This year we were blessed with sunny Easter weather and you can be sure that over the summer months, come rain or shine, there will be more opportunities to enjoy being outdoors. It’s just as much fun to decorate your outside space as your indoor space – and it really doesn’t have to cost much to refresh your look. Here are some ideas and inspiration to get you started.

Create an outdoor room

Make your garden into a summer haven. Step one – get out your paintbrush. Painting your garden fence a more up-to-date colour can make a real difference. A chic dark grey can work well and is smart and stylish.

Upcycle your garden furniture by painting it in a fresh con-temporary hue – try on-trend shades of coral or mustard for a pop of colour. Don’t forget to spruce up your patio either. You can hire a patio cleaner for a small cost and you’ll be amazed by how much brighter it looks.

A place to relax

I am a fan of arbours and gazebos; they provide a cosy sheltered space for relaxing and are an attractive focal point for your garden. A friend built a summer house in the corner of her Cheltenham town garden, transforming her outside space and she uses it all year round!

Give your garden furniture a summer spruce up or invest in something new. Rattan and cane are very much on-trend, or if you are looking for a contemporary vibe go for metal or corded seating in bright colours (Ikea has some great cheap options).

Soften up your seating

Invest in some new cushions to add some sizzle. Look for bright botanical prints in weather resistant fabrics, paired with big green plants in metal planters for an Aussie tropical vibe. Alternatively, go for stripes in soft shades of blue or sand for a beachier look.

Finish off with floor cushions in a contemporary geometric print or an outdoor rug (big this season) made from an eco-friendly material such as recycled plastic bottles.

Dining alfresco

Nothing says lazy summer days better than alfresco dining. Even if you only have a small backyard or balcony you can invest in a bistro dining set – perfect for early evening drinks or an outdoor brunch. Mix and match your chairs and tables to create a vintage look.

You don’t even have to rely on paper plates and plastic cups that are bad for the environment any more. The newest outdoor dining ranges look so good you could use them indoors and no-one would know the difference.

Finishing touches

The right lighting creates that all important magical touch. I love lots of tea lights for creating atmosphere – why not use eco-friendly LED lights to highlight a particularly striking aspect of your garden, or festoon twinkly string lights around your patio. All you need to do now is light the barbecue, sit back and look forward to summer!