A few years ago when we moved into our house, the garden was very much a “we’ll deal with that later” situation. After months of focusing on indoor renovations, we bought a simple set of garden furniture just so we had somewhere to sit outside with a cup of tea on sunny days. Nothing fancy — just practical.
Fast forward a few seasons and most of the big projects inside the house are finally done. Which means I can finally turn my attention to the garden properly. And if you’re anything like me, once you start imagining spring evenings outside, you realise your garden furniture suddenly matters quite a lot.
This year I decided to upgrade and plan the space properly. My goal was something timeless and easy to style year after year, so I went with a monochrome base. It keeps everything looking polished while still letting me swap out soft furnishings later if I fancy a pop of colour.
Here are the things I considered when choosing our new garden setup.
Start With Shelter: A Gazebo
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about British summers is that you need a bit of flexibility. Sunshine is lovely, but a little shade (or protection from a surprise drizzle) makes the garden far more usable.
That’s why I started with our gazebo with curtains. It creates a proper “room” outdoors, which means we can confidently sit outside on many more days than otherwise. The curtains add a bit of softness and privacy too, which I love when we’re hosting family or friends. It’s also easy to set up and take down, so we can keep it out only on the days we feel we really need it.
Now the seating area feels sheltered and cosy, rather than just a few chairs sitting in the middle of the patio.
Invest in Comfortable Seating
If you want to actually spend time in the garden, comfortable seating is essential. It sounds obvious, but so many of us buy garden furniture that looks good but isn’t somewhere you’d happily sit for an entire afternoon.
The Santorini 5-Seater Corner Sofa Set felt like the natural upgrade for our space. It’s roomy enough for the whole family to pile onto, which means summer evenings can stretch out longer without everyone disappearing back inside.
I love that it feels like a living room sofa, just outdoors. Perfect for chatting, reading, or the occasional outdoor movie night with the kids.
Layer With Soft Furnishings
Once the main furniture is in place, this is where the fun really starts. Soft furnishings are the easiest way to add personality and comfort — and they’re also the easiest things to switch up later.
The monochrome footstool has been brilliant for putting your feet up as we’d otherwise have feet on the table – a big no-no.
I’ve also added a mix of cushions, including a round floor cushion and a striped bolster. They instantly pull everything together, giving a softer, more inviting feel.
For a slightly different texture, I mixed in the frill-edge bow cushions, which add a subtle decorative detail without clashing with the rest of the look.
This layered approach keeps everything feeling cosy and relaxed rather than overly polished.
What I like most about choosing a monochrome base is how flexible it is. The main pieces will last for years, but I can easily update the look with new cushions, throws, or accessories as trends change.
It means the garden can evolve without having to start from scratch every summer — which, as a bargain-loving homeware enthusiast, is exactly how I like to shop.
Because the best outdoor spaces aren’t the ones that look perfect in a catalogue. They’re the ones that make you want to sit down, stay a while, and enjoy the sunshine when it finally appears.
Shop Garden for the full range.