Garden Glam: Top Tips for Styling Your Outdoor Space with Beautiful Outdoor Decor

Smart styling ideas to help you make the most of your garden this summer!

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if your garden could be an extension of your home? A place to unwind at weekends and on long summer evenings, somewhere to entertain friends and family, or an event venue for family celebrations.

With the right outdoor décor, every outdoor space – whether compact balcony, family-sized lawn, or landscaped patio - has the potential to be transformed into a show-stopping sanctuary. And we’re here to share our expert tips to help you bring your dream garden to life.

In Ireland, where a mix of sunshine and showers is our summer norm, creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space requires both style and smart planning. We understand the challenges (and charm!) of our unpredictable weather and offer practical, stylish solutions to help you transform your space into a welcoming haven all summer long.

Add Personality to Your Outdoor Space

Great garden design is about much more than plants and paving — it’s the finishing touches that truly make your outdoor space feel special. Think of your garden as a room without walls. Just like you would inside your home, look for ways to layer textures, add focal points, and include details that reflect your personality.

Start with the vision: Would you love a laid-back coastal vibe? Something chic and modern? A vibrant Mediterranean feel? Or maybe a traditional cottage garden look? Once you've settled on a style, you can build your outdoor decor around it.

Incorporate colour through cushions, throws and flower pots; use decorative ornaments and sculptures to add charm; and don’t forget your personal touch — maybe it’s a quirky gnome, a reclaimed vintage lantern... or painted old tractor tyres for planters!

Garden Furniture: Comfort and Style for Every Season

Comfortable, stylish furniture is key to enjoying your outdoor space. Choose materials that stand up to our climate — cast aluminium, rattan with waterproof cushions, or treated hardwoods.

Consider the functionality too:

Need a spot for al fresco dining? Opt for a generous table with stackable chairs.
Want to create a tranquil reading nook? Try a hanging egg chair or a reclining sun lounger.
Short on space? Folding bistro sets and compact corner units are ideal for balconies or terraces.

Our expert team can help you choose furniture that not only fits your space but enhances your lifestyle. Check out our blog on Choosing the Right Garden Furniture for Your Outdoor Space for the low down on all the options available and our top tips for selecting the furniture that best suits your needs.

Create Ambience with Outdoor Lighting

With clever placement, outdoor lighting can add warmth, drama, and magic to your garden as the sun goes down. There’s lots of options you could try;

Solar-powered stake lights to illuminate pathways and borders.
String lights or festoon bulbs for a soft, romantic glow over patios, fences or pergolas.
Wall-mounted or free-standing lanterns bring cosy warmth to patios and porches.
Spotlights or uplighters will highlight trees, water features, or textured walls for year-round effect.

We stock a wide range of outdoor lighting options, from energy-saving solar designs to elegant mains-powered fixtures — and we’re happy to advise on what will work best for your layout and needs.

Outdoor Heating Extends the Season

Let’s face it — an Irish summer evening can still call for a warm jumper. With the right outdoor heating, you can enjoy your garden well into the night (and into the autumn too).

Chimineas or fire pits for rustic warmth and glowing ambience.
Patio heaters, perfect for covered terraces or outdoor dining areas.
Portable gas heaters, ideal for moving into storage when the weather turns.
Tabletop heaters or compact models, perfect for smaller spaces.

Our experts have chosen the safest, most efficient heating solutions for your space, and will be happy to help you choose a heating solution that suits your garden’s size and layout.

Planting with Purpose: Trees, Pots & Seasonal Bedding

Plants are the soul of your garden, adding movement, colour, and seasonal interest. Layer your planting by combining trees, shrubs, perennials and pots for year-round appeal.

Consider:

Architectural trees like Japanese maples or olive trees will add structure and height.
Use hardy shrubs and trees like hydrangeas, bay trees or ornamental grasses to anchor your garden year-round.
Add potted plants on patios or balconies. Container gardening is ideal for smaller spaces or paved areas and they’re easy to move around — a cluster of planters can be every bit as impactful as a flower bed.
Climbers like clematis, honeysuckle or jasmine will add vertical interest and colour (and scent) for fences and pergolas.
For a splash of vibrancy, add seasonal colour with bedding plants mixed with herbs.

Hard Landscaping & Patios: The Foundation of Garden Design

A beautifully designed garden starts from the ground up. Paths, patios, fences and retaining walls provide structure and functionality. Whether you prefer sleek porcelain paving, rustic sandstone, gravel, or decking, we can help you find the right materials to define your space.

Don’t forget garden edging, trellis, raised beds, and decorative stone — these small details bring a polished, professional finish to any garden design.

Accessorize to Elevate

From bold parasols and outdoor rugs to lanterns, bird baths, insect houses, water features, and wind chimes — accessories are the icing on the cake. They help soften hard surfaces, invite wildlife, and make your space feel lived-in and loved.

Add decorative mirrors to make patios feel bigger,
Hang wall art or shelving on fences to break up blank spaces.
Use decorative screens for privacy or as a backdrop to plants.
Outdoor cushions and rugs made with weather-resistant fabrics.
Canopies, pergolas or parasols to provide shelter from both sun and showers.

We curate a wide variety of garden accessories to help you add the finishing touches to your space with flair.

Protection from the Elements

Outdoor storage like cushion boxes are the ideal option to keep your throws and soft furnishings dry during showers – and will double up as extra seating with a few strategically placed colourful cushions during sunny spells! Check out our extensive range of garden furniture protective covers also – a must-have for every Irish garden.

Trust the Garden Decor Experts

Whether you're starting with a blank slate or looking to refresh a tired corner, our team is here to help you design, decorate and enjoy your garden all year round.

With a wide selection of garden furniture, lighting, heating, planting, trees, hard landscaping materials, patios and accessories, we’ve got everything you need to turn your garden into something truly special. And with expert advice available in-store and online, you can be confident your outdoor space is in safe hands.