AD – GIFTED | Thanks to the lovely warm weather, we’ve been enjoying spending a LOT more time in our garden this year – and I don’t just mean with the hosepipe and sprinkler. Styling your garden this summer needn’t cost a fortune though. A combination of DIY and some new garden accessories* are among the quickest and easiest ways to add some sparkle and style to your outdoor space. Here are a few of my favourite tips.
Easy ways to style your garden for summer
Table and chairs
Whether you have a small courtyard or a large garden, somewhere to sit outside and relax is a must. Bistro-style table and chair sets* are perfect for compact areas and can give your space a real Mediterranean holiday feel. If you have more room, then a larger table with concealed panels and chairs is brilliant for relaxed entertaining. True story alert: we didn’t realise our table had concealed centre panels at first. Then six years later we had to move it when we had our new patio laid… et voilà!
If you have some furniture already, it’s easy to update. Give it a quick hose down and scrub, and if it’s wooden you can restain or paint it a vibrant colour. Don’t forget to add a few comfy cushions and throws for the evening (y’know, just in case of a heatwave).
Lighting
Nothing says summer in the garden to me more than lights that come on at dusk. We have some electric spotlights but my favourites are our range of solar lights. I particularly love our solar firefly lights* that look beautiful in our trees.
Our solar globes and spikes dotted in and around our flower and vegetable beds are a little intermittent now, so will probably need replacing next year. I have my eye on a some of these solar lights, and I really want to buy some fairy lights for our table parasol too.
Water feature
We’re lucky to have a pond in our garden and, now the tadpoles have all hatched, we can turn on the plumbed in circulating water feature. Listening to running water is always very soothing and relaxing but it also serves to oxygenate the water too – win, win.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a pond, then a stand-alone silver ball water feature would make a striking and lovely addition to any outside space.
Planting
When you’re sitting out in the sunshine, it’s lovely to have some scented plants nearby. I sowed some fragrant annual purple petunias this year and our perennial honeysuckle by the back door is also wafting its heady perfume. Plus the soporific droning of the bees is great for encouraging afternoon siestas at the weekends…
A good plant for throwing fragrance out after the sun goes down is annual night-scented stock – I have this in planters by the back door where we can appreciate its heady clove-like aroma.
Accessories
Regular readers of my gardening posts will recognise our Tiger in the orchard, our Skeleton on the bench, our Komodo Dragon on the patio, plus a whole host of other smaller but no less quirky accessories. Our latest addition to the menagerie is this rather lovely Peacock from T J Hughes*.
We saw some peacocks on holiday recently – at a riding stables, would you believe – so this beautiful metal sculptured ornament serves as a great souvenir. And I think he goes rather well with our Tiger, giving a slight India vibe to our orchard.
Flora and I are divided on what to call him though so I’d like to enlist your help. Which name would you vote for? Let me know in the comments, please!
01. Geoffrey
02. Percy
03. Orlando
For the kids
No list of summer styling suggestions would be complete without a few ideas for play areas for the kids. Flora is lucky enough to have a trampoline and I’ve been using it recently too – not for bouncing, that would be unimaginably tragic to witness – but for sunbathing. It’s so much comfier than a sun lounger, I don’t know why I didn’t try it before.
When she was younger, she had a mud kitchen* and a wigwam* under a tree in the orchard (try looking on Pinterest for all kinds of inspiration if you’re not sure how to make one). If you don’t have space for a trampoline, or a mud kitchen, or a wigwam then our other fail safes are chalking on the patio or water pistols. Both always go down a treat on play dates with friends, and with Alan, haha.
Six tips for styling your garden this summer
So these are my six suggestions for enjoying your summer garden. Have you used any of them? If not, which tip(s) do you think you’ll be trying first? And if you’re looking for any further garden styling inspiration, do check out Steph’s fabulous step-by-step garden makeover post for some serious garden envy!
* This is a sponsored post meaning I received items and/or payment in exchange for a review but all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links, please see my Disclaimer.
I love the idea of having a peacock! All of these options can make the garden look unique. Awesome tips! BTW Percy seems like a nice peacock name. 🙂
Thank you! Unique is certainly what we aim for, haha. And thank you for voting too 🙂 x
I love your garden Lisa! You have so many beautiful features, I especially love the solar firefly lights, I imagine they look so pretty at night. The photo of your cat waiting patiently at the table is the cutest! The tiger and peacock look great together, loving the oriental vibe. I vote for Geoffrey, as he looks like a Geoffrey he he. Also, sunbathing on a trampoline sounds dreamy, I like your thinking! Great post lovely <3 xx
Thank you so much, Bexa! Spooky was very patient, I had to give him some chicken for posing so beautifully and not eating our dinner, haha. I am so in love with our new peacock, he looks even better in the metal, really beautiful – and thank you for voting! xx
Lisa this is so inspiring I’m by no means a gardener & certainly not a fan of having to tend to it but I do love the gorgeous items you’ve chosen. You always have such gorgeous pictures ? my pick is Orlando xx
Lisa
TVAddict2017.blog ?❤️?
Aw, Lisa, thank you, that’s so kind of you! It is a lot of work but I do love it 🙂 And thank you for voting too xx
Fabulous post! I love the different areas of your garden and the solar fire fly lights and peacock are just stunning! I’m glad I’m not the only one who fails to realise things; I had a dining room table a few years back and it was only when selling it after buying a new one that I realised it extended ?
Melanie | http://www.frasersfunhouse.com
Thank you! We looove our new peacock. And in my defence, Alan ordered the table and chairs so… ? but good to know I’m in great company! X
This is fantastic!
We have some fairylights strung in a tree too, they’re perfect for when it’s starting to get dark.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Thank you! Fairy lights are just magical at night time, aren’t they? You can never have too many ? x
Haha great pics love the skeleton chilling! How on earth is your grass still so green in this heat, my lawn is seriously suffering. I think the peacock looks more of a Geoffrey
Thank you! Only parts of the orchard in shade are green, most of the garden is dry and brown! Thank you for voting ? x
I love your posts about your garden, Lisa. I’d love to have a pond and tadpoles in ours. We have resident frogs and toads but not seen many this year as our new neighbours filled in their pond (why move to the country if you hate wildlife in your garden?!) I’ve also planted petunias this year but they’re shop bought ones. I grew pansies, lobelia and begonias from seed and they’re all thriving to my astonishment – the pansies have a lovely sweet smell. And I need one of those peacocks, so gorgeous! I vote for Orlando for your tiger’s name – I don’t know why but out of the names, that one stood out to me x
Thank you so much, that’s so kind. I can’t believe your neighbours filled in the pond, I mean, what??? Congrats on your seeds flourishing, it’s so exciting, isn’t it? I think the peacocks are on sale at the moment ? And thank you for voting too! X
I love love love the skeleton on the bench! Such a quirky unique garden! We have just had decking put in and we are still working out our styling etc. We need lights and a parasol as a priority but there are so many pretty things out there! I love your insight into your garden and may check out TJ Hughes for their touches 🙂
Hehe, our skeleton is certainly a talking point! And we’re lucky to have the space for lots of quirky accessories ? Thank you so much for your comments, and yes, do check out TJ Hughes, they have some lovely things! X
Oh your garden looks amazing! Sometimes I wish I had garden and then I remember what a work it is, especially compared to a balcony. Though, outing with a toddler when I don’t necessarily feel like going out would definitely be easier with one haha 😀
lots of love, Jasmin
// littlethingswithjassy.com
Thank you! You’re right, a garden is a lot of hard work but it’s so rewarding too, I love it. It’s been great for Flora growing up, she’s been able to run a little wild! ? xx
This is a great post, your garden is so beautiful! I love your peacock and think you should.name him Orlando! I love garden ornaments, we have a flamingo and an emoji!
Thank you! Our peacock is gorgeous and thank you for voting. I have my eye on some flamingo accessories too, haha, watch this space! X
You garden is adorable, I love eating outside so somewhere to sit out and eat is essential to me, I don’t have a water feature but totally agree that the sound of water is so calming! Your lights are so cute too, looks like a lovely set up to sit out in in the Summer!
Sophie – https://sophhearts.com x
Thank you, Sophie, so kind. We’ve been loving eating outside recently, the weather’s been fab, hasn’t it? We’re so lucky with our garden! Xx
How beautiful! I love the idea of adding tables and chairs to a garden – you picked out really ones too! I also like the idea of adding the peacock :3 In my old city, peacocks were so abundant, you’d have to stop your car and let them cross the street first!
Oh wow, how amazing about the peacocks, that must have been a sight! And thank you so much for your lovely comments, so kind! x
The skeleton guy is so awesome! I love gardens (I unfortunately live in a block and don’t have even one square meter of green). My favourite part is planting (I even plant in my flat, cause why not?) and I love gardens with many flowers. Also, your table set is very nice.
Dorota
http://www.fetchcandle.wordpress.com
Hehe, he’s certainly a talking point, I’m sure he’ll be useful when Flora studies anatomy in more detail too! Ah, that’s a shame about not having your own outside space but kudos to you for growing houseplants, my track record with indoor greenery is dismal! x
Ahh love the peacock and the tiger, such great features to your garden! We don’t have a garden sadly but I just look at yours in envy
Kate xx
Aw, thank you! We are very lucky to have this space – but for 15 years I lived in a flat with only a window box so I feel my time is now! x
Lisa, I never fail to be impressed by your beautiful garden! Your purple petunias are gorgeous and such a vibrant colour! The water feature is simply lovely too, the trickling sound of the water must make you feel very serene! Your new peacock addition works so well, especially with the tiger! I must say that my vote is for Percy for a name! I absolutely loved having a trampoline as a kid so I’m really happy to hear that Flora loves hers too! And you’re absolutely right, they are amazing as sun loungers! Your skeleton chilling out on the bench did make me chuckle as well!
Abbey xxx
Wow, Abbey, thank you, what a lovely thing to say, thank you so much! I think the name vote is running at a tie at the moment, someone threw a curve ball with Gerald as well (!) so we may end up picking a name out of a hat… And glad you liked our skeleton – he’s certainly a feature that makes people stop and stare 🙂 xx
Lovely post! Your garden is very impressive! Lots of great tips here which I will take on board in my journey into adulthood, and hopefully, one day having my own garden. Totally agree. Lighting and water features make gardens magical and relaxing, and a large garden table is a must for socialising.
Megan xxx
Thank you! I love our garden so much, even though it’s a LOT of work. But the recent gorgeous weather is making it all worthwhile! xx
Your garden is so dreamy and desirable Lisa. Everything here is beautiful. the flowers, water falling but I am scared of frogs. Trampoline is a great addition to have. I’d love bouncing on it though hehe. Name for the tiger I would go with Orlando hehe. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Ah, thank you, Via, that’s so kind. But wait, WHAT? How can you be scared of frogs, they’re so cute, haha! Yes, the trampoline isn’t just for kids either 🙂 x
The peacock, tiger and skeleton are amazing 😂 but the skeleton wins for me…
Funny, that’s what Alan’s pals all say too… 😂