Shopping inspiration for a patio bursting with colour
Garden designers talk a lot about colour palettes for foliage and flowers - but colourful garden furniture will bring an outdoor space to life year-round.
Outdoor furniture is traditionally delivered in subdued and neutral hues. So I've sieved through the bland to inspire you with a kaleidoscope of garden decor.
Even if you err towards the minimalist contemporary vibe, you'll find bold garden cushions you can turn to whenever you need the joy volume cranked up to 11.
Take a seat in the sunshine and browse my colour-filled outdoor furniture picks to brighten your garden, patio, or balcony.
Hot Reds & Orange
Image: a bean bag chair in shades of orange illuminates a dark patio corner and picks out the splashes of crimson geum blooms.
Hot reds and orange sit opposite blue-green on the colour wheel, so garden furniture in these vibrant hues looks incredible against a sea of foliage.
Full of energy, this outdoor decor will liven up a darker spot in your garden - you only need a few bursts of these powerful colours for significant impact.
1) Summer Stripe Orange and White Luxury Outdoor Cushions and Handwoven Lambswool Throw in Pumpkin (Armadillo Sun). 2) Recycled Outdoor Rug in Orange (Rockett St. George). 3) Ceramic Indoor/Outdoor Side Table (Anthropologie). 4) Etta Orange Bamboo Parasol (East London Parasol Company) 5) Luxury Outdoor Cushion in Medina Tropic (Armadillo Sun). 6) Spanish Terracotta Handpainted Planter (Andalucia Amor). 7) Pantone 17-1464 TCX (Red Orange), Pantone 16-1448 TCX (Burnt Orange), Pantone 16-1362 TCX (Vermillion Orange). Pantone 15-1157 (Flame Orange) 8) Weatherproof Garden Pouffe in Sigma Paprika fabric (Armadillo Sun). 9) Nomad Patara Rug (Weaver Green).
The Pinks
Pink flowers are a favourite in the garden, but pink patio furniture?!
Don't write it off as cutesy - pink can pack a punch!
10) Exterior paint colours: Arras 316 and Nether Red 315, sandwiching Olive Colour 72 (Little Greene Paint Company). 11) Whitney Pink Bamboo Parasol (East London Parasol Company). 12) Outdoor Filifera Palm Pink Rug (Ruggable). 13) Orange and Pink Garden Bean Bag Chair (Armadillo Sun). 14) Powder Pink Bistro Set (Tang and Co. Home). 15) Antique Pink Garden Bench (Black Country Metalworks). 16) Patio Umbrella - 70s Cinque (Business & Pleasure).
Deep Blue & Navy
Image: the beautiful blue balcony at the magical riad Maison Stella Cadente Marrakech.
A blue focal feature in a small outdoor space (whether a painted wall, a collection of pots in similar blue hues, or an azure blue bean bag chair) creates the impression of distance and space.
In a larger outdoor space, garden furniture in the colour blue - which is rarely seen in nature - stands out as a soothing stress-free escape.
17) Forget-Me-Not Recycled Metal Flowers (Angela Reed). 18) Palm Navy Outdoor Bean Bag Chair (Armadillo Sun). 19) Luxury Sun Lounger and Weatherproof Garden Pouffe (Armadillo Sun). 20) Tile Ceramic Side Table (Anthropologie). 21) Azure Blue Garden Bean Bag Chair (Armadillo Sun). 22) Heraldic Galahad Indoor Outdoor Rug (Weaver Green). 23) Luxury Outdoor Cushion Palm Navy / Designer Outdoor Cushion Waffle Marine / Premium Outdoor Waterproof Cushion Ocean Wave (Armadillo Sun). 24) Exterior paint colour: Smalt blue (Little Greene Company).
Sunny Yellow
25) Yellow Striped Retro Parasol (Sarah Raven). 26) Outdoor Side Table Honey Yellow (Fermob). 27) Exterior paint colour on planters: Mister David (Little Greene Paint Company) 28) Mosaic Round Table Yellow (Authentic Morrocan). 29) Metal Yellow Brimstone Butterfly (Chi-Africa).
Turquoise & Ocean Blue
Turquoise - greenish-blue - creates feelings of calm and serenity. Even small touches of turquoise change the atmosphere of an outdoor seating area.
Paired with its complementary colours of orange and yellow, turquoise is enlivened. Or, in a minimalist modern garden, it adds a serene point of colour.
30) Weatherproof Garden Pouffe Ocean Blue Palm Print (Armadillo Sun). 31) Ocean Blue Modular Garden Sofa (Armadillo Sun). 32) Verdigris Hanging Birdbath (London Garden Trading). 33) Luxury Garden Cushion Sigma Turquoise (Armadillo Sun) 34) Laurie Turquoise Blue Parasol (East London Parasol Company). 35) Lollygagger Bar Cart Sky Blue (Loll Designs). 36) Luxury Bean Bag Lounger Sigma Turquoise (Armadillo Sun).
Before you make your final buying decisions on bright, bold outdoor decor, make sure to read our guide to choosing a colour palette for your colourful garden furniture.