How to design a garden to make the most of your summer

The time of year is coming when the urge to open the windows, move everything outside and start living in the open air again becomes irresistible.

It’s the perfect opportunity to take a moment and ask yourself: 

is my outdoor space really what I want it to be? 

With a little care and the right choices, your garden can turn into the place where you spend most of your free time.

In this guide, we’ll take you through it step by step, from analysing the space to choosing the furniture, with some practical tips to ensure nothing is left to chance.

Space analysis: the starting point

Before buying anything – be it a sofa, a plant or a lamp – it’s worth taking a few minutes to work out what kind of space you’re dealing with. 

A well-planned outdoor space works better and lasts longer.

Measurements

Measuring might seem obvious, yet it’s the step that’s most often skipped. 

Calculating the available floor space is essential: not only to work out how much furniture will fit, but also to decide how to divide up the different areas. 

A good starting point is to think in terms of separate zones: one for eating, one for relaxing, and perhaps one for children or plants. 

Even in small gardens, this division helps to avoid overcrowding the space and keeps it feeling airy.

Sun exposure

The orientation of the space – north, south, east or west – makes all the difference. A south-facing garden in full sun requires strategic shading and heat-resistant materials. A north-facing one, on the other hand, benefits from warm colours and finishes that make the most of indirect light.

Exposure also influences the choice of plants, fabrics and even cushion colours: some shades fade quickly in intense sunlight, whilst others hold up very well.

Irrigation

If you plan to include greenery, now is the time to think about how it will be watered. A drip irrigation system, even a simple one, makes a huge difference in summer, both in terms of time and water consumption. 

Planning this before laying the paving or arranging the pots is much easier than adding it later.

Flooring: the basis of everything

The floor is the first thing you see and the last thing you think about. Yet it is the visual and functional foundation of the entire space.

There are many options: porcelain stoneware, composite wood, natural stone, gravel… Each has its pros and cons in terms of underfoot warmth, maintenance, slip resistance and aesthetic appeal. 

A general rule is to avoid surfaces that retain too much heat during the middle of the day and to opt for materials with good permeability to rainwater.

Colour matters too: a light-coloured floor reflects light and makes the space appear larger, whilst a dark one absorbs heat but gives a sense of depth and sophistication. 

The choice depends largely on the exposure and the overall style you wish to achieve.

Evening lighting: when a space takes on a new look

An outdoor space that works well during the day but goes dark at sunset is a missed opportunity. 

Evening lighting completely transforms the atmosphere of a terrace or garden and does not necessarily require a large investment.

The best approach is to layer the lighting across several levels: perimeter lighting (with ground-mounted LEDs or along the edges), ambient lighting (such as floor lamps or wall sconces) and a few warmer, decorative light sources for tables or relaxation areas.

Quality outdoor lamps are not mere accessories: they are design pieces that illuminate with their unique shapes and stand out even in daylight. It is worth choosing them with the same care you would use when selecting a piece of furniture.

Greenery: the element that transforms everything

Plants are not merely decorative: they are a structural element of the outdoor space. Shade, privacy, scents, seasonal colours… it all comes down to choosing the right plants.

Here are some practical tips:

• Evergreen shrubs (boxwood, pittosporum, lavender): excellent for creating stable volumes and defining areas without the need for intensive maintenance;
• Climbing plants (jasmine, wisteria, roses): perfect for covering fences, pergolas or walls, and they fill the whole area with fragrance;
• Aromatic plants (rosemary, sage, mint): they combine decorative and practical functions, and add a delightful touch to a dining area;
• Shade trees: if space allows, a well-placed tree is worth more than any awning – and over time becomes the visual focal point of the entire garden.

The combination of greenery and furniture is one of the most underrated aspects of outdoor design: the colours of the cushions, the materials of the furniture and the shades of the plants all interact with one another, and when done well, the result is a space that always looks tidy without any effort.

Swimming pools and water features

Water has an immediate evocative power: it is refreshing, visually appealing and soothing to the ear. You don’t necessarily need an Olympic-sized swimming pool to bring this element into your outdoor space.

A wall-mounted fountain, a small ornamental pond, a tub nestled in a relaxation corner: even modest solutions can completely transform the perception of space, create a sense of cooler temperatures and provide a pleasant background sound that shields you from outside noise.

For those who have the space and the opportunity to install a swimming pool, the surrounding area deserves the same attention as the pool itself. Non-slip paving, well-positioned shaded areas, a relaxation corner with a chaise longue or a swing: the poolside can become one of the most beautiful spots in the home.

Furniture and rain covers: comfort that lasts

At this stage of the design process, it’s all about choosing the right furniture. And the key word is: durability.

Quality outdoor furniture isn’t just attractive at the time of purchase; it’s designed to withstand the sun, rain and daily use, season after season. 

Materials matter, manufacturing processes matter, and timeless design matters perhaps more than anything else: a piece of furniture that goes out of fashion quickly is an investment that doesn’t pay off.

Our collections – Belvedere, Scala, Nassa, Flo – are created with this precise idea in mind: pieces with a strong visual identity, capable of weathering the seasons and trends without looking dated. 

From the chaise longue to the dining table, from the armchair to the modular sofa, every product is designed to transform an outdoor space into a place you’ll want to return to every day.

Raincovers: protecting your investment

An often overlooked but important aspect: protective covers. Even the most durable products benefit from protection during periods of disuse or in the event of sudden bad weather.

Our raincovers are specially designed to ensure that colours and materials remain as good as new over time. A small gesture of care that extends the life of your furniture.

In conclusion

A truly beautiful outdoor space isn’t the result of a single choice, but of many small decisions that all work together. 

The layout that defines the different areas, the aspect that dictates the choice of materials, the plants that complement the colours of the furniture, and the evening light that brings the day to a perfect close.

If you’d like to discuss your project or need some advice for your specific space, we’re here to help.

Discover our collections and download our catalogue