10 Tips on How to Make Your Garden More Inviting This Summer

Refresh your garden ahead of summer and learn how to make your garden inviting with WM James’ top 10 tips! Product recommendations and how-tos included!

There’s nothing quite like a garden in full summer bloom — but is yours somewhere you actually want to spend time? Whether you’ve got a cosy courtyard, a spacious lawn or something in between, we have some fantastic ideas on how to make your garden inviting ahead of summer.

Sprucing up your garden doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can turn your outdoor space into a relaxing retreat, a social hub, or your own little slice of paradise.

Before BBQ and garden party season gets underway, we've got 10 tips to help you create a garden that feels welcoming, stylish, and ready for sunshine. Here’s what we’ve come up with:

1. Spruce up your seating options
2. Incorporate raised or tiered planters
3. Encourage more wildlife by using bird tables and planting flowers
4. Zone and section your garden
5. Create visual interest with a focal point
6. Use outdoor lights, like garden fairy lights, lanterns, or solar-powered lights
7. Plant summer-blooming flowers
8. Cleverly utilise small spaces for hanging plants or garden decor
9. Be ready for rain with a canopy or gazebo!
10. Get creative with upcycling old gardening products

Before we get into it, below are some of our recommended products to help you transform your garden. We'll tell you exactly how to use them below, but add them to your basket now and enjoy free delivery*!

Tip 1) Spruce Up Your Garden Seating

Adding seating makes your garden more inviting because it signals comfort and rest. Plus, your party guests need somewhere to socialise!

Seating also helps shape the layout of the garden, creating cosy corners, focal points, or functional zones (e.g. reading nook, coffee spot, entertaining area). We'll talk more about zoning later, but for now, seating is a great way to do it.

Well-chosen furniture can reflect personal style, add colour or texture, and complement the natural environment. It’s a must.

Let's Talk About Wooden Seating…

Wooden furniture is often the go-to for gardens because it blends in with the natural surroundings. Plus, there are many styles to choose from, whether you prefer a rustic look or something more modern and sleek.

You can also find cushions for wooden furniture if you're worried about getting a numb bottom!

If you're looking for wooden seating, check out our wooden garden benches, arbours, and gazebos. Each one adds individual charm to an outdoor space.

Find them below!

Tip 2) Incorporate Raised or Tiered Planters

Raised or tiered planters (with plants in them, of course!) can add structure, depth, and visual interest to an outdoor space and make it appear higher and, therefore, larger.

Plus, they're a great way to make gardening more accessible if you struggle to bend down to flower beds or reach high up to trellises.

The more raised planters you add to your space and the more diverse plants you include, the more colourful your garden will be, making the space seem brighter and more endearing.

If you think you'd like to try raised or tiered planters to make your garden seem more inviting, check out our selection below, along with some tools for getting you started!

Tip 3) Encourage More Wildlife With Plants & Bird Tables

Now, we're not talking about every animal marching in two by two; you and your neighbours won't appreciate that. But we are talking about inviting birds, pollinators, and other helpful critters into your garden.

Birds can add a lovely soundtrack to your space (especially during summer), while pollinators like bees and butterflies help keep your plants healthy. This results in a fresh, cared-for garden your guests will love.

How to Encourage Wildlife

Read Our Guide on Attracting More Birds to Your Garden

To encourage wildlife, you can plant native flowers and shrubs that provide food and shelter for animals.

You can also add bird tables, bird baths, and bee hotels to attract different types of creatures.

However, it's important to note that some wildlife may not be welcome in your garden. For example, foxes can damage plants, and rabbits may eat your vegetables.

To prevent these animals from wreaking havoc, you can use natural deterrents, like planting strong-smelling herbs, or installing some protective netting.

Our Tips on How to Keep Foxes out of Your Garden

We have plenty of netting options here at WM James, too, ones that won't stick out like a sore thumb! Check out our options below.

Tip 4) Consider Zoning & Sectioning Your Garden

Zoning your garden can help you create distinct areas for different purposes, ensuring your outdoor space is both functional and beautiful.

For example, you might designate one zone for growing vegetables and herbs, another for flowers, and a separate section for relaxing or hosting.

By carefully planning these zones, you can make the most of your garden's layout and create a more interesting environment.

Consider incorporating paths or dividers, such as hedges or trellises, to clearly define each area.

Tip 5) Create Visual Interest with a Focal Point

A focal point can instantly set the atmosphere of your garden, making it either peaceful, elegant, social, or all three.

It also helps organise the layout, anchoring the design so the rest of the garden can flow around it, especially in open or awkwardly shaped spaces.

Even when plants fade with the seasons, a strong focal point keeps the garden looking interesting and cared for all year round.

What to Use as a Focal Point…

There are tons of things you can use as a focal point for your garden. Whether your budget is hefty or you don't have much to spare, you can find a focal point that works for you.

Here are some examples:

Tip 6) Use Outdoor Lights for Ambience

Lighting can really set the mood of an outdoor space, so while you're upgrading your garden for summer, you should consider providing some for when the nights draw in.

A really popular lighting option is fairy lights. These can be strung up between trees or wrapped around a trellis for a soft and romantic effect.

If you have a pergola or arbour, you could also consider adding some hanging lanterns for a warm and inviting ambience.

Solar-powered lights are another great option, as they require no electrical wiring and are eco-friendly. You can find solar-powered fairy lights, stake lights, and even floating hot tub lights to add some extra charm to your outdoor space.

Plus, you don't want your BBQ party to be in total darkness by 10 pm.

Tip 7) Plant Summer-Blooming Flowers

Adding summer-blooming flowers to your garden is a wonderful way to bring vibrant colour and life to your outdoor space.

Consider flowers like petunias, marigolds, and geraniums, which thrive in the warmer months and provide a continuous burst of colour.

If you want a more structured look, you can arrange your flowers in borders or dedicate specific areas for flower beds. Hanging baskets are also an excellent choice.

If you want to add something a little grander, you could consider planting climbing plants over a garden arch. Roses and wisteria work particularly well for this.

Archways make a stunning addition to any garden space, so browse our options below and find your favourite!

Tip 8) Cleverly Utilise Small Spaces for Hanging Decor

We're not talking about small gardens in general. We're talking about those small areas of dead space that don't add any value to your garden, but could provide some added warmth and character if used properly.

For example, if you have an unused wall or fence, you could add a hanging herb garden. This will not only look beautiful, but also provide a delicious scent and a never-ending supply of herbs to cook with.

You could also take this same initiative and use a hanging planter for flowers. This is especially useful if you don't have much ground space in your garden.

Another way to use up small space is by hanging a garden mirror. Garden mirrors are a great form of decoration and can make small spaces seem larger by reflecting the light.

Tip 9) Be Ready for Rain With a Canopy or Gazebo!

UK summers are notoriously unpredictable, and even though every year we expect and hope for full sunshine, more often than not, we're met with grey clouds and drizzle.

But your garden party has been booked in for weeks, and you can't let everyone down now, so you need to prepare for the eventuality of rain.

A great way to do this is by installing a canopy, like the popular Rowlinson St Tropez Wall Mounted Sun Canopy.

Shop the St Tropez Sun Canopy

Not only will this structure protect your patio and dining area from drizzle, it'll also give you much-needed shade when the UK's sticky heat becomes unbearable (we can't win!).

Or, you could get yourself a permanent gazebo.

These structures provide elegance and rustic charm to an outdoor space, giving you an undercover area to enjoy your garden no matter the weather.

Check out our undercover garden structures below!

Tip 10) Get Creative With Upcycling Old Gardening Products

Wooden garden accessories are extremely sought after for their durability, sustainability, and simple rustic charm.

However, they can be quite pricey, and if your garden budget is on the lower side, they may not be the best investment.

That's why we recommend re-purposing old gardening tools and products into something you truly love.

For example, you could use an old wooden ladder as a small herb garden or turn some old palettes into a seating area.

They don’t just have to be wooden gardening tools, either. If you have an old watering can, you can turn it into a sweet flower pot, or even an old rake into a wind chime if you add some beads.

The options are endless, and they'll add uniqueness and personality to your outdoor space.

Preparing for Your Summer Garden Refresh…

And there you have it! With these 10 tips, your garden will be ready to welcome you and your guests for a beautiful and inviting summer.

Your garden will be the first choice for BBQs, parties, and summer lounging!

Remember to have fun and get creative with your garden design, incorporating elements that reflect your personal style and taste.

And most importantly, don't forget to take a step back every once in a while and appreciate the beauty you've created right in your own back garden!

*Free UK delivery is available on orders over £100!

FAQs