![\"outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/outdoor-rugs-living-area-john-lewis.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Image: John Lewis\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n We’re officially ready for summer. Now the warmer weather just needs to kick in.<\/p>\n Read on for some\u00a0easy garden inspiration for prepping your outdoor space for the summer so when the sun does eventually come out, all you’ll need to do is soak it all up\u00a0with a tipple in hand.<\/p>\n Image: Neptune\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p> Set up your dining table in an area that escapes the midday sun. If you have no natural shade, train climbing plants up a simple wooden pergola and add festoon lights for al fresco evenings.<\/p>\n Image: Valspar<\/em><\/p>\n Revive tired garden furniture by updating in a perky colour. Go for a sunny yellow, cheery orange or hot pink instead of traditional garden shades \u2013 a bright colour will pop against dark timber or brickwork for a lighter look.<\/p>\n Image: John Lewis<\/em><\/p> Make rough paving or weathered decking comfier under bare feet with an outdoor rug. Go for an all-weather material like polypropylene that won\u2019t fade in bright sun and is easy to keep clean.<\/p>\n Image: Argos<\/em><\/p>\n Set up a makeshift bar so thirsty guests can help themselves. Prepare batches of homemade lemonade or fruit punch in advance, served in sturdy drinks dispensers, with supplies of cups, plates and cutlery on hand.<\/p>\n Image: Talking Tables\u00a0<\/em><\/p> Go for a totally tropical vibe for al fresco entertaining by decking out your outdoor space with lush potted palms, leafy garlands and paper lanterns. Finish by dressing the table and serving party fare with a palm leaf motif.<\/p>\n Image: Sainsbury’s Home<\/em><\/p>\n No garden? No problem. A chair, space to rest a cuppa and a little greenery are all you need, even if the only outdoor space you have is a balcony or small patio.<\/p>\n Image: National Trust Shop\u00a0<\/em><\/p> Make your garden wildlife-friendly by fixing up a bird, bee or bat house. Choose a sheltered spot, at least 2m off the ground and away from overhanging branches where cats might lurk.<\/p>\n Image: Garden Trading<\/em><\/p>\n Make space in the back garden for a mini vegetable patch using easy-to-assemble raised wooden beds. This modular range can be stacked at different heights with grow tunnels and covers that can be added on top.<\/p>\n Image: Sandtex<\/em><\/p> Perk up a drab exterior wall with an easy ombr\u00e9 effect. Use a pale colour as your base, then paint the bottom third a darker shade. Mix the two colours together on a board and use for the mid-section, blurring the edges where they meet with a clean roller.<\/p>\n Image: IKEA<\/em><\/p>\n Hang colourful clustered paper lanterns as a fun focal point in an outdoor seating area. Use solar lights so there are no untidy wires to tangle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Words:\u00a0Lisa Fazzani<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nDining in the shade<\/h3>\n
![\"garden](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/neptune-garden-dining-table-pergola-vines-shade.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAdvertisements<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/figure><\/div>\nAdd a pop of paint<\/h3>\n
![\"pink](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pink-lime-painted-chair-plants-valspar.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOutdoor rug styling tip<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nAdvertisements<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nEnjoy drinks on tap<\/h3>\n
![\"drinks](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/argos-drinks-holders-tap-dispensers.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTotally tropical decorations<\/h3>\n
![\"wood](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/wood-tables-tropical-decorations-palm-prints-talkingtables.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAdvertisements<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\nMake your balcony or patio a peaceful spot<\/h3>\n
![\"outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/outdoor-chair-cusions-plants-sainsburys-home.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWildlife friendly styling tip<\/h3>\n
![\"bird](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/outdoor-steps-bird-boxes-birdfeed-wildlife-garden.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAdvertisements<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\nGrow your own<\/h3>\n
![\"growing](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/growing-own-vegetables-in-small-pots-garden-trading.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGive your garden wall some wow<\/h3>\n
![\"ombre](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/painted-outdoor-wall-ombre-sandtex.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAdvertisements<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Advertisements<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/figure><\/div>\nGo big with outoor lighting<\/h3>\n
![\"polka](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/polka-dot-spots-print-outdoor-lighting-lanterns-ikea.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHave you updated your outdoor space for summer yet? Share your pics\u00a0tagging us on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0with #thisgoodhome, tweeting us\u00a0@goodhomesmag<\/a>\u00a0or posting a comment on our\u00a0Facebook page<\/a>.<\/h5>\n
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5 space-saving ideas to maximise your outdoor space\u00a0<\/a><\/h4>\n
Easy interior garden ideas from Chelsea Flower Show<\/a><\/h4>\n
More garden inspiration\u00a0<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From quick makes and best buys to clever tricks for planting, use these simple tips to get your garden looking gorgeous this summer. Image: John Lewis\u00a0 We’re officially ready for summer. Now the warmer weather just needs to kick in. Read on for some\u00a0easy garden inspiration for prepping your outdoor space for the summer so… View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-2727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-garden"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n