Transform Your Outdoor Living Space with Patterned Textiles This Summer
As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to climb, it’s time to start getting your garden or patio ready for summer. With the sunshine comes an irresistible urge to be outdoors – barefoot on the grass with a drink in hand, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Just like our indoor rooms, our outdoor spaces should feel welcoming and full of personality; and one of the best ways to transform your outdoor haven is with some thoughtful textiles. In today’s blog, we share some expert outdoor decor ideas with fabric and explain how our outdoor fabrics for furniture can help to turn your garden into a well-loved and lived-in space.
Think of your garden as an outdoor room
During the summer months, your garden becomes a natural gathering space for family and friends to enjoy. Treat it like a true extension of your home by defining separate zones for lounging, dining, and entertainment. A waterproof rug or mat lays the foundation for each area and makes it feel instantly intentional. From there, it’s all about those thoughtful, joyful touches that make it feel like home.
Here are a few of our favourite ways to create the perfect outdoor living space this summer:
Outdoor decor ideas with fabric
Handmade bunting
Bunting is a wonderfully cheerful way to brighten up any garden or balcony. Our patchwork boxes are ideal for crafting your own colourful, festive bunting for summer birthdays, garden gatherings, or just because!
Cosy scatter cushions
Create your own collection of mix-and-match cushions using our durable patterned fabrics. They’re perfect for adding a pop of colour to your outdoor sofas, benches, or deck chairs. We recommend choosing some cheerful fabrics to echo the joy of the season – more on that below…
Floor cushions
Picnic in comfort with some oversized floor cushions made in your favourite summer fabrics. They’re great for kids to sprawl on, and for grown-ups to enjoy an evening drink as the sun goes down. Make your own cosy floor cushions by pairing two of your favourite fabrics (one for each side), and add handles or ties for easy storage.
Sunshade panels and drapes
Light cottons and linens in your go-to print make for some beautiful and functional shady spaces. Drape a length of fabric over a pergola or spring between poles for an elegant solution to the midsummer heat.
Alfresco dining details
Cooking and eating outdoors is one of the best things about summer. So, why not take your alfresco meals to the next level by stitching a table runner or set of napkins in coordinating fabrics? Mixing checks and florals gives the perfect relaxed summer look.
Need some more ideas? Read our blog post on using fabrics in outdoor spaces for further inspiration.
Our best textiles for outdoor living
Summer fabrics should be durable and breathable, as well as bringing visual interest to your outdoor space. Our collection of outdoor fabrics for furniture are both stylish and practical, helping to brighten up your garden during the warmer months. Here are some of our favourite patterns for summer:
Nature-inspired prints
Bring the beauty of the great outdoors into your pergola drape with our Life & Eternity print, which features a charming paisley motif inspired by traditional Indian block printing. Pair this with some scatter cushions in our Sunflower design for a bold, joyful nod to one of England’s favourite flowers.
Scandinavian-inspired weaves
Embrace the light and simplicity of Nordic design with our Scandi Stripe fabric. It features alternative wide and narrow stripes in calming, earthy tones, making it ideal for a relaxed garden picnic blanket. Accompany this with some floor cushions in Malmo to bring a pop of bright orange colour to your picnic setup.
Playful dots and checks
Dots and checks are firm favourites of British fabric design. Our Dotty Check and Pretty Maid designs are perfect for napkins or table runners, helping to bring character and charm to your alfresco setup. They also pair beautifully with floral or plain fabrics for a polished yet playful finish.
Craft your own outdoor living accessories this summer
Our outdoor fabrics are ideal for sewing, stitching, and shaping into something beautiful; just in time for the summer season. From breathable cottons to linen unions that last, you can feel confident that your creations will endure summer after summer.
Browse our range of durable outdoor fabrics and get ready to breathe new life into your outdoor space.
We sell fabrics exclusively designed by Vanessa Arbuthnott, along side small, bespoke collection of Made to Measure items which includes curtains, blinds, sofas, footstools, chairs, headboards, and quilts, all handmade specially for you by master crafts people.
