How to design a garden for outdoor entertaining

Shelter and shade

Incorporating a pergola into your garden landscaping can elevate the style, functionality, and comfort of your outdoor space. A pergola offers a versatile structure that provides shade during sunny days, defines garden zones, and creates a focal point, all while blending beautifully with plantings. A traditional pergola provides partial shade through its open-roof structure, but can provide more shelter when plants grown up and over the structure.

Gazebos, wooden pergolas, parasols and shade sails are stylish and easy to install and also offer sun and rain protection.

Outdoor lighting:

• For ambiance use string lights, lanterns or wall lights.
• Up lighting trees, fairy lights in shrubs, solar path lights.
• Consider smart or solar-powered options for ease and sustainability.

Heating and cooling

• For year-round use, add fire pits, chimineas, or patio heaters for warmth.
• Misting fans or shade structures for hot days.

Add greenery and decor

• Use container plants, climbing vines, or vertical gardens to add greenery without taking up space.
• Incorporate colourful flowers, fragrant herbs, and textural foliage.
• Decorative elements like outdoor rugs, cushions, or sculptures enhance personality.
• You can also plant ferns or shade-tolerant plants at the base of your pergola to create a cooler microclimate.