Tips for Great Outdoor Living this Summer

Adding cushions to outdoor chairs is a great way to make your outdoor dining furniture more comfortable, advised the John Lewis outdoor living buyer, Nicola Gidlow. Being comfortable encourages guests to stay out around the table. Adding a parasol or gazebo will keep any summer rain and the worst of the summer heat at bay. Gidlow advised readers to opt for colour this season. A bright tablecloth is a simple way to achieve it, as are colourful chair covers.

Keep the mood relaxed by adding extra seats, or spread some picnic rugs on the ground if you're expecting a larger crowd. Citronella candles will usually keep wasps and insects at bay. Lighting keeps the summer mood going into the evening. Stick-in-the-ground lights do away with the need for power sockets and cords, which can be a hazard to guests in the dark. Battery operated candles banish the dilemma of dripping wax, and they don't have to wage battle with the wind. Gidlow even suggested that building a firepit is a great option, as it not only adds light but also keeps everyone warm as nights cool.

Source: Metro