6 ways to make your garden Instagrammable this summer

It's time to give your garden a glow up

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Read our full commerce guidelines here.

Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer

Updated: August 6, 2024Aug 6, 2024, 2:12 PM GMT+1

As the weather finally heats up this summer, there's never been a better time to transform your outdoor space with some on-trend garden decor for a summer of soirees.

From patio heaters to outdoor rugs, garden lighting to tiki bar sets, there are currently over two million searches for the hashtag #gardeninspiration on Instagram. If you're looking for the perfect inspo for your Instagrammable outdoor spot, you've come to the right place.

instagrammable garden — Transform your garden into #goals with these handy tips

And it's not just Instagram trends picking up the pace with the garden inspo - Pinterest has noticed growth amongst budding gardeners and green thumbs alike, with minimalist gardens, small back garden ideas, and garden landscaping ideas generating more searches than ever before.

Thanks to the experts at Luxury Rattan, we now know the top trends for garden décor this spring so you can host your al fresco evenings in style - it’s time to bring the indoors, out!

1. Plant spring flowers

Giving your flower beds a bit of TLC is a fun and simple way to brighten up your outdoor space.

Garden shop

Although planting a few spring buds might not make your garden quite as Instagrammable as Amsterdam's tulip fields – you'll give your outdoor space a burst of colour that will be sure to stay in bloom all summer.

2. Experiment with a magic monochrome colour scheme

When it comes to painting, furniture and decor, it’s all about balancing those bright blooms with a neutral colour palette.

Incorporating monochromatic tones of white, grey and black into your garden is the second most popular garden trend, with 24% of the top images featuring a monochrome colour palette.

Ryan Schwarze, Head of Luxury Rattan advises: "Weaving a monochrome colour palette into your garden space is a great way to compliment any bright coloured plants or accessories as we head into the summer months. The monochromatic tones of white, grey and black are timeless too, ensuring that your furniture and accessories will never go out of style."

Monochrome garden furniture with cat in beautiful garden — It's all about balancing bright blooms with a neutral colour palette

3. Add festoon lights

No matter the size of your outdoor space, adding lighting to your garden helps to make any evening scene feel magical. To make the most of the long summer evenings, it’s time to string up all of the fairy and festoon lights and illuminate your weekend soirees.

Warm fairy lights on a cool evening will not only add a cosy, comforting feel to your outdoor space but also add a whimsical touch to your decor, creating that fairy garden vibe.

4. Create a space for socialising

It's time to update our socialising spaces and make them a real focal point of the garden, as fire pits and decking make the final top trend, featured in 14% of the top 200 snaps.

It’s clear that we’re hoping to spend much more time outside this spring and summer as we enjoy the warm weather and catch up with loved ones. A decking area complete with a fire pit ensures that you’re kept warm in the cooler evenings and you can toast some marshmallows too!

Interior of a real house in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, occupied by real people. — You can't have enough festoon lighting to set the perfect mood

5. Bring the indoors, out

Whether you have a spacious garden, a small patio or a balcony, an outdoor rug is a perfect addition to introduce some style. That’s right, the next trend is all about bringing the indoors, outdoors.

Transforming your garden into an outdoor haven complete with rugs, lamps and even furniture is the perfect way to make your social space even more inviting. Tribal patterns and geometric shapes make for a standout garden accessory.

6. Relax with rattan

Given that we can't yet lounge on a tropical island, or bask on a Balinese beach, it's no wonder the rattan garden furniture trend is back with a bang this spring, with Google searches for ‘rattan garden furniture’ increased by nearly 270k after lockdown.

If you’re looking to maximise your time outdoors this summer and make the most of staycation season, a luxury rattan dining set with an incorporated fire pit is the perfect option to ensure chillier evenings don't have to be cut short.

DISCOVER: 8 most beautiful royal gardens and how to visit them this summer

But if sunbathing outside with a book is more your thing, then a rattan lounger with a drinks table is the ultimate outdoor combination.

Woman relaxing in hammock in her garden, looking at smartphone — The perfect garden decor can be tailored to your interests

Garden styling tips from Interior Designer, Journalist and Home Stylist, Anouska Lancaster

Introduce playful colour: Outdoor spaces allow us to be braver and more experimental with colour and pattern. Go for uplifting colours like yellow, green or pink that will uplift your garden. If you're nervous about going too bold, introduce an accent colour with soft furnishings.

Create a low-level seating area with comfy seating: Extend your home by creating a room outside with comfy, informal seating for lounging. Use an outdoor rug to cover up a tired decking or anchor a sunny spot in the garden, and then build your new 'room' around it. Keep guests cool on a hot day with an outdoor fan such as the Shark FlexBreeze fan, which can be placed near your seating area.

Get that pub garden feeling at home: Why dine out when you can create pub grub in your outdoor space this summer? The Ninja outdoor products, such as the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker makes al fresco dining so easy, even for the most amateur chef like me.

Go big on tablescaping: Don't be scared to go large with your furniture and accessories, even in a small space. To go the extra mile, decorate the table with placemats, napkins, lanterns, and if possible, fresh flowers in various jugs. If you've chosen an accent colour for your summer garden, incorporate this in your table scaping.

Light up your space: Creative lighting can transform your garden and maximise its potential as an extra space to enjoy in the evening. I personally love the ambience created by festoon lights, they give off enough light to eat and drink but are subtle enough to create a warm and relaxing ambience.