Kids’ bedrooms Give your child a

Keep it calm

Bright, bold and stimulating colours aren’t for every child, so if they and you prefer something a little more subdued here are some pastel shades that will help bring a sense of serenity to their room.

Dusky pink

This rosy shade is a classic for a reason. It’s a pale colour that matches beautifully with other pastel tones including mustard yellow and teal, as well as other neutrals such as taupe and beige. It works equally well as a background colour or as way to highlight a specific feature or the room or lift a piece of furniture.

Custard yellow

A cheerful yellow colour scheme brings a sunny and energising brightness to a room. But if you want to give the space more of a calming, mellow feel, instead of a get-upand-go vibe, then opt for a creamier yellow instead.

Lavender lilac

When you’ve packed away the toys because your child is turning into a teen and wants a more grown-up room, this light purple shade can provide the sophisticated air they might be looking for.

Cyan blue

This greenish-blue shade is a highly versatile colour because besides working well on its own, its also works with a wide variety of different tones as well, such as yellow, green, pink and coral. In a pale shade, cyan is great for giving a bedroom a relaxing sense of calm.

Cerulean blue

This refreshingly deep shade is a mix between dark sky blue and azure. It’s the perfect backdrop for a room that needs to serve as a space for children of different ages, whether they’re tiny tots or have reached double digits.

Pistachio green

Most types of green, excluding full-on neon shades, can be linked to nature, which automatically scores them a place in the calm colours category. But this particular yellowgreen shade is easy on the eye thanks to its softness and it matches effortlessly with other calming colours, especially lavender and pale yellow.

Pure white

This may not seem like an exciting choice for decorating a kid’s room, but a neutral backdrop makes it easy to bring in and balance more colourful accent pieces. Perhaps best of all, however, white walls will keep working over several years as your child starts to explore their personal style and the frequent updates that can bring.

Powder interior

eggshell paint, £55 for 2.5L,

Dune Grass

Fenwick & Tilbrook

matt emulsion

paint, £29.16 for 2.5L, Dulux

Cloud rug in Mustard, £55, Bobby Rabbit

Kip & Co Savannah embroidered

pillowcase, £25, Antipodream

Fabric cactus

doorstop, £8.95, Live, Laugh, Love

Dinosaurs Florals wallpaper, £34 m sq, Wallsauce

Bertie Bear basket with

lid, £99.90, Beaumonde

Lion head with pink cheeks, £69, Bobby Rabbit

Just A Perfect Grey

eggshell paint, £49.99 for 2.5L, Dowsing & Reynolds

If you find yourself wanting to take a break from the summer sun, seek sanctuary in the shade of this brig and cheerful parasol. This fruity number doesn’t just ht HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR pack a colourful punch, it’s also height adjustable and has a wide, 1.6m diameter to provide a generously sized patch of cooling shade. Colourful canopy OUTDOOR FURNITURE Garden furniture may be made to withstand the

Garden parasol in Ipanema Fruit, £18, Argos weather but it still needs some TLC now and then. Here are some top tips on how to protect your This low-maintenance bistro set wooden pieces from the experts at Protek… Fuss-free furniture would make a fabulous addition to any patio, balcony or garden. It’s part of Kettler’s brand-new Menos range The number-one enemy of wooden garden furniture is water, which can cause swelling and damage. Mould and features a pair of dining chairs can also take hold of wood and frost will attack any and an aluminium side table. The chair exposed areas. Protection by waterproofing is key frames are made from galvanised steel here – you can also add a splash of colour at the same to stop them rusting while the PVC time. Look for waterproof coatings that contain fungal used for the seating is UV stabilised inhibitors to protect the surface beneath from mould to prevent it fading in the sunlight. It while still allowing the timber to breathe. Old coatings comes in orange, blue or green. can be painted over if they’re water-based and repaired. Metro lounge duo set in Orange, Before you start adding a fresh coat, however, make £199, Kettler sure you prepare the furniture. Start by cleaning the surfaces with a damp cloth, then allow them to dry. Next, use a stiff brush to strip off any loose paint or Elegant sand down the wood, before wiping it clean. If you’re and easy not doing this on grass, then protect the floor with a to care waterproof dustsheet and use a synthetic brush that’s

If you’re looking for outdoor dining furniture on the smaller f small enough to reach into tight corners. side, then this bistro set is a Protek Royal Exterior paint acts as a great base coat, perfect choice. Not only is it so it can be applied without a primer, however if it’s a highly durable, thanks to its light colour then it may need a primer and a knotting powder-coated iron frame, it’s agent to prevent tannin staining. Two to three coats are also beautifully decorated with recommended to build colour depth. its mosaic-style tabletop and Wooden garden furniture can also be made to look seating made from broken bits as good as new with Protek Royal Exterior Superior of ceramic plates. Wood Finish. This long-lasting, breathable protection

Two-seater bistro set, has a soft lustre that allows the grain to show through. £184.99, Wayfair It’s also water-based and has a low VOC content. It’s available in a wide range of colours for £17.99 per litre. Beautiful Find out more at protekwoodstain.co.uk. bench Weather you’re reading a book, feeding the birds or admiring your flower beds, a bench is the perfect place to park yourself. This classic design has been given a Sometimes all you need to relax and contemporary update with metal slats for seating and a unwind is an old-fashioned deckchair bright cobalt blue hue. It’s colourful finish is powderand this one from The Stripes Company coated to help it withstand the weather and it’s also is just the ticket. With its smooth teak available in red and black. frame, warm-coloured hardwood Space Indu metal slatted garden bench beige cricket-stripe slip, in Cobalt Blue, £175, Habitat what’s not to love?

Tight on room in your garden? Don’t worry, the Orlando multifunctional patio set has been designed with compact spaces in mind. It provides comfortable and stylish seating and dining space for four people, and when it’s not needed, it can be packed away into itself. Simply flip the tabletop up, slot the bench into the table and the stools slide in

Orlando multifunction four-piece garden

patio set, £249, George Home

beneath the bench. and blue, orange, green and

saver

Classic comft

Premium teak deck

chair in Cricket Stripe, £110, The Stripes Company