Spring is here, with summer hot on its heels. With the changing seasons comes our chance to throw open the doors and finally go outside.
But after you’ve power-washed the patio and brought out the barbecue, how do you style your outdoor space for 2026? No longer will a cheap-and-cheerful bistro set, a chintzy beach umbrella (shudder) and a couple of colourful planters do.
With temperatures heating up in Britain, the terrace has evolved to become a fully-fledged outdoor living space. Not only is it somewhere to relax and kick back when the sun shines, but it’s a spot for gathering with friends and family, and somewhere for self-expression that reflects our personal style.
Gardens: The fifth room
“We now view the garden not merely as an outdoor space, but as the essential ‘fifth room’ of the British home as we increasingly seek sanctuary and a seamless transition between the two,” explains Lisa Rutherford, head of home furnishings buying at John Lewis.
“Homeowners are no longer content with seasonal furniture, but are instead seeking investment pieces that offer year-round utility and the same level of comfort as an indoor living space. There has been a surge in interest for modular systems that allow for a fluid reconfiguration of the space, whilst climate-resilient materials like aluminium are making a long-overdue comeback.”
As for colour palettes, Rutherford reveals: “While neutral foundations remain popular, our customers are increasingly gravitating toward a more expressive palette of burnt orange, golden olive and deep ochre, proving that the great outdoors is the perfect place for confident, personality-led design.”
Why you can trust me
I’ve been an interiors and lifestyle journalist for more than a decade and regularly write for The London Standard, Sunday Times Style, HTSI, and more, plus glossies like House Beautiful, Country Living, Livingetc, amongst others. I don’t just report on decor trends, but shape them with influential stories that inspire how people design their homes.
Beyond editorial, I’m also a brand editor and consultant who’s created content for major brands like Heal’s, Atkin & Thyme, OKA, The White Company, Dulux, plus others.
For the second year running, I’m a judge at the ufurnish.com Home Awards, which recognises people who create and share their interiors and designs.
Hailing from a family in the furniture industry, I’m currently undergoing my second house renovation. My interiors mantra? “Your home should feel like a holiday.”
Below, I’ve rounded up the hottest trends for the season ahead and the outdoor furniture to help you get the look.
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Curved and sculptural designs
“Curved and sculptural outdoor furniture has been increasing in popularity and continues to grow as homeowners look to create garden spaces that feel softer and more relaxed,” explains Jonny Brierley, managing director of Numa, the outdoor furniture business.
“Rounded silhouettes naturally encourage conversation and help spaces feel more welcoming, especially in outdoor settings where the goal is often to unwind and spend time with loved ones.
We’re seeing an increasing preference for pieces with gentle curves because they bring a sense of fluidity and movement to a garden while still maintaining a clean and contemporary look. They also complement the natural, flowing shapes of plants and trees, making the space feel more organic and considered.”
Soho Home Gaspard Outdoor Sofa
Indoor or outdoor sofa? Honestly, the Gaspard from Soho Home could be either. The olive-green stainless-steel frame wraps around generous bolster cushions and extra-deep seats upholstered in a woven cream fabric to create a sweeping, sculptural silhouette. An al fresco embrace, if you will.
Buy now £5995.00, Soho Home
John Lewis Lozenge 5-Seater Modular Curved Garden Sofa & Coffee Table Set
The clue’s in the name with this one. With a lozenge shape that embraces the coffee table, the curved outdoor sofa from John Lewis is as comfortable as it is stylish. The organic form of both pieces softens the design to create an aesthetic that’s both warm and welcoming.
Buy now £1499.00, John Lewis
Casaria Sun Lounger Wooden Ergonomic FSC-Certified Acacia Wood Rocking Deck Chair
This contemporary-cool meets natural-chic sun lounger has a sculptural design for ultimate comfort, whether you’re reading your favourite book or having an afternoon snooze. The organic look of the slatted acacia wood top complements the curved base, and its all naturally moisture-resistant and scratch-resistant. Lounging never looked so stylish.
Buy now £95.95, ManoMano
King Living 1977 Outdoor Sofa
From Australian brand King Living is the relaxed and curvaceous 1977 outdoor sofa. The modular design features a sculptural form made from lightweight aluminium that can be easily configured to suit your taste and space. Better still, the removable covers make for easy cleaning.
Buy now £2347.00, King Living
Modular configurations
“Modular sofas are popular because they offer the flexibility to change your seating layout whenever needed,” says Lisa Rutherford at John Lewis.
“This trend is growing in outdoor furniture as more people treat their gardens like an extra room that must work for both quiet relaxing and social gatherings. You can keep the sections together to create a large daybed for lounging or pull them apart to create individual chairs for a more convivial feel.
Some designs use curved segments that can be pushed together for a sculptural look or separated into smaller pods to encourage private conversation in different areas of the garden. When shopping for these styles, it’s best to think of the furniture as a versatile system that can be reshuffled to suit a big party just as easily as a quiet afternoon in the sun.”
She adds: “Choosing high-quality, durable materials ensures that these adaptable sets can handle being moved around a lot and will stay looking good for years to come.”
Neptune Pembrey Modular Teak Garden Sofa
Combining a modular style with a micro trend – weather-resistant teak – Neptune’s Pembrey is on point for 2026. Simple but stylish, the individual pieces are sold separately to enable you to create a size and shape to suit your terrace, while everything comes in with removable weather-resistant cushions.
Buy now £1420.00, Neptune
John Lewis Sahara 4-Seater Modular Corner Garden Lounge Set
Offering plenty of bang for your buck, the Sahara from John Lewis accommodates up to four of your nearest and dearest more than comfortably. Including two chaise-style double seats with armrests on one side, it can be configured to suit your exact needs, while its slimline design means it’s great for small or awkward spaces.
Buy now £1499.00, John Lewis
RH Brera Teak L-Sectional
Inspired by the winding streets of Milan’s design district, Brera from American brand RH balances sculptural and architectural elements. It combines a solid teak frame with all-weather rope and thick cushions in sectional components that can also be bought individually to create the outdoor sofa of dreams.
Buy now £21375.00, RH
Indoor-inspired upholstery
David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin, the luxury British homeware brand, says: “Look for outdoor cushions that complement your interior style for a seamless indoor-outdoor feel. Trending now are colourful tickings, herringbones and bold primaries like red, blue and yellow – perfect for adding energy and that Mediterranean feel to gardens and outdoor spaces.
Just as important as looks, opt for high-performance fabrics that are quick-drying and resistant to stains, mould and mildew, so your cushions stay fresh and stylish for years to come.”
Soho Home Morrell Outdoor Dining Chair
This tub-shaped chair wouldn’t look out of place in your dining room. Soho Home’s Morrell is fully upholstered in a geometric pattern with a maroon colourway and features cut-out legs and an angular back.
Buy now £1495.00, Soho Home
John Lewis Macy Sling Garden Chair
Combining two trends in one – stylish but practical upholstery and outdoor accent chairs – is this ray of sunshine. The all-weather fabric seat and backrest in golden olive provides comfortable support bolstered by plump cushioning. Sure to inject your garden with plenty of personality.
Buy now £149.00, John Lewis
Farm Rio x Anthropologie Cotton Printed Tassel Outdoor Cushion
Sometimes, all you need to perk up existing garden furniture is a good cushion. Farm RIO's collab with Anthropologie delivers with a signature bold print complete with tassels that brings a welcome dose of maximalism into your outside space — Abha Shah
Buy now £40.00, Anthropologie
Ruggable Laguna Natural Multicolour Outdoor Rug
Much is made of bringing the outdoors in, but the same can be said for taking the indoors out. A bright weather-resistant rug can work wonders anchoring your outdoor dining set, or covering tired patio slabs. Ruggable has a great selection to choose from, like this Laguna print — Abha Shah
Buy now £299.00, Ruggable
Danetti Camilo Natural Garden Dining Chair
Danetti’s Camilo dining chair brings indoor comfort to outdoor spaces with its sculptural design and generous cushioning. With its frame wrapped in a weather-resistant natural weave fabric, the textured chair is comfortable enough to linger in long after another al fresco dinner is done.
Buy now £279.00, Danetti
Laura James Saffron White Acacia Occasional Garden Chair
Add character and fun to your outdoor space with this occasional chair from Laura James. Its acacia wood frame is wrapped in woven rope featuring a geometric paprika-and-beige pattern – sure to make a splash.
Buy now £129.99, Laura James
Aluminium styles
Michael Scott, founder of Lazy Susan Furniture, explains: “Aluminium garden furniture is a top trend for 2026 because it perfectly matches this year’s focus on durability, low maintenance and sustainability. As gardens are increasingly treated as year-round outdoor rooms, homeowners are moving away from ‘fast-fashion’ furniture in favour of high-quality materials that can withstand unpredictable weather, without rusting or warping.”
Heal’s Case EOS Outdoor Rectangular Dining Table
Designed by Matthew Hilton for Case via Heal’s — do keep up — the EOS outdoor dining table is crafted from rust-resistant powder-coated aluminium and combines a modern look with a lightweight structure. Sure to help you get the designer edge.
Buy now £685.00, Heal’s
Neptune Cheltenham 2 Seater Metal Garden Bench
Whether for your morning coffee or evening sundowner, everyone needs a garden bench, and the metal Cheltenham from Neptune in a matt grey finish is just the ticket. Now all that’s left to do is find a suntrap.
Buy now £895.00, Neptune
Atkin & Thyme Emilia Sunlounger
Thoroughly modern and visually lightweight, Atkin & Thyme’s Emilia sunlounger will make for a striking addition to your patio or a terrace, and is perfect for lounging on and catching some rays this summer. The powder-coated aluminium frame has a wood-inspired slatted effect that adds rustic charm. Just add rosé.
Buy now £539.00, Atkin & Thyme
Lazy Susan June 6 Seater Oval Garden Table with 6 April Chairs
A bestseller for a reason, the June set from Lazy Susan — my favourite garden furniture brand — is beautifully crafted in cast aluminium and features an oval dining table with an intricate lattice top and classic double-helix border. Six comfortable April chairs are provided to create the perfect spot for summer gatherings. I have one just like this taking pride of place on my terrace.
Buy now £1235.95, Amazon
Birdie Fortescue Curato Garden Sofa
Handcrafted from durable aluminium to look like antique rattan, the Curato garden sofa from Birdie Fortescue combines the best of both words. Fully weatherproof, it features a slender frame that’s lightweight enough to move around your garden or terrace. So chic.
Buy now £1135.00, Birdie Fortescue
Compact furniture
“For city and town homes, even the smallest outdoor space has the capacity to become an extension of how we live, relax and entertain,” says Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography and film at Cox & Cox.
“Balconies and terraces are becoming more valuable, driving a shift towards compact outdoor furniture that works hard without compromising on style. This new generation of pieces is lighter and often multifunctional. We are seeing more slimline silhouettes that create a sense of retreat rather than clutter.
And increasingly, it’s about editing rather than filling spaces, placing the emphasis on comfort and a feeling of escape.”
Castlery Sorrento Garden Bistro Dining Set
Having landed in the UK last year, Singaporean brand Castlery has expanded its collection to include outdoor furniture. My pick is the Sorrento garden bistro dining set – including two stackable chairs – which is compact enough for small patios or even balconies.
Buy now £759.00, Castlery
Cox & Cox Slim Hanging Chair
Hanging chairs were all the rage a couple of years ago, but you’re never too late to join the party. This design from Cox & Cox features all the character you’d expect with an egg-shaped design made from strong metal and faux rattan, albeit with slimline proportions. Perfect for tucking in a forgotten corner.
Buy now £350.00, Cox & Cox
Atkin & Thyme Savannah Bar Table and 2 Bar Stools
Whether serving up a barbecue or mixing and muddling cocktails, the Savannah bar table from Atkin & Thyme is the host with the most, although its compact design means it can slot into even the snuggest of corners.
Buy now £449.00, Atkin & Thyme
Habitat 60 Wyatt Rattan Chair - Blue
If you need any proof that electric blue adds something special to a garden, just look to Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech or Mexico City's Frida Kahlo Museum. Both incorporate swathes of the hue in their venues.
Bring some of that arty magic home with Habitat's rattan chair, offered in a can't-miss-it cobalt. With a wide seat, high back and armrests, it's the perfect perch to sit back and smell the roses. Made from 100 per cent rattan.
Buy now £40.00, Argos
Habitat Global Accent Chair and Footstool
Habitat has just curated a collection of outdoor designs for any space included compact styles. My pick is this dainty accent chair with matching footstool characterised by a curved frame in a rattan weave. It’s pure 70s vibes – but I’m into it.
Buy now £120.00, Habitat
20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights
Lighting is crucial in setting the tone for your evening summer festivities where these festival-worthy bulbs give you a warm white glow. They illuminate automatically with a built-in sensor and are powered through a solar panel. There are eight settings that include a flash, chase or static illumination.
Buy now £24.99, Lights4Fun
