With warmer weather and all the bank holiday weekends, May is the perfect month to entertain at home. This year there is the added bonus of a celebratory Coronation weekend. Whether you are having a full-on royal celebration or just having friends round for a laid-back barbecue in the garden, it’s time to freshen up your entertaining spaces.

Refresh outdoor furniture
My husband is always keen to get the garden furniture out early in the year, ready for that first barbecue. There’s always some work to be done to spruce things up. Think about repainting tired looking furniture with one of the easy-to-use outdoor paints available now – check out Rustoleum or Frenchic Alfresco for a lovely selection of colours. For that special Royal touch, paint it in a bold yellow like King Charles has at his Highgrove home.

Take the indoors outdoors
The warmer weather is sometimes slow to arrive, so invest in some bright warm outdoor throws and cushions. My top picks this year are Marks and Spencer’s brightly coloured Tropical Print, and red, white and blue Bunting Flag cushions.
An outdoor rug is a must-have for any stylish alfresco setting. Invest in one and transform your outside space into an inviting extension to your home. Weaver Green has a wide selection of eco-friendly rugs in bright patterns and colours – I particularly like the Andalucía Zahara style.

Set the tone
It’s always good to pick a theme for a celebration. Complement your garden style with a vintage country garden afternoon tea, or go full-on exotic and have a tropical cocktail party or Moroccan style supper. My USA-based daughter is planning a Coronation themed party and we are having so much fun searching out the best value royal themed accessories for her. Check out Ginger Ray’s website for inspiration.

No effort tablescapes
In this Instagram age there is no excuse for not having an interesting and colourful tabletop; there is so much inspiration out there. For a vintage country garden theme, keep it simple with fresh flowers or pretty plants in small terracotta pots, paired with mismatched vintage or rustic handmade-looking tableware and linen napkins.

For a more contemporary look, natural browns are on trend. Check out the seventies style smoky-coloured glassware and chic outdoor lanterns at Zara Home.

The little details
It’s always important to create an atmosphere for a party and it’s the smallest details that count. String garlands of soft white lights around the garden, festoon your dining space with multi-coloured lanterns, or hang Union Jack bunting all around.

Why not create an on-trend grazing board as a centrepiece for your guests to tuck into when they arrive? Whatever your chosen theme, enjoy your spring entertaining in style!