Styling the Outdoors – Things We Love In Team TLB

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, now’s the time to give your garden a little refurb ready for those outdoor socials.

When sprucing up your outdoor space, think of it as an extension of your home. Comfort is key, but adding those stylish, modern touches can help make those lazy al fresco evenings with loved ones all the more special.

To create the perfect outdoor space to socialise with friends, be inspired by the things we love in Team TLB right now.

Outdoor Rugs

Outdoor rugs aren’t a particularly new trend, but they’re becoming increasingly popular as we spend more and more time outdoors. These rugs are perfect for creating a defined living area in the garden and add texture, bringing a homely feel to the outdoors. They also extend the living space beyond the home, making your entertaining space feel even bigger.

Outdoor rugs also have several practical benefits, as they cover up imperfect areas of the garden (a chipped patio or dead patch of grass, for example) and prevent you from walking dirt indoors.

Most indoor rugs aren’t suited to being outside, which is why a specially-crafted outdoor rug is best. They’re made from durable, weatherproof materials, such as polypropylene, that are easy to clean and affordable.

One of our favourites is the Indoor Outdoor Coast Rug from Cox and Cox. It’s made from tough, hard-wearing PVC that feels soft underfoot – perfect for barefoot garden adventures.

Another outdoor rug that’s caught our eye is the Brighton Indoor Outdoor Flatweave Rug. Available in a range of sizes to suit your garden space, it’s made from 100% woven polypropylene yarn. It has an abrash effect with contrasting shades, giving it a unique and stylish look that’ll wow your guests. And not only that, but the fabric’s been woven using renewable energy, making it better for the environment.

Indoor Outdoor Coast Rug / Brighton Indoor Outdoor Flatweave Rug

Throws

You just never know with the Great British weather. But one thing you can count on is that it’s bound to get chilly as soon as the sun goes down. That’s why a warm, cosy throw is just what we need to keep us comfortable while we’re socialising outdoors with friends this spring.

The White Company offers a gorgeous selection of throws.

We also love the Recycled Natural Throw by the Secret Linen Store. Made from a unique blend of recycled yarns, it’s good for the planet and has a gorgeous natural look that’ll enhance any outdoor space.

When you’re not using your throw, strategically place it over a chair or garden sofa to add a touch of style to your garden.

Cushions

No garden get-together’s complete without plenty of cushions. If you’re short on space, floor cushions maximise the area you have to play with as they provide additional seating for your guests. They also create a relaxed, informal feel, allowing your friends to feel more at home. And that’s not all, as choosing the right cushions emphasises your garden’s overall look and feel.

Cushoo has a gorgeous range of cushions in a range of shapes, sizes and colours. Browse their velvet, geometric or bolster collections and discover the styles that will suit the look you’re going for in your garden the most.

Or sit back and relax on John Lewis’ Leaf Square Outdoor Cushion. It’s made from cotton grown and responsibly sourced from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). BCI is a non-profit organisation that helps farmers reduce the impact of cotton production on the local environment while aiming to improve their livelihoods.

Tables and Chairs

Tables and chairs have two functions: they need to be comfortable for you and your guests, but they also contribute to your garden’s aesthetic. Everyone’s tastes are different, but choosing reliable, hard-wearing furniture that not only looks great will ensure it lasts for years to come.

The Ravenna Lounge Set from Cox and Cox is the perfect blend of style and substance. It’s made from acacia wood with an authentic white washed finish and elegant slatted design, making it ideal for homeowners looking to create a country garden look. It comes with a three-seater sofa and two armchairs, providing plenty of space for friends and family. And with a rectangular table for snacks and drinks, you’ll have everything you need for a fun get-together with your loved ones. (You won’t even have to move!)

If you’re a bit short on space, a small bistro or table and chair set is a great way to make full use of your garden. The Alice Antique Bronze Set from Lazy Susan is a maintenance-free four-seater set. Made from weatherproof cast aluminium, it’s perfect for small gatherings or a relaxing evening spent with friends in the garden.

While it looks thick and sturdy, it only weighs 19kg, so you can easily move it into the sunniest spots.

Ravenna Lounge Set / Alice Antique Bronze Set

Outdoor Mirrors

Outdoor mirrors are becoming an increasingly popular garden trend. That’s because they create a sense of calm and tranquillity. They also make gardens feel bigger as they reflect light back into the shady spots, opening them up. If you’ve never considered an outdoor mirror before, you’d be surprised at how much character they add, transforming your space.

Rockett St George offers a variety of unique outdoor mirrors, from antique arched designs to more modern rectangular pieces. You’re bound to have your favourite, but the one that’s caught our eye is the Indoor Outdoor Windowpane Mirror.

Complete with a sloping top, this mirror adds charm wherever it’s placed. It’s inspired by French industrial design with an antique edge, mixing practicality with old-style glamour. You can either lean it against a wall or hang it up. And once the spring and summer seasons are over, bring your mirror indoors and use it inside your home.

When it comes to your outdoor mirror, be careful of where you hang it, as it can become a fire hazard in too much light. Similarly, try not to hang it too high so that birds aren’t impacted by it. 

Twinkly Lights

Lighting is just as important on the outside as it is on the inside. Not only do twinkly lights create the most gorgeous ambience, but they transform the look of your garden after dark. They also allow you to make the most of your garden once the sun goes down.

We don’t believe you can ever have too many lights, so add these gorgeous Warm White Festoon Lights from Lights4Fun to your garden to ensure your outdoor space looks even more beautiful once the sun sets. Each string contains 10 bulbs evenly spaced across 5 metres of black cable and holds a globe emitting a warm white ambient glow.

Adding a few solar lanterns around your garden is also a stunning way to light up a path or patio. The Brisbane Solar Lantern is a modern yet minimalistic accessory that suits all types of gardens. It features an LED candle inside to make it shine at night – the lifelike flicking flame looks just like the real thing.

Warm White Festoon Lights / Brisbane Solar Lantern

Fire Pit

The fun shouldn’t stop just because it’s chilly. Stay warm right into the evening and enjoy your garden for longer with a fire pit. Nothing beats sitting around the fire with your friends, reminiscing on all the good times and making plans for the future.

The Josper Low Compact Metal Fire Pit from Made is a sleek and stylish design, perfect for modern gardens. It sits low to the ground and holds enough firewood to provide just the right amount of warmth when you need it.

To stay safe while using your fire pit:

• Position it in the middle of a patio
• Place it away from your house or shed
• Keep it in an open area, away from gazebos and other enclosed spots
• Check the wind direction before lighting your fire pit
• Ensure it’s completely extinguished before putting it away

Josper Low Compact Metal Fire Pit

Hanging Chair

Relax and enjoy the company of good friends in comfort with a hanging chair. These beauties have become incredibly popular in recent years – so much so, they’re actually pretty hard to get hold of.

But it’s easy to see why everyone loves them so much. With a good book and a glass of wine in hand, there really isn’t anything more soothing.

Up your garden game with this season’s absolute must-have from John Lewis. The Chevron Garden Hanging Seat is inspired by traditional rattan furniture. The stylish chevron patterns are hand-woven on a synthetic weave on powder-coated metal frames, making it both durable and weather resistant. Isn’t it a beauty? 

But hurry, these chairs don’t hang around for long, so you’ll need to be quick if you want one!

Outdoor Plants    

We’re super excited to share our relaunched outdoor plant range, featuring a selection of colourful plant bundles, Seedboms, and our stylish herb living wall. Outdoor plants are the perfect way to bring your garden to life and can be enjoyed throughout the spring and summer months.

Our PlantBox Living Wall with Herbs is the ideal way to create a feature on an outdoor garden wall, whether your space is big or small. It comes with everything you need to create your own living wall, including a selection of herbs that you can watch grow before your very eyes.

Add a pop of colour to your garden with our British Betulia Garden Bundle. Available in red, dark pink, and light pink, they provide long-lasting blooms throughout the summer months. They’re also easy to care for, making them the perfect plants for plant newbies or seasoned experts. Each one is grown by us.

To help protect our bees, our Seedbom Bee Bomb is the perfect add-on gift. It contains a seed mix of Cornflower, Vipers Bugloss, Wild Marjoram, Red Clover, Borage and Phacelia that explodes into life to help feed the bees.

There’s also our Wildbom Seedbom, featuring a seed mix of Corn Poppy, Cornflower, Forget-me-not, Corn Marigold, Oxeye Daisy and Red Campion. Plant it between March–June for it to flower this year or August–October for next.

We’ve love to see how you style your homes this spring. Share them with us by tagging us @thelittlebotanical or using the hashtag #littlebotanicallove. We can’t wait to see them!

Team TLB x