6 ways to create a dream garden

Need a quick fix to make your outside space look and feel fabulous? Be inspired with our top tips to create a stylish outdoor garden perfect for entertaining or just hanging out.

Go big with pots

Create the feeling of an oasis big or small with oversized pots and plants that will add instant grandeur to your garden. Fill them with feathery trees, colourful plants, or large herbs like rosemary to create visual interest and a wonderful scent around your garden. Arrange pots in vignettes of three, going from large to small.

Plants lots of herbs

Plant herb containers around your garden with flat-leaf parsley and scented mint for a pot that is fabulously fragranced looks beautiful and is useful in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to mix and match as they will instantly give the garden energy and colour even if everything isn’t in full bloom yet. Group pots together on a garden table so when you’re sitting outside or looking out over your garden it looks styled and gorgeous. 

Colour your seats

While the colour of garden furniture tends to spin from steadfast neutrals why not make your garden feel even more inviting with lots of bright cushions scattered about to evoke the feeling of sunshine and summer amongst the all the green. Accessorise with patterned throws for extra comfort, as you’ll always need something to keep you warm in the cooler evenings.  

Boost your table

Eating alfresco is one of the joys of summertime and a colourful backdrop will make your outdoor eating even more enjoyable. A tablecloth is a great starting point to make your table special and it will add an instant pop of colour. Don’t be afraid to go for patterned styles as you can match the mix of colours with beautiful ceramics and glassware. Fill a vase with colourful flowers from the garden for a charming centerpiece.

Decorate with rugs

Decorative elements play as much a part in the look and feel of your garden as they do inside, and a rug is a simple way of elevating your alfresco space. A bold design will brighten up your space and create visual interest. The way you position rugs will define a specific area in your garden as they act as an anchor to bring different pieces of furniture together. Rugs are also a great way to hide imperfections on the floor such as staining on decking or cracking stone surfaces.

Use outdoor lighting 

Lighting is a key feature to create the right ambiance outdoors. As the sun goes down it elevates the atmosphere and will make your garden feel inviting. A string of fairy lights will add a romantic touch and portable lighting dotted around the outside space will give a lovely glow. Lanterns are a great way of burning candles, so they don’t get blown out in the breeze, but chandeliers and candelabras will add a dramatic touch. Hanging candles in holders on trees or glass jars with tea lights on a path will light the way and illuminate your garden features.