We are currently looking at a snow-dusted patio, and while that might feel a world away from summer garden gatherings (it is bloomin' freezing on the South coast at the mo), we think January is the right time to look ahead to Summer 26.
As we step into the new year, savvy homeowners and hosts across the UK are already planning how they’ll make the most of longer days, warmer evenings and the simple joy of bringing people together in their outside spaces.
In 2026, outdoor hosting trends for the team here at Lazy Susan are all about comfort, considered design and creating spaces that feel just as welcoming as the rooms inside our homes. Only with lots of fresh summer air and better sunsets!
For us, 2026 is the year when the garden becomes the heart of the home. Whether you’re dreaming of an elegant garden party, a relaxed outdoor BBQ with friends, or an al fresco family dinner that stretches late into the evening, this year it is all about thoughtful hosting on stylish garden tables that are built to last.
Outdoor hosting that starts with rethinking your outdoor space
The biggest shift in outdoor hosting for 2026 is how we think about our outdoor spaces. No longer are we treating them as an afterthought, the garden is increasingly planned with the same care as we would a room inside our homes.
According to Tuin’s 5 Garden Trends for 2026, gardens are now designed as a year-round extension of the home itself, with structure, shelter and functional "zones" that make hosting outdoors easier and more stylish.
This design-led approach encourages thoughtful layouts that balance dining areas, seating areas and relaxation zones, helping us to create patio and garden spaces where we can gather with friends and family and enjoy the summer.
Rather than one large, undefined lawn or patio, hosts are zoning-up their outdoor plots (big and small) into purposeful seating areas, dining areas and social corners. This approach creates a seamless transition from house to garden, making hosting outdoors feel natural, even when the British weather threatens us with a shower.
Lazy Magazine's Advice: Think like an interior designer. Consider flow, focal points and how guests move through your outside space, from morning coffee to an afternoon BBQ to evening seating as the sun sets.
Garden furniture is the foundation of outdoor hosting
When it comes to outdoor hosting trends, our garden furniture is no longer just a panic purchase when the weekend shows promise. It is central to both the function and visual appeal of our outdoor spaces. Durable, stylish pieces such as our cast aluminium dining tables are becoming the must have for anyone planning to entertain guests regularly.
Unlike other materials, cast aluminium combines durability, weather resistance and timeless style in a low-maintenance package that is perfectly suited to the ever-changing UK climate. A well-chosen dining set will become a natural focal point for your garden gathering, anchoring the space and giving guests somewhere to sit, eat, drink and catch up.
Why cast aluminium works for hosting outdoors:
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Weather Resilience
Lazy Susan's cast aluminium collection is designed to withstand sun, rain and changing temperatures without warping, rusting or fading. This makes it a great choice for the changeable UK climate, ensuring your outdoor furniture remains reliable and stylish throughout the summer hosting season. -
Versatile Style
Our range features our trademarl classical style meaning it is elegant enough for formal dinners yet relaxed enough for casual brunches. It adapts effortlessly to different occasions and the timeless design allows you to dress it up with refined place settings or keep things simple for everyday outdoor family dining. -
Effortless Styling
Cast aluminium tables and chairs are easy to style with soft cushions, candles and thoughtful table décor. This solid neautral base provides a canvas for outdoor styling elements, helping create a polished look that enhances the overall visual appeal of your patio. -
Long-Term Investment
Ideal for long-term planning, cast aluminium furniture supports year-after-year hosting without the need for frequent replacement or intensive maintanence. our durable powder-coated finish and classic design make it a smart investment for anyone looking to create a garden space built for entertaining now and in the future.
The perfect garden party: Seating options that invite guests to stay
A perfect garden party isn’t about squeezing everyone around one table, it’s about offering flexible seating options that encourage people to relax. One of the hottest outdoor hosting trends for 2026 is layering seating across your patio and the wider garden.
Alongside your main table and chairs, consider:
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Relaxed Benches
Garden benches placed near flower beds, walls or along pathways offer flexible, informal seating that’s easy to move and style. They’re ideal for pulling up as additional seating without overcrowding the main dining area, and they naturally encourage casual conversation during garden gatherings. -
Cosy Corners
Create cosy seating areas with a comfortable coffee table set-up, soft cushions and an outdoor rug to give guests somewhere to relax away from the table. These lounge-style spaces are perfect for post-dinner drinks or quieter moments, helping your outdoor party feel layered and thoughtfully designed. -
Casual Lounging
Picnic blankets introduce a relaxed, laid-back option for informal lounging, particularly in larger garden spaces. Spread across the lawn, throw down some outdoor cushions, they invite guests to sit back, stretch out and enjoy the sun, adding a playful and inclusive element to hosting outdoors. -
Social Spots
Low side tables placed near seating areas make it easy for guests to rest drinks, share plates or light candles. They support a natural flow between eating, chatting and relaxing, ensuring guests feel comfortable and catered for wherever they choose to sit.
By creating multiple seating areas, you will keep your guests comfortable and engaged, whether they want to sit and chat, eat or enjoy the sun as it sets.
Outdoor party styling: Creating an inviting atmosphere
Good styling is where outdoor hosting really comes into its own. In 2026, we think the emphasis has to be on creating an inviting atmosphere that feels warm, personal and effortless.
Our key outdoor hosting trends include:
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Overhead Lighting
String lights hung across patios, pergolas or between trees remains is still one of the most effective ways to transform our outdoor spaces. They add a soft, glow as the sun sets, helping to define entertaining areas, and instantly creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both relaxed and party-like. -
Candlelight
Candles and lanterns brings warmth and intimacy to outdoor hosting, particularly in the evening. Arranged along our patio tables, steps or pathways, they provide gentle illumination while enhancing the mood, making garden gatherings feel more personal and thoughtfully styled. Even through the day, candles can fill the garden with fragrance and keep bugs away. -
Comfy Layers
Soft seat cushions are essential for adding comfort, colour and texture to garden furniture. Whether placed on our chairs or benches, they help outdoor spaces feel just as welcoming as indoor rooms while allowing hosts to refresh their look easily from season to season. -
Zones
An outdoor rug is a simple yet effective way to visually define seating areas and anchor patio dining furniture in place. It helps separate dining and lounging zones, adds warmth underfoot, and brings the space together, especially when paired with 8+ seater sets for hosting larger groups.
As the sun sets, we think good but simple lighting becomes essential. Nobody wants to sit in the dark or head inside if the night is still warm. String lights and candles not only provide practical illumination but also transform your garden into a space that feels magical rather than functional.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, thoughtful lighting can extend garden use well into the evening, making outdoor gatherings more memorable and comfortable.
Hosting outdoors with food, flow and flexibility
Of course, good food remains at the heart of every successful garden party or outdoor gathering. But this year, good outdoor hosting should focus as much on how food is served as much as what’s on the menu.
Instead of relying solely on the indoor kitchen, hosts are creating outdoor kitchens and dining areas that allow food, drinks and conversation to flow naturally. A sturdy garden table, generous patio dining seats and space for sharing platters is the best way to encourage guests to serve themselves and linger longer.
Ideas for stress-free outdoor dining:
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Shared Serving
Use large serving boards and platters on our Lazy Susans to share dishes effortlessly, allowing guests to help themselves while keeping conversation flowing. This relaxed approach encourages interaction, reduces time spent serving, and keeps the focus on enjoying good food together. -
Easy Drinks
Keep drinks accessible by placing jugs, bottles or ice buckets on Side Tables throughout your outdoor space. This avoids queues around one area, allows guests to refresh their glasses freely, and helps the host stay part of the gathering rather than stuck inside. -
Secure Settings
Choose place settings that won’t blow away if the breeze picks up, such as weighted napkins, sturdy glassware and simple table décor. Not only does this prevent disruption, but it also keeps your table looking polished and inviting throughout the meal. -
Flexible Menus
Plan menus that work well at room temperature, so timing stays relaxed and stress-free. Dishes that can be prepared in advance and served outdoors allow you to spend more time with guests and less time worrying about rushing food from kitchen to garden table. Our fave easy meals to serve for garden dining article has some fab recipes and advice.
This approach allows hosts to relax, enjoy the party and create lasting memories with friends and family.
Al fresco evenings: When the sun sets but the party doesn’t
In the UK, summer evenings are precious. Outdoor hosting trends for 2026 are all about making the most of them. As the sun sets, warmth and shelter become key.
Popular patio additions include:
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Warmth
A fire pit provides both warmth and a natural focal point for gathering. They encourage guests to relax outside as temperatures drop. Positioned near seating areas, they add atmosphere, extend evenings outdoors and create a relaxed setting for laid back conversation when the sun sets. -
Cover
Sheltered patios, pergolas, or canopies offer valuable protection from unexpected rain or cooler breezes, ensuring your hosting plans stay on track. These structures also help define your outdoor space, making it feel more intentional and usable throughout the changing summer weather. If you don't want or can't fit a permenant structure, then our coordinating parasols and bases are a must have accessory. -
Comfort
Throw blankets draped over chairs or benches add an extra layer of comfort as the evening draws in. Easy to grab and effortlessly stylish, they will help guests stay warm and relaxed, allowing outdoor gatherings to continue well into the night.
These elements help keep your guests comfortable, ensuring the party doesn’t end or have to decamp inside just because the temperature dips.
Garden gathering zones: Designing for different moods
We think one of the most exciting outdoor hosting trends is the idea of mood-based zones.
Rather than one large party space, gardens are being divided into areas that support different types of interaction just like rooms inside the home:
|
Zone |
Purpose |
Key Furniture |
|
Dining Area |
Shared meals |
Table, chairs, dining set |
|
Lounge Area |
Relaxing & chatting |
Benches, armchairs, cushions |
|
Fire Pit Zone |
Evening warmth |
Circular seating, low tables |
|
Quiet Corner |
Intimate conversations |
Small table, chairs |
Of course, this is dependent on space. Those with smaller plots will have to get creative. However, this type of layout helps keep your guests engaged and comfortable, allowing them to move naturally through the space, wether it's a full garden party or just an informal catch-up for brunch.
Outdoor hosting trends that blur indoor and outdoor living
A major theme for 2026 is the seamless transition between our indoor and outdoor spaces. Large slifing doors, matching furniture styles, seamless styling, and coordinated colour palettes all help to blur the lines between home and garden.
By echoing interior design choices outdoors, such as neutral tones, textured fabrics and statement lighting, you can create continuity that feels intentional rather than seasonal. This approach also means your outdoor furniture feels like a long-term investment rather than a summer-only purchase.
Our outdoor living room ideas article has some great advice on how you can seamlessly bring your lounge and dining space into the garden.
Planning now for summer hosting success
While snow may be covering your patio, winter is the ideal time to plan. Measuring your space, choosing furniture and considering a layout now ensures you’re ready when summer does finally arrive.
Lazy Magazine's outdoor hosting must-haves for 2026:
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Timeless durability
Invest in durable, stylish garden furniture that’s designed to withstand the elements without compromising on looks. High-quality materials such as cast aluminium offer long-term reliability, making them ideal for outdoor hosting with minimal maintenance. Quick wipe and dry and they're ready to go. -
Adaptable seating
Flexible seating options allow your outdoor space to evolve throughout the day and into the evening. A mix of chairs, benches and movable pieces will ensure that you and your guests can sit comfortably wherever the conversations naturally gather, helping keep your guests relaxed, engaged, and enjoying your outside space. -
Ambient lighting
Thoughtful lighting transforms your garden from a daytime dining area into an inviting evening retreat. Layer string lights, lanterns and candles to add warmth, improve visibility as the sun sets and create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to hang out for longer. -
Soft furnishings
Weather-resistant cushions, and outdoor rugs introduce comfort, colour and texture to your seating areas. Designed to handle a sudden summer shower and morning dew if you forget to bring them in at the end of the night, these soft furnishings help to define zones within your garden while making your outdoor furniture feel just as inviting as the furniture inside your home. -
Effortless flow
A clear plan for food and flow keeps is the best way to keep hosting outdoors relaxed rather than rushed. Position tables, serving areas and drinks stations thoughtfully on your patio so guests can move easily between dining, socialising and seating areas without congestion. This also allows you to enjoy the party as much as everyone else without dashing in and out of the house.
Putting these elements in place early allows you to focus on fun, food and friends when the summer hosting season begins.
FAQ: Outdoor hosting trends for 2026
What are the biggest outdoor hosting trends for 2026?
Comfort-led design, durable garden furniture, layered seating areas and atmospheric lighting are leading the way.
How can I keep my guests comfortable outdoors?
Offer varied seating, provide warmth with blankets or a fire pit, and ensure lighting is sufficient once the sun sets.
Is cast aluminium furniture good for outdoor hosting?
Yes. Cast aluminium is weather-resistant, stylish and ideal for hosting outdoors year after year.
How do I plan a perfect garden party?
Focus on flow, seating options, good food and an inviting atmosphere rather than overcomplicating décor.
Looking ahead: Creating lasting memories outdoors with Lazy Susan
As 2026 unfolds, our outdoor hosting trends are a reminder that the garden is no longer just a backdrop to summer, it is where some of our most meaningful moments happen. From spontaneous drinks on the patio to carefully planned al fresco dinners, hosting outdoors is about slowing down, sharing good food and enjoying the great outdoors with our friends and family.
For the team here at Lazy Susan, the most successful garden gatherings aren’t just defined by looking good, but by comfort, connection and a sense of ease. Thoughtfully chosen garden dining furniture, welcoming relaxed seating areas and well-placed side tables will give your guests permission to relax, linger and truly enjoy your outside space.
Planning now in the off-season means that when summer does arrive, our outdoor spaces are ready to welcome friends and family without fuss. With the right foundations in place, hosting becomes less about logistics and more about enjoying the day.
We’d love to see how you bring the latest outdoor hosting trends to life at home with our range. Please support our Do Some Good campaign by sharing your stylish garden gatherings on Instagram or Facebook by tagging @LazySusanFurniture or by Uploading Photos Here of your beautifully styled outdoor spaces.
