mounted to a wall using a strong magnet?

Thankfully, there’s the option to adjust the brightness and color. That’s right, no need to frighten your guests with that clinical bright white lighting the midges and moths are obsessed with (research shows that bugs are more attracted to cool white lights than warm lights). And as it’s remote-controlled, you can do all that from the comfort of your garden chair with a glass of wine in hand.

Still looking for a suitable alternative? Here are six other contenders I’m considering for my next evening garden party.

Don’t worry if you’re not one for parasols and hanging lights. You can get the same low-effort installation and warmth from low-level solar path lights, but with a very gentle, enchanting glow.

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Garden lighting can make such a big difference to how an outdoor space feels, but the idea of wiring, installation costs, and calling an electrician can quickly make it feel more complicated than it needs to be. If your pathway, patio, or flower beds feel too dark at night, solar path lights are one of the easiest solutions. They charge during the day, switch on after sunset, and can usually be placed straight into the ground without cables or professional help.

If you’re looking for a broader place to start, our guide on where to buy garden lighting is full of stylish outdoor options, but solar path lights are especially useful when you want something quick, practical, and low-effort. They help define walkways, add a soft glow around planting, and make the garden feel more considered after dark, without needing a full lighting plan. For more styles beyond pathways, you can also explore our edit of solar powered outdoor lighting, or try these Amazon solar fence lights if you want to bring that same glow to boundaries, walls, and darker corners.

These are the solar path lights I’d start with if you want to boost your garden lighting in the easiest way possible.

The best solar path lights don’t just make your garden more practical, they make it feel more atmospheric too. A few well-placed lights along a path, around a border, or beside an outdoor seating area can completely change how the space feels in the evening.

And if you’d like more help making your outdoor space feel stylish, layered, and beautifully put together, you can explore our design services at Design Lab by Livingetc. For more shopping edits, decorating ideas, and design inspiration, don’t forget to sign up to the Livingetc newsletter too.

In case you haven't heard yet, we're about to head into a heat wave. This isn't set to be just any normal heat wave either; with temperature predictions hitting just below 40 degrees, the UK is about to experience some seriously tropical conditions. And if there's one thing our country is not built to handle, it's the heat. Rain, snow, ice? All fine. But as soon as the temperature creeps over the 25-degree mark, all cards are off the table.

In times like these, there's only one place to be: sprawled outside, safe in the comfort of your garden. But even the shadiest of gardens won't be fully exempt from the powers of this current heat surge. Which is exactly why I've been looking at this Portable Misting System (which you can buy from Amazon) with immediacy. Designed to attach to your umbrella and gently spritz you with a cool, delicate mist of cold water, this is the one thing that will provide me with comfort throughout the upcoming days and is an easy way to make an urban garden feel cooler — or any garden for that matter.

In my books, anything that can provide some kind of temporary relief from these soaring temperatures is a win, and nothing feels quite as refreshing as that breezy dusting of icy water misting across your face. In fact, beyond making it bearable, something like this can go so far as to make a heat wave feel downright enjoyable, so long as you remain within misting distance at all times. And for under £40, I think this should be a no-brainer buy for all this summer.

Alternative Misters for Hot Weather Relief

Keeping cool during the daytime is one thing, but everyone knows the real issues start once it's time to get into bed. This year, I'll be swapping my winter bedding out for one of these linen bedding alternatives that experts prefer, especially for hot weather.

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If there's one thing you don't want when dining outdoors in the summertime, it's to be joined by a throng of pesky bugs. After perfecting your tablescape and menu, the unwanted visitors can detract from all your hard work, making your al fresco experience frustrating and unpleasant.

But fear not. I've found a simple, cost-effective solution that's not only natural but also incredibly attractive — basil. "Basil not only smells wonderful with a pleasant aroma but also acts as a natural pest repellent because it naturally contains compounds that hinder a bug’s ability to detect its target," explains plant expert Sandi Liang of Dandi Plants. "Specifically, lime basil and holy basil strongly repel mosquitoes, a common nuisance in gardens and to humans."

The humble supermarket herb is one of the best pest control plants to include on your outdoor dining table, not only to repel bugs but to add a pop of color and a handy garnish for drinks and food, too. And if it's not available at your local supermarket, you can find items like this Set of Three Live Basil Herb Plants on Amazon, which will be delivered right to you — here's why the experts think this culinary herb works so well.

Basil Insect Repellent — How Does It Work?

"The basil plant is tasty in many culinary dishes but also serves as an effective natural repellent against mosquitoes," says Sandi Liang of Dandi Plants. "This plant contains essential oils that are known to deter these pests, making it a valuable addition to gardens and outdoor spaces.

"Understanding the mechanisms and methods of using basil for mosquito control can enhance your gardening experience while promoting a more pleasant outdoor environment. Certain compounds found in basil, such as eugenol, linalool, and camphor, possess insect-repelling properties," Sandi explains.

And it's these essential oils that give basil its distinct aroma, and the compounds of which "disrupt the scent receptors of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and even aphids, making it harder for them to locate food or breeding sites," says gardening expert Tony O'Neill.

"Its strong scent forms an aromatic shield, especially when the leaves are brushed or lightly disturbed, which increases the release of its essential oils," he explains. So giving your tabletop basil plants a little zhush now and again as you're dining outdoors will help to repel those pesky bugs for longer.

How to Use Basil in Your Outdoor Space to Repel Bugs

Basil responds well to being grown in containers, which is particularly helpful with its pest-repelling properties, as you can easily move your pots of basil around your modern garden to wherever you need it most.

"Basil is one of my favorite additions to an outdoor table," says Nikki Greengrass, founder of Rosie Dalia. "It's beautifully fragrant, looks wonderfully natural in a simple pot or jar, and as a bonus, works hard to keep bugs at bay. I like to add it as a centerpiece in pots down the table, or even tucked into napkins for a fresh, vibrant touch. A small detail that makes al fresco dining feel that bit more special!"

Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, agrees, saying that "A potted basil plant is one of the easiest ways to make a dining table feel fresher and more inviting. It brings a lovely green look and a light, fresh scent that makes meals feel more relaxed and welcoming, with that easy Mediterranean touch for summer outdoor dining."

What makes basil even more appealing is that there is a wellbeing side to the plant, too. "Its scent is calming and is used in aromatherapy to help you relax and reduce stress, so it makes your home feel a bit more settled," Julian explains.

Better yet, it's a beginner-friendly plant, so you won't need to worry about lots of maintenance if you add a collection of basil plants to your outdoor area. "All it needs is a sunny spot, regular watering, and a bit of pinching back to keep it forgiving and rewarding," assures Julian.

Below are five top tips Tony has shared for making the most of basil plants in your outdoor space, so your garden parties can proceed without distraction and nuisance this summer.

1. Use multiple small pots — "Instead of just one basil plant, scatter a few smaller pots around the table or seating area to create a perimeter of scent."

2. Give it sunlight — "Basil thrives in full sun, which also enhances its aroma-producing oils. A sunny table spot doubles its pest-repelling power."

3. Water correctly — "Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A stressed basil plant is less aromatic and less effective."

4. Pinch leaves often — "Regularly pinching or harvesting leaves not only promotes bushy growth but also releases more of the scent that keeps bugs away."

5. Combine with other herbs — "Pair basil with rosemary, mint, or lemon balm for a multi-herb barrier. Each adds its own repelling properties to the mix."

This Pepin Terracotta Olla on Amazon is a great way to manage your basil plant's watering needs, and this 12 x Plug Plant Pack of Mixed Herbs, also on Amazon, includes basil, mint, parsley, and tarragon to create your "multi-herb barrier".

I also have my eye on these Spear & Jackson Japanese Niwaki Pruning Scissors on Amazon for delicately harvesting basil leaves.

Planters to Pair With Your Basil

There's nothing quite like a natural pest remedy that's super cost-effective, attractive, and multi-purpose, too. If you also want to grow your own basil to heady heights indoors, then this interior designer's simple tips turn supermarket basil into bushy delights.

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If you're thinking of hosting an outdoor pizza party, there are some key considerations to factor in ahead of time to ensure a smooth and successful soirée — in style, of course, too. From the core practical elements to the small details that help create ambience, you can transform your outdoor space into a pizza hosting oasis with some thoughtful pre-planning.

“The rise of pizza ovens reflects a wider shift in how we use our outdoor spaces," says Sophie Bertrand, head of design at Rosebank Landscaping. "Gardens are increasingly being designed as extensions of the home, with outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas becoming central features. Pizza ovens have evolved from purely functional appliances into lifestyle-led design statements, creating a natural gathering point where cooking becomes part of the entertainment."

Making homemade pizzas is a weekly occurrence for my family and me, and has been for the past four years; however, we don't often host outdoors — for many reasons, namely the UK weather (the current heatwave is certainly not the norm) and the fact that we currently need some new furniture to make outdoor hosting possible. So I reached out to experts for some advice, and combined with my years of experience in preparing and cooking pizzas at home, consider this your ultimate guide to hosting the perfect outdoor pizza party.

1. Preparation

When it comes to hosting of any kind, preparation is key — but it is absolutely essential when making pizzas, particularly if you are cooking for a big crowd.

As acclaimed chef Matthew Ryle explains, "The great lie of the pizza-at-home party is that it sounds social but actually isn’t. You’re trapped at the oven, sweating, while everyone else is having a drink and enjoying the pizzas as they come." But no more, since he adopted the preparation method used by Spring Street pizzeria after doing a pop-up with the London restaurant's Michelin-starred chef Tom Kemble.

"The new Spring Street setup has a rack that holds five pizzas at once. You can cook them ahead and flash them to order. Suddenly you’re not a pizza hostage; you’re at the party, and arguably now the pizza is better too," Matthew explains.

"I’ve adopted their method for getting ahead and use a rack too — something like this Pizza Pan Rack on Amazon. So when everyone arrives for pizza, there isn't a long queue, and everyone can eat together. Even just me, my wife, and son, it helps everything come up at the same time."

Ideally, you would have a proper prep station, too. As Nate Fox, lead designer at Foxterra Design, explains, "Pizza making is hands-on and spread-out, so give yourself — and your guests — enough room to work. A little organization goes a long way when you're feeding a crowd. The outdoor kitchens we design always prioritize real counter space and proper storage alongside the oven, because when the prep area is dialed in, the whole hosting experience flows."

If you don't have a dedicated outdoor kitchen, even something like this eucalyptus wood Outdoor Kitchen Trolley on Wayfair is ideal for adding extra counter space and storage.

Also, if you're cooking for a very large number of people and the amount of dough-making is alarming you, you can always opt for frozen dough balls to save time. I highly rate The Northern Dough Co's Neapolitan Pizza Dough Balls on Amazon — these come in a pack of 15 and will make your pizza night simple and easy.

2. Tools

With preparation plans underway, having the right pizza oven accessories will ensure the actual cooking process runs smoothly, too.

I've tried a whole host of pizza oven tools over the years, and while there are many you can do without, there are a few that you can't. These are the key pieces to add to your collection, if you don't already have them:

• A placement peel — For easily and efficiently launching and retrieving your pizzas out of the pizza oven. My personal favorite is Ooni's Signature Placement Peel, but you can get wooden options that double as serving boards if you prefer. This Chef Pomodoro Bamboo Pizza Peel on Amazon is lightweight and has a tapered edge to make launching easier.
• A turning peel — A must for turning the pizzas in the oven. You can opt for something like Chef Pomodoro's Pizza Turning Peel with Detachable Handle on Amazon, or Ooni's Pizza Turning Peel.
• An infrared thermometer — If your pizza oven doesn't have a built-in temperature gauge, you definitely need one of these to ensure your pizza stone reaches the desired temperature for the perfect bake. I like both Gozney and Ooni's infrared thermometers, but you can also get something like ERICKHILL's Compact Infrared Thermometer on Amazon.
• Mini scales — For smaller batches of pizza, you may only require a very small amount of yeast, which might be too small to be picked up by a standard set of scales, which often don't reliably measure until 5+ grams. Salter's Digital Precision Scale on Amazon is ideal, but if you're an Ooni fan and like everything to match, Ooni has a set of Dual Platform Digital Scales you can add to your collection.
• A pizza cutter — When you're trying to cook and serve multiple pizzas in quick succession, quick, clean cuts are what you need; my favorite is Ooni's Stainless Steel Rocker Blade, currently available at John Lewis. If you prefer a regular pizza cutter style, I like Gozney's version on Amazon, or you can get other premium designs, such as BOSKA's Pizza Cutter on Amazon, or the incredibly chic ALESSI Taio Pizza Cutter on Selfridges.
• Semolina — Do not miss this step! You need to ensure your pizza bases are lightly dusted in semolina flour so that they don't stick to the peel when launching them into the pizza oven — it also helps give them that desired crispiness. Il Molino's Premium Italian Semolina Flour on Amazon will do the job.

You can probably get away without the mini scales if you only make larger quantities of pizzas or you already have a fancy set of scales that measures mini amounts, too — but as for the rest, I really do recommend them for a smooth cooking process.

3. Flow

This outdoor area, designed by Foxterra Design, is what dreams are made of, but the principles of making your garden flow for the perfect pizza soirée remain the same for any style or size of outdoor space — notably careful zoning and being intentional with your pizza oven placement and outdoor seating.

"The best pizza nights are the ones where guests are part of the process — it becomes the entertainment, not just the meal," explains Nate, the designer of the space above. "That energy is also why placement matters: when the oven lives within the main entertaining zone rather than off to the side, the cook stays in the conversation, and the oven becomes a natural gathering point for the whole group."

Nate's advice is to cook in rounds, have a spot nearby where guests can settle "in between pies", and to keep the drinks flowing. "When the lounge, the fire, and the kitchen are all within the same connected zone, people move naturally between them — and that's when a dinner party turns into a night nobody wants to end," says Nate.

4. Tablescape

"A great outdoor pizza soirée is less about perfection and more about creating a relaxed, generous atmosphere," says Nikki Greengrass, founder of Rosie Dalia. "Layer the table with beautiful linens as your foundation, then bring in natural textures like rattan to add warmth and that easy, al fresco energy."

Also, ensure you have enough space on the table if you're planning to serve your pizzas on boards, and leave room for snack bowls and extra toppings for your guests to have free rein with their pizzas.

"For the toppings, set everything out in small bowls and dishes so guests can build their own. It makes the table feel interactive and gets everyone stuck in together."

Nikki also suggests incorporating scent into your tablescape. "Scent is a brilliant way to elevate the evening, too. Fresh herbs scattered near the toppings or tucked into napkins bring the whole table to life."

Top tip: basil is a natural pest repellent, so pop a few basil plants in stylish pots on your table to keep pesky bugs at bay — this will also add color to your table and be a handy extra garnish for your pizzas! You can buy a Pack of 6 Medium Plug Basil Plants on Amazon.

5. Lighting

Not just for practical purposes, garden lighting is key to creating ambience and, when thoughtfully curated, a lived-in, relaxed feel in your outdoor space that will make guests feel right at home.

"As the sun goes down, soft candlelight is what carries the atmosphere from cooking to lingering at the table long after the pizzas are gone," says Nikki.

The right portable table lamps can work just as well to create that elegant glow, too — and with a layered outdoor lighting scheme, your soirée can continue long into the night.

6. Shade or Shelter

It's important to remember that the weather isn't always going to play ball — best-laid plans and all that. So when planning a pizza party outdoors, you will need to ensure you have a covered area for your pizza oven and for your seating.

And not only that, even when the weather is glorious, you will need to consider garden screening for shade from the sun — if you're anything like me, I absolutely hate eating a meal in full sunshine, and your guests might feel the same.

Whether you opt for a more permanent structure or something that can be popped up on the day, ensure you have a plan — even if that's reverting to eating indoors, though that would be sad.

Don’t Already Have a Pizza Oven?

If you've got this far and don't actually have a pizza oven, I strongly suggest that you change that. I don't order pizzas anymore when I go out to restaurants now that I have a pizza oven at home — I prefer my own. And it's a wonderful, interactive meal to enjoy with your family and friends.

"Improvements in design and accessibility also mean pizza ovens can now be successfully incorporated into gardens of almost any size,” says Sophie.

So if you're wondering, 'Is a pizza oven worth it?' I can confidently say that they are — if you really love pizza, that is. But you're on this page, so I'm guessing you do!

Now that you know everything you need to host the ultimate outdoor pizza party, all that's left is for you to relax and enjoy it. Plus, if you have an Ooni pizza oven from the Koda 2 range, you could opt for the rotating stone to make outdoor hosting even easier.

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Those of us who live in places with unpredictable summers recognize the importance of a garden structure, particularly if we want to enjoy our outside spaces for longer.

Whether you want to beat a retreat from the blazing sun or shelter from a brief rain shower, a garden structure allows you to continue reclining or dining outside without decamping indoors altogether. But what type to choose?

Pergolas are more regularly seen in gardens, but gazebos are popular too. In truth, the terms are often used interchangeably, yet there are slight differences, which may determine whether one suits you better than the other.

In general, a gazebo is your better option if you have a larger garden and want to make a destination that feels like an outdoor room. For more versatility, a less visually imposing structure, and a more budget-friendly choice, a pergola is your pick.

Here, landscape designers offer their view on when to choose which structure for your garden and how to decide what's best.

What to Consider

Of the numerous garden screening ideas, pergolas and gazebos are popular choices, offering both privacy and shade. Both structures are open on all sides; however, pergolas generally have a flat, slatted roof, while gazebos have a solid, pitched roof. So their purposes differ.

However, mechanized pergola models with retractable roofs can provide the best of each option, allowing both filtered light and shelter when required. And of course, there are temporary canvas gazebos too.

If you're handy with a hammer, this self-assembly Outsunny pergola from B&Q has a sleek aluminium frame and, at just under 9 square meters would comfortably cover a seating or dining area. It has an adjustable louvred roof, so you can alter the amount of shade required.

"From a garden designer's perspective, the choice between a gazebo and a pergola usually comes down to what the client wants the structure to do, rather than which structure they happen to prefer aesthetically," says Nick Woodhouse, creative director of gardens at Woodhouse & Law.

"I would typically ask how they envisage using the space, how much protection from sun and rain they want, whether the structure is intended as a destination within the garden or simply as a way of defining an area, as well as how it relates to the style of both the house and the wider landscape."

When to Choose a Gazebo - the Pros and Cons

As with any design decision, knowing what you want the structure to do in your garden is key. Once that's established, you can determine its location and then consider the size and style.

"A gazebo is a freestanding structure with a solid, fully enclosed roof, so it gives real protection from rain and strong sun," says garden designer Manoj Malde. "It tends to read as a destination in the garden, a separate little room you walk to."

"If you want shelter from rain so that you can use the space in changeable weather, or you want privacy and shade for something like a hot tub or outdoor dining set that needs protecting, a gazebo is the better fit."

Nick agrees, saying a gazebo is generally the most appropriate when the aim is to create an outdoor room. "Because it has a solid roof and a stronger sense of enclosure, it offers meaningful protection from rain and sun and can extend the amount of time a space is usable throughout the year," says Nick.

"Gazebos work particularly well as destinations within larger gardens, as settings for outdoor dining and entertaining, or wherever a client wants to spend time outdoors, regardless of the weather.

"Their disadvantages are that they are typically more expensive, more visually dominant, and can feel rather heavy-handed in smaller gardens if not carefully integrated into the design."

For this reason, it's essential to ensure that your garden can comfortably accommodate a gazebo, with a suitable spot for the structure. Manoj explains that a gazebo works best where it can stand on its own, away from the house.

"Often at the end of a path or in a corner of the garden is a good spot," says Manoj. "This is partly because that's what makes it feel like a destination.

"Also for practical reasons: a gazebo needs a flat, well-drained base (such as a deck or paved pad), clearance from overhanging trees so debris doesn't collect on the roof, and enough distance from boundary fences both for airflow and because many local planning rules set minimum distances from boundaries for structures over a certain height.

"It also benefits from at least partial shelter from prevailing wind, since the solid roof can act like a sail in storms, if it's not anchored well."

This wooden gazebo from Wayfair has a cedar frame and powder-coated steel roof, so it can stand up to the weather throughout the year. Alternatively, this gazebo from B&Q has a metal frame and a metal roof. Both are self-assembly and come with outdoor curtains for additional privacy.

When to Choose a Pergola

Pergolas (aside from the newer models with retractable roofs) generally provide patio shade rather than shelter. With their flat, slatted roofs, supported on posts, these simple structures are visually more refined and less cumbersome than gazebos. This means they are suitable for patios and terraces, as well as other parts of the garden.

"A pergola is usually positioned attached to the house, over a patio, deck, or seating area right outside a back door, because its job is to extend the usable living space outward and create a shaded transition rather than a separate room," says Manoj.

"It filters light rather than blocking it, and works more as a transition zone, like a covered walkway or a softening of the boundary between house and garden, than as a destination in its own right. Climbing plants like wisteria or grapevines are frequently trained over them, which integrates them beautifully into the garden."

This Dunster House wooden pergola from Wayfair is made from slow-grown spruce and would make a great frame for climbing vines over a deck.

Pergolas can be freestanding too, often running along a path or to frame an entrance. However, wherever you choose to place it, orientation matters, particularly on traditional models without adjustable roofs.

"If shade is the priority, the slats or rafters should run roughly east-west across the strongest midday sun for a given path of the sun," explains Manoj. "A pergola meant to let in low morning or evening light, but block the harsh midday sun might be oriented north-south, depending on your hemisphere and the specific angle of the sun where you live."

When it comes to choice, as a general guideline, Nick states that a pergola is usually the better option when the objective is to organize and enrich an outdoor space without enclosing it.

"Pergolas excel at defining terraces and seating areas," says Nick. "As well as creating transitions between different parts of a garden, framing views, and supporting climbers such as roses, wisteria, or jasmine.

"Pergolas tend to feel lighter and more connected to the surrounding landscape than gazebos — and are often cheaper to build. Their main limitation is that they provide little protection from rain and only limited shade unless heavily planted or fitted with additional screening."

Knowing exactly how you want use your garden and the structure within it will guide you to the best choice for your outdoor space and your lifestyle.

"Gazebos and pergolas solve different problems," says Manoj. "The right choice usually comes down to what you want the structure to do, rather than which one looks nicer in isolation."

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Cooking outdoors isn't just an enjoyable experience during the summer; on days when it's swelteringly hot in your home, it's a deal-breaker. You don't want to have to heat an oven or turn on a gas hob when the kitchen is already boiling.

However, if you're only working with a small garden, patio, or courtyard, incorporating an outdoor grill can be difficult, especially when you value style. Those good-looking Sub Zero & Wolf gas grills and Big Green Eggs are space-eaters.

That has been my problem with my own tiny courtyard, but where I've been stuck with a less-than-aesthetic BBQ. However, I've had my eye on one of Kasai's Japanese Konro grills for a little while. I first spotted them on a UK cooking show called Great British Menu, where top chefs often use them to grill food indoors.

But I haven't only been lusting over them because they're chef-approved; this outdoor kitchen trend is also kind of beautiful. Made from British-made stainless steel and a natural, flameproof mineral, they're at once elevated, but a little lo-fi.

I tested out Kasai's Little Konro grill from Amazon (which you can also buy from John Lewis), the second smallest of the six grills the brand has, to see how it compares to cooking on a standard grill. If you're in the States, you won't be able to buy this British-made design, but something like the Bincho Grill, also on Amazon, offers a similar premise.

What Is a Konro Grill?

A Konro grill is a simple BBQ at first glance, but it's designed in a way to make heat consistent and optimize the flavor from cooking on charcoal. The natural mineral blocks (that look a little like cork) are made from diatomaceous earth, and trap heat, radiating it up to food.

The shape is designed for small cuts and skewers, and the shallow depth puts the food close to the heat source, giving you better control over the cooking and more intense charcoal flavor — one of the reasons chefs like to use them.

How Do You Use a Konro Grill?

A Konro grill is used much like other BBQs, but there's more focus on how you arrange the charcoal. It's height in the grill will affect how much heat is applied to the meat and how quickly it will cook.

You start with your firelighters, then layer on some kindling, before adding your charcoal. Konro grills are classically used with a Japanese charcoal called binchotan. It has a higher temperature than normal charcoal and is known for its clean burn, so it doesn't give the food any acrid taste. You can use binchotan in other BBQs too, but it's a little more expensive (around £40 for a box from Amazon, for example)

Is it easy to use? I'm not the most accomplished BBQer, but it's a relatively simple thing to set up. However, what I did learn is that the food cooks quickly when the heat really gets going. Surprisingly so. It is also all about a confident charcoal setup and making sure it's evenly distributed so you get even cooking across the entire span of the grill top.

One thing you'll have to consider is how and where you're going to locate your grill for cooking. I have a small outdoor coffee table that makes this grill perfect for sitting around and cooking as a group activity. Or else, it's an ideal choice if you have something like an outdoor kitchen without a grill built in.

Affordable Alternatives

They might not have the same material qualities as Kasai's Konro grill, but these budget options offer a similar style approach.

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There is a reason why purple is having a moment, and it's one to consider when looking for color inspiration to reimagine your outdoor space. The huge range of shades on offer makes purple such a key component of the color palette that it begs to be included in any outdoor color-drenching design.

Purple adds a tantalising element to gardens, with its rich, dark, and dramatic notes. Ranging from pale lavender to darkest plum, purple feels effortlessly luxurious. Darker shades create an elegant atmosphere ideal for relaxing in the garden, while softer shades have a soothing feel that calms the mind. So it's not hard to see why it's become one of this year's biggest garden color trends.

"For color drenching outdoors, purple is a particularly effective choice because it brings a sense of richness and character while still feeling connected to nature," says Danielle Le Vaillant of Cox & Cox. "Planting can introduce the color throughout the garden; then, for a cohesive look, it can be carried across seating, accessories, and styling details to make the space feel intentionally designed."

Find out why some of our favorite landscape designers love purple so much and how they use it in the spaces they design — so that you can, too.

1. Try the Purple Color-Layering Technique for a 'Designed' Look

Purple planting has moved well beyond traditional lavender borders for a modern new take on the color. "Today's schemes are less about color alone and more about creating depth, mood, and movement," says garden designer Karen McClure. "The best-performing plants contribute more than just color."

In Karen's designs, purple favorites earn their place. Nepeta offers months of flowers and soft, aromatic foliage, while Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' (available from YouGarden on Amazon in a pack of three — we love its intense purple flowers) delivers midsummer impact, and Verbena bonariensis adds height and transparency, weaving effortlessly through neighboring plants. Ornamental grasses are equally important, introducing texture and movement amongst the purple planting, while also helping to soften planting combinations and connect different layers within a border.

"The key is to avoid single-register planting, one color, one texture, or one fleeting moment of interest," says Karen. "Instead, layer purple flowers with contrasting foliage, from the silver-gray leaves of Stachys byzantina to the acid-lime tones of Alchemilla mollis. Choose bronze fennel to add further texture and movement, extending the season and enriching the overall composition."

It's this thoughtful layering of color, form, and texture that elevates a naturalistic planting scheme from a simple color exercise to a planting design with lasting interest.

2. Use Texture and Tone for a Very Modern Take on Purple

“If there is one color poised to become the favorite in the garden equivalent of interior design's color drenching trend, then purple feels like the natural frontrunner," says Nick Woodhouse, creative director at Woodhouse & Law. "Rather than relying on a single shade, purple in the garden has the ability to immerse the eye in a spectrum of violet tones, from the soft haze of lavender and lilac to the richer blue-purple of irises and deeper plum accents. Using these garden color ideas creates an effect that is both calming and distinctly contemporary."

The key to making a purple scheme feel sophisticated rather than one-note is to layer texture and tone. "In many of our projects, airy purple lavender contrasts with the sculptural form of dark purple irises, while lush green foliage provides a vital balance that prevents the palette from becoming overwhelming."

Repeating the color beyond the planting, through cushions, throws, and decorative details, strengthens the immersive effect, much as an interior designer would carry a paint color across walls, woodwork, and furnishings. The result is not a garden filled with purple flowers, but a garden defined by a purple mood.

3. Mix Light and Dark Tones of Purple to Add Depth

"Calming purple has long been used as part of traditional English garden borders, but they are also well-suited to Mediterranean planting schemes, a style that is becoming increasingly popular as we experience hotter, drier summers," says landscape designer Rosie Wilkins.

There are a huge number of purple-flowering plants available that tap into current garden trends, with an option to suit almost every outdoor space from full sun to shade. Rosie explains why purple is so popular and how to include it in your planting scheme. "Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is probably one of the most well-used purple flowers, but other readily available options include iris, geranium, and verbena. Many of these plants, including lavender, have a timeless appeal that transcends other more fleeting trends that come and go."

Salvia Caradonna is available on Amazon and will bloom through till autumn.

Purple is also one of the most versatile garden color ideas that can be used alone or to complement and contrast with other shades. "For a calm but uplifting scheme, I like to pair deep purples with fresh whites and greens," says Rosie. "For more striking displays, try combining a range of light and dark purple tones with accents of red and peachy pinks. It doesn't have to be just about the flowers either, as incorporating plants with purple-bronze foliage can also add interest and depth to a scheme."

4. Celebrate the Unique Qualities of Purple

"In our view, there are lots of reasons to choose purple," says landscape designer Penelope Walker. "The darker tone is quite a unique one in the garden. The purple-maroon tones sit so well with softer dusky pinks and lavenders. The interest in these cool yet slightly feminine colors has been firm for a while, so it was probably a natural evolution that we’d progress into deeper variants. Plus, deep purple goes with so much."

The last decade or so has seen a strong focus on monochrome planting, with white gardens in particular being a feature, but the trend towards incorporating color specifically is definitely now in full swing, according to Penelope. "Introducing depth into a color scheme is a long-term staple choice."

She recommends some of her other favorite plants with an emphasis on the purple foliage these varieties offer. "For structure, try Pittosporum ’Tom Thumb’, which is a great alternative to box. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ is good for a wetter spot in dappled shade. For height, try Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ and Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’, with its delicate heart-shaped leaves, is one of the best trees for small gardens."

Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ is available from Crocus and has dark red-purple oval leaves that turn scarlet in autumn.

5. Lean Into a Harmonious, Complementary Palette That Enhances the Purple

"In contemporary gardens, purple is the color that consistently does the heaviest lifting in my opinion," says landscape designer Mia Witham. "It's incredibly versatile depending on how you direct it. On the one hand, you can lean into a harmonious, complementary palette by pairing purples with silver, gray and soft pastels. On the other hand, you can look to the opposite side of the color wheel and strike a vivid contrast with hot reds, oranges, and yellows."

When you introduce those hotter colors, purple serves a brilliant purpose. It lends an immediate sophistication to the palette, acting as a visual ‘pause’ between the intense, vibrant plant masses.

"To avoid a garden feeling flat or one-tone, the secret is managing these transitions," says Mia. "Some of the top-performing purple plants that are widely available are Salvia nemorosa (like ‘Caradonna’), Nepeta, and classic lavender. By anchoring them with the frothy, lime green foliage of Alchemilla mollis, you create a dynamic, layered space that feels both energetic and grounded."

"An outdoor space can, of course, never be completely color drenched as the sky and surrounding landscape will always provide contrast," says Danielle Le Vaillant of Cox & Cox. "The key is to embrace purple as the dominant thread running through the design, while balancing it with natural materials such as wood, rattan, and stone. This combination adds warmth and texture, ensuring the overall effect feels immersive and sophisticated."

For more ideas for your outdoor space, our edit of the best color schemes for small outdoor spaces delves deeper into the hues designers use when decorating space-restricted outdoor areas.

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There's a lot that goes into curating a truly beautiful outdoor space. From finding colorful blooms to choosing outdoor seating, there are so many details to iron out that it's easy to gloss over the practicalities —which is why so many of us find ourselves without proper storage in our gardens. And I can tell you one thing no gorgeous garden has: stacks of clutter.

But finding the right garden storage is no easy feat. Let's face it — more often than not, storage sheds tend to be... unappealing. Plastic and bulky, they don't exactly scream 'summer retreat'. But, equally, neither do the piles of gardening tools and equipment that end up on your patio without anywhere to store them.

What you need is a storage solution that combines both utility and style, and I've just found exactly that. Keter's Signature Decocoat Garden Storage is roomy, durable, and stylish in an understated, minimalistic way. It has all the space you need to hide unwanted clutter, while looking completely natural alongside your stylish garden furniture.

Want more where that came from? Coming right up!

These petite designs are absolutely perfect for smaller gardens, but if you need something slightly larger, you may want to consider investing in a full-size garden shed instead.

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Gone are the days of disposable supermarket grills and rusty, old barbecues; in 2026, your outdoor cooking setup is expected to be on par with what you'd find inside your home. And in some cases, even better.

At some point over the past few years, state-of-the-art, custom-designed outdoor kitchen ideas took the top spot as the ultimate garden flex. Sure, a pool may help you cool off on a hot day, but can it provide you with a chargrilled feast come dinner time? I don't think so. But, as you may expect, these designs don't come cheap. In fact, they can end up costing more than what you'd spend on your primary cooking space. Not to mention, it often takes several months to plan and build custom outdoor kitchens.

Unwilling to shell out a small fortune or make do with a subpar setup, I set out to find a solution. I wanted an elevated outdoor kitchen that was still practical and at a much more accessible price point. It also needed to be able to withstand British weather and look good while doing so. After days of searching, I landed on the Maze Wood Antigua Outdoor Kitchen from Next. It's small enough to fit in most gardens (you just need an empty wall), has plenty of storage, is durable and practical, and, of course, above all, completely gorgeous. Plus, for £1500, it's a small fraction of the cost of a custom outdoor kitchen, which can easily reach £20,000.

At 180cm wide, this outdoor kitchen and BBQ setup is as suitable for a small garden as it is for a sprawling backyard, and it's sure to be the focal point of your entertaining area no matter the size.

If you do have extra space, though, there are other configurations available, and I've also found a few other off-the-shelf outdoor kitchen options to shop, too.

With these designs, you don't have to waste months planning and installing your dream outdoor kitchen; all the hard work has already been done for you. All you have to do is pick the best grill, and luckily for you, we have plenty of tips to help you with that.

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Ornamental potted citrus trees bring an elegant touch to your outdoor space, with their glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant white blossom, and vibrant sun-warmed fruit. The combination of their slender branching habit and leafy canopy adds a shapely accent too. So it's no surprise designers are saying they're the ultimate status symbol if you're looking for ideas to enhance your garden.

There is something magical about growing your own lemons or oranges, especially if you're a small-space urban gardener, as they don't take up much room. Ideal for pots and planters, citrus trees thrive in a sunny, sheltered spot and do well in large planters on a small patio, terrace or balcony. They can easily be moved indoors during colder months, too. Compact and easy to care for, give them the right conditions, and they will thrive for years, taking center stage in any Mediterranean garden ideas you may have in mind.

Large terracotta planters and stone urns are the obvious choice to show off shapely citrus trees while continuing the Mediterranean theme, especially if placed by a trickling water feature to create a living centerpiece. Versatile citrus plants fit seamlessly into most modern garden themes, so we dug a little deeper into why designers are tipping them to be the next big thing.

Why Designers Choose Potted Citrus to Introduce a Mediterranean Aesthetic

For an instant design hit, try planting a citrus tree in a container, then stand back to admire how quickly it transforms the place.

"Introducing a member of the citrus family to the garden is a perfect way of bringing an instant Mediterranean feel to a space," says garden designer Nick Woodhouse. "The evergreen foliage, highly scented white blooms, and bright fruit bring back memories of family holidays in sunny places. The plants are, of course, more suited to the warmer temperatures of those very shores, so will need to be moved indoors over the winter months, perhaps into a glasshouse or conservatory."

Planting citrus fruit trees in containers not only adds height and interest to a space but also gives it some much-needed mobility and flexibility over the seasons. "Restricting their roots within a planter also prevents the plants from putting on excessive branch growth, putting their energy instead into the production of the prized fruit itself," says Nick.

Adding potted citrus introduces a sculptural element to your garden design too. "As a container gardener, there are few things I adore more than citrus trees placed by a pool or on a patio," says Juliet Howe, founder of Twigs Design. "The clean, modern shape and large, shiny leaves add an opulent, sculptural moment. A worthy addition in and of itself, but this is not the true reason for my passion, though. It’s the intoxicating scent that the citrus blossoms so generously share that has won my heart."

You might also be interested in finding out how to grow indoor fruit trees.

The Potted Citrus Tree Varieties the Experts Love

The most common potted citrus varieties found in garden centers are lemons, and they are also the ones most closely associated with the Mediterranean. Within the lemon family, there is a clear favorite, which makes your job of choosing much easier.

"Lemon trees are perhaps the more reliable and productive of the citrus in the UK, given our climate," says Nick. "Citrus x limon 'Meyer' is one of the more hardy hybrids on the market, with sweet, juicy fruits and a compact, shrubby habit that makes it perfect for growing in a pot."

'Meyer' is popular in the US too. "The 'Meyer' lemon is a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange," says Juliet. "It's a wonderful choice for growing citrus in a pot and one of the best for beginners. It flowers in spring, then multiple times in summer, so you can continue to enjoy the scent. The fruit is plentiful and delicious too."

A compact variety like 'Meyer', which makes it onto our own list of easy fruit trees to grow, will always have an advantage when it comes to thriving in a pot, as it tolerates the root restriction well.

Other Potted Citrus Varieties to Consider

"Bearss lime produces wonderful blossom and fruits reliably, while 'Key Lime' has a heavenly scent and blooms all summer," says Juliet, when asked to recommend other potted citrus ideas. "Kumquats stay small, have pretty flowers and small orange fruit that decorate the tree all summer."

Try calamondin with its glossy rich green leaves and small, fragrant white flowers. These mini oranges are hybrids between mandarins and kumquats. Alternatively mandarin trees are another great choice, as they are low-maintenance. A perfect dwarf variety of mandarin for a container is the Owari satsuma mandarin. The fruit is sweet, seedless, and easy-to-peel, and the tree reaches eight feet maximum.

For a more unusual choice look out for bergamot plants (Citrus x bergamia), grown principally for their perfume.

Choose patio citrus tree varieties if space is limited. These are compact, dwarf varieties specifically bred or grafted to thrive in containers on patios, balconies, or small terraces, and they're so small you can move them around easily.

How to Grow Citrus Fruit Trees in Pots Successfully

When growing potted citrus first choose the right spot for your fruit tree. Juliet's advice? "Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine! Citrus will thrive with eight hours or more of sun. It will live with six hours or more. My pro tip is placing the citrus tree on a wheeled plant caddy that will allow you to move it from one side of the patio to the other. This can be the difference between eight hours of sun or four hours."

Next, choose your pot. "Your citrus container must be large enough, ideally a few inches wider than the root ball of your plant," says Juliet. "Choose a pot that is breathable, such as terracotta, and has holes for drainage. A light-colored container is better as it will reflect light, keeping the root system cooler."

Aim for a well-drained, balanced soil mix: Two parts high-quality potting mix, one part pine bark fines, and one part perlite. Amend this with a slow-release citrus fertilizer and compost.

"Citrus thrives with a constant wet-dry cycle rather than a constantly moist one. This means watering your plant until the water reaches the bottom of the pot and you see it draining out. If the top inch of the container is dry, this means it's time to water."

To overwinter your citrus plant, find a sunny spot like a greenhouse or a wall of south-facing windows. A bright, enclosed, but unheated porch can also work well. The plants' need for water will slow down, but their need for light will not.

Planters to Match the Mediterranean Modern Aesthetic

Now find more inspiration with the best trees to grow in containers, as well as the best shrubs for containers, to bring your pot display up to speed.

And for more design ideas for your garden and beyond, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Being able to recline in a small garden sometimes feels like a pipe dream. As a small home dweller, I know the struggle all too well. The most stylish furniture tends to be solidly built (which is usually a good thing), but in small spaces, that often means sacrificing too much space — and while folding camping chairs are practical, they're unsightly... to say the least. Fed up, I set out on a quest to find outdoor seating that folds away effortlessly without compromising on style, and — finally — I've found it.

This Foldable Garden Steamer Chair from John Lewis proves you don't need acres of land to enjoy a little outdoor luxury. Folding totally flat for easy storage, it's officially my favorite sunlounger of 2026.

Ready to upgrade your sun-lounging experience in time for summer? This reclining chair could be the space-saving solution you've been looking for. But if it's not quite your style, budget, or — and I'm warning you — it's sold out, I've also found six savvy, space-saving alternatives to shop, too.

My biggest challenge when it comes to outdoor furniture has always been storage. With limited outdoor space, everything I introduce needs to pack down to fit in my small entryway. Traditional steamer chairs (originally designed for passengers relaxing on the decks of early 20th-century ocean liners) are pretty, but oversized and awkward, making them difficult to store. This one, however, is built differently.

Looking for more foldable garden chairs that marry style and function? Here are some other compact options I'm strongly considering for my small garden.

Just because you have a small outdoor space, it doesn't mean you can't have elegant seating and luxurious lounging, and the sleek Steamer Garden Chair from John Lewis is living proof. All you need to do is choose furniture that folds away for a flexible outdoor space that adapts to your changing summer plans.

Looking for more ways to upgrade your garden seating? The latest outdoor furniture trends are full of inspiration for a space that looks chic and high-end in 2026 (and beyond).

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On summer nights — just after the sun sets, the warmth lingers, and the air carries a sense of tranquillity — I often find myself wishing I could capture a moment in time. But the one thing I've found that promises to prolong the evening for just that little bit longer is the ambient glow of outdoor lighting. Low-level lighting looks enchanting, softly layered in your garden, creating a relaxed atmosphere, just like twilight.

Solar path lights are my favorite way to do it, and these Outdoor Solar Pathfinder Lights from M&S are just £19.99. Whether you sit them on either side of your pathway, pop them in a planter, or next to a bed of flowers, these lights are deserving of any space in your landscape. They have perfect reviews, too — one customer simply says "perfect for pathways," while another mentions layering them with string lighting.

As the sun dips and these lights start to glow, balance them with some gentle garden moonlighting to create a charming ambience; it's the most effective way to add depth and dimension to your outdoor space.

The sleek silhouette allows for the subtle glow of the bulb to take center stage. But choosing where to place them is no easy feat. To accentuate the details of your garden, plant them under trees and greenery, or place them in dark corners to give the illusion of a wider outdoor space.

For more ways to incorporate low-level pathfinding lighting into your outdoor space, find some more garden lighting buys below.

You wouldn’t think that these buys — whether the twinkly lights from Next or the industrial-esque posts from Dunelm — could transform outdoor spaces into magical experiences that seemingly stop time, but that’s the beauty of outdoor lighting.

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