Autumn Garden: Boy playing in leaves

Autumn Garden: Enjoying your garden as the seasons change

Summer’s long, light days may be coming to a close behind us, but that’s no reason to retreat indoors. To help you enjoy early autumn at its most glorious, we caught up with garden furniture expert Bramblecrest for some top tips on making the most of your outdoor space and transforming your autumn garden as the seasons change.

A dramatic eruption of red and gold, the arrival of autumn signals one of the most beautiful changes to our natural landscape and is one of the best times to enjoy life al fresco. Over the last few years, the commencement of this new season has also coincided with a warm and sun-drenched Indian summer, with balmy temperatures lasting well into mid-October. So, there’s no need to pack away your parasol or cover up your chairs just yet, instead continue to make the most of your garden and relish nature at its finest.

Choose all-weather furniture

So you can enjoy your garden throughout the year, make sure to choose outdoor furniture that is fully weatherproof. Traditional teak furniture has a high oil content making it impervious to wet weather. Whether you opt for something classic like the Kempton Dining Set or go for a more rustic design like the Kuta Table from our Vintage Teak collection, you can enjoy peace of mind that your furniture will never go out of style. A wood that only improves with age, all teak furniture can be left outside throughout all four seasons, ready for you to enjoy when blue skies and sunshine are the order of the day.

A furniture set made from synthetic wicker is another excellent option for year-round outdoor dining. Combining the natural aesthetics of traditional woven furniture with durable construction that can withstand rain, wind, frost and even harmful UV rays, a set like the Oakridge Casual Dining Set provides year around style and minimal hassle.

Keep cosy

Gorgeous autumnal sunsets can make way for slightly chillier evenings so ensure you and your family can wrap up cosily. A blanket box full of snug throws is a great way to take the edge off rapidly darkening evenings, and you can even accessorise your outdoor space by draping a favourite blanket or two over chairs in preparation for the evening ahead.

To make the area even more inviting add some plump cushions in autumnal shades to your seating area – perfect for complementing the vibrant natural colours of your garden.

Create ambience using lighting

As the evenings begin to get darker, create a cosy and ambient atmosphere using soft lighting. Warm, white fairy lights can be threaded around trees, through your parasol or across fences and left in situ all year around. Hurricane lanterns create a gorgeous centrepiece as the light fades or, for a more rustic look, try placing tea lights in old jam jars and dotting them around your garden for a soft, magical, twinkling scene.

Sit in style

Whether opting for a morning coffee or a late afternoon cuppa, an outdoor sofa is a perfect place to sit and enjoy an al-fresco caffeine hit. Choose a weatherproof design like the Cotswold 3 Seater Sofa and pick a sheltered spot where you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your gardening labours. Again, keep a cosy blanket close to hand and this tranquil space can double up as a quiet spot to unwind with a novel or even to enjoy the sunset with a relaxing evening drink.

Brighten your beds

If some of your early summer flowers have faded, plant a few pots with several vibrant autumn blooms to add some extra colour to your garden. Pansies offer an instant splash of colour and will continue blooming well throughout the autumn with hardier varieties able to flower all the way through to spring. A classic planter such as Bramblecrest’s Medium Teak Planter is perfect for housing your autumn brights, and as this season begins to fade, they can be easily re-planted with spring flowers.

For more garden inspiration follow Bramblecrest on Pinterest or to view the complete collection visit www.bramblecrest.com.