Outdoor Living

This modern, clean-lined furniture is ideal for a small urban rooftop, patio or balcony. Montreal luxury rope-weave three-piece bistro set, £250, B&M.

By Katherine Sorrell

Create a relaxed summer vibe with gorgeous garden furnishings and accessories.

Add a spot of colour and pattern in the form of fun and funky cushions. Premium outdoor scatter cushion, £12, B&M.

Lightweight and compact, this portable lantern (powered by a gas canister) can be safely popped on a tabletop or by a seating area for added atmosphere. Cosiscoop timber fire lantern, £179.99, Dobbies. This summer is all about the egg chair – it’s a garden must-have that offers an inviting place to curl up and while away the hours in the great outdoors. Rey hanging chair with stand, £989.99, Wayfair. Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Add a hammock to your outside space for the ultimate in luxury lounging. Cruz cotton hammock with macramé edging, £135, Beaumonde.

A hardwood deckchair will last years and years. Choose a seat sling that complements other elements of your outdoor space. Rendezvous fruit deckchair, £175, Oliver Bonas.

Grab the curved metal handle and move this lamp around your garden to brighten your evening. Corte IP44 outdoor colourchanging rechargeable table light, £36, Iconic Lights.

Mix and match a range of vivid colours for a vibrant and exciting garden style. Selection of outdoor furnishings and accessories, all John Lewis. Introduce intrigue and a sense of extra depth to your garden with a mirror mounted to a wall or fence. Orlanda outdoor mirror, £149, Furniture Village. • Think of your outside space as another room of the house – or, if it’s particularly large, a series of rooms. What do you need to make it welcoming, comfortable and practical? Start with furniture for eating, chatting and relaxing – from dining sets to chairs and coffee tables to hammocks and swing seats. • Add cushions, throws, beanbags and rugs that introduce coordinated colour, interesting patterns and attractive textures.

Modern outdoor textiles should be reasonably waterproof, mould-proof, stain-resistant and

UV-resistant, though it is best to store them away over the winter. • Lighting is vital, helping to extend the life of your garden beyond dusk. If you are planning building work, you could incorporate exterior-quality cabling and wired-in light fittings, but otherwise there are plenty of options in the form of solar and rechargeable lights in an array of different styles. • You may wish to add some form of heating, such as a fire pit or brazier, chiminea, table-top heater or eco-friendly electric patio heater. • Finally, consider including coordinating planters in a range of sizes, and perhaps one or two decorative pieces such as a garden artwork, sculpture, mirror or water feature.

STOCKISTS B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk Dobbies: 0131 5616 406; dobbies.com Iconic Lights: 0161 837 6092; iconiclights.co.uk Oliver Bonas: 020 8059 2414; oliverbonas.com

Beaumonde: 01202 707 770; beaumonde.co.uk Furniture Village: 0800 804 8879; furniturevillage.co.uk John Lewis: 0345 610 0359; johnlewis.com Wayfair: wayfair.co.uk