Summer garden colour schemes that will elevate your outdoor space

With the UK basking in one of its sunniest early summers ever, our gardens are stepping firmly into the spotlight. They’re no longer just green backdrops — they’ve become outdoor extensions of our living rooms, dining areas, and even home offices.

And if you're looking to refresh your space in time for Summer 2025, there’s one simple design trick that delivers instant impact: a well-planned garden colour scheme.

Whether it’s calming neutrals, vibrant pops of citrus, or romantic floral tones, the colours you choose for your garden set the tone for how the space feels and functions.

The Royal Horticultural Society highlighted in their 2024 gardening predictions that some of the major trends for 2025 are the rise of “greening grey spaces”, eco-optimism, and more vivid planting palettes.

Industry insights from the Garden Media Group identified that the colour of the year is cyber lime, and they noted that bold, energetic palettes are becoming increasingly popular.

A recent UK poll of 2,000 garden owners found that 34% would host more often if their garden was nicer, and 57% admitted they don’t use the space as much as they could.

At Lazy Susan, we’ve been helping customers across the UK design beautiful, long-lasting patio spaces that work for them for over a decade. Our team’s deep experience in outdoor styling has shown us one consistent truth:

“The right colour scheme transforms your garden from a collection of pieces into a space with personality, flow, and purpose.”
— The Lazy Susan Design Team

In this article, we’ll explore five standout colour schemes perfect for UK gardens in Summer 2025 — each chosen to pair beautifully with our classically stylish slate grey, antique bronze, and white metal garden tables and chairs.

Whether your garden is built for entertaining, relaxing, or both, there’s a palette that can bring it to life.

Why Do Colour Schemes in Garden Design Matter?

Garden colour schemes are more than just a design detail — they’re the glue that pulls your outdoor space together. From planting choices to furniture finishes and soft accessories like cushions, rugs, and parasols, a considered palette ensures your garden feels intentional and inviting rather than cobbled together.

A well-chosen colour scheme brings visual harmony to your space, helping it feel calm, balanced, and beautifully styled. But it also plays a powerful psychological role: certain colours can energise, soothe, or even make your garden feel bigger and brighter.

Whether you’re designing around your patio dining area, a shaded coffee spot, or a sunny corner perfect for lounging, the right colours influence how you feel and use that space. Cool, neutral tones might encourage quiet morning coffees; warm Mediterranean palettes can turn everyday dinners into holiday-style moments.

“Colour is one of the most transformative tools in garden design. It can create mood, define function, and tie the built and natural elements together into something truly personal.”
— Amelia Grant, UK Garden Designer & Outdoor Stylist

And as the boundary between indoor and outdoor living continues to blur, your garden’s colour scheme has become just as important as your interior decor. A well-balanced outdoor palette can extend your home's style into the open air, making it feel like a true extension of your lifestyle.

At Lazy Susan, we’ve seen firsthand how a thoughtful scheme built around our timeless furniture finishes — white, antique bronze, or slate grey — can provide the perfect foundation for a space that’s both elegant and enduring.

Our Top 5 Garden Colour Schemes for Summer 2025

When it comes to creating a stylish and inviting outdoor space, colour is just as important as comfort, and we want to inspire your next seasonal refresh.

When working with our garden tables and chairs, these curated palettes are designed to complement the timeless tones of our collection — bringing harmony, flair, and a touch of summer joy to any garden.

1. Slate Grey & Eucalyptus Green: Sophisticated & Subtle

Why it works: A modern, refined palette that balances structure and softness. Slate grey furniture provides a bold, architectural anchor, while eucalyptus green brings calm and freshness — ideal for contemporary garden spaces.

Style Pairing:

• Slate grey furniture with eucalyptus or sage green cushions.

• Decorative grasses and sculptural evergreens.

• Accessories in stone, charcoal, and soft grey ceramics.

Perfect For: Modern patios, urban terraces, and minimal garden layouts.

2. Antique Bronze & Terracotta Tones: Rustic Mediterranean Warmth for a Colourful Garden

Why it works: Inspired by Tuscan courtyards and sun-warmed terraces, this scheme uses our antique bronze’s rich patina to set a timeless tone. Terracotta adds warmth and an earthy vibrancy, creating a rustic but sophisticated vibe.

Style Pairing:

• Antique bronze bistro or dining sets with terracotta or burnt orange seat cushions.

• Clay planters, olive trees, and rosemary or thyme borders.

• Rattan lanterns and terracotta-toned tableware.

Perfect For: Traditional gardens, cottage patios, Mediterranean-style spaces.

3. White, Sage & Lavender: Complementary Colours for Romantic English Charm

Why it works: There’s nothing quite like the soft elegance of classic white metal furniture surrounded by floral hues. Lavenders and sage greens offer a calming, graceful complement to white’s crisp brightness, creating a beautifully nostalgic atmosphere.

Style Pairing:

• White bistro sets surrounded by lavender, salvia, and nepeta.

• Cushions in soft lilac, sage green or floral prints.

• Distressed wooden planters and vintage-style parasols.

Perfect For: Cottage gardens, vintage-themed spaces, relaxed entertaining.

4. White, Blue, Green & Sand: Colours for Coastal Cool

Why it works: This breezy palette channels pool or seaside calm with a clean and effortless look. White metal furniture provides a fresh canvas for blues, greens, creams, and driftwood-inspired neutrals — ideal for bringing a bit of the coast inland.

Style Pairing:

• White or slate grey furniture paired with striped or denim-blue cushions.

• Pale stone pavers, beach grasses, and soft cream throws.

• Shell-inspired décor or nautical lighting features.

Perfect For: Decking areas, beach-themed patios, pools, and holiday homes.

5. Slate Grey, Orange, Citrus Accents: Bold & Uplifting 

Why it works: If you want your garden to feel energetic and modern, try pairing strong slate grey with citrus tones like on-trend cyber lime, lemon yellow, zesty orange, or even pops of coral pinks. It’s a vibrant look that works beautifully when grounded by structured greenery.

Style Pairing:

• Slate grey dining sets with citrus-toned cushions or accessories.

• Planters in bright ceramic finishes or glossy enamel.

• Citrus trees in large pots — lemons, limes, or kumquats — for a living splash of colour.

Perfect For: Entertaining spaces, family gardens, bold modern layouts.

7 Top Colour Styling Tips from the Lazy Susan Team

A well-planned garden colour scheme can completely transform your outdoor space, turning a plain patio into a vibrant extension of your home.

Whether you love bold hues or prefer soft neutrals, these expert tips from the Lazy Susan design team will help you build a visually appealing garden that complements your furniture and feels effortlessly curated.

1. Let Furniture Lead

Your garden table and chairs are a good starting point — they will set the tone for the entire space. Begin by selecting your core piece in a finish like Slate Grey, Antique Bronze, or White from the Lazy Susan range. This primary colour becomes the anchor for your colour palette, making it easier to layer on different shades and textures around it.

2. Colourful Garden, Calm Mind

A colourful garden doesn’t mean chaos. Stick to 2–3 key colours to keep the look cohesive. Strong colours like terracotta, navy, or emerald can create drama, while pastel shades such as blush pink or soft sage evoke calm. Use the same colour in multiple places — on cushions, planters, parasols, etc — to tie everything together and make the space feel intentional.

3. Choosing Plants

Plants do more than fill space — they bring your colour scheme to life. When choosing plants, think of them as part of your design toolkit. Foliage acts as a neutral backdrop, letting all the colours in your palette shine. Match flower colours with accessories to reinforce your theme. For example, lavender blooms pair beautifully with grey furniture and lilac-toned textiles to create depth and softness.

4. Don’t Forget the Garden Gate

Your garden gate is the first thing people see, so don’t overlook its design. Paint it in your primary colour or a different shade from your main palette to create a welcoming contrast. A bold gate in deep green or charcoal can frame your space and hint at the colour story waiting behind it.

5. Work with Analogous Colours

If you’re unsure where to begin, analogous colours are a good starting point. These are shades that sit next to each other on the colour wheel, like blue and green. They’re naturally harmonious and make it easy to build a balanced scheme. For example, Slate Grey and Eucalyptus Green share cool undertones and look elegant when layered with pale blues or soft silvers.

6. Create a Focal Point

Every great garden needs a moment that draws the eye. Use strong colours sparingly to highlight a focal point — like a bistro set under a pergola, a statement planter, or a painted bench. This will anchor your scheme and add interest without overwhelming the space. Contrasting pastel shades around your feature can further create depth and make the area feel more layered.

7. Accessorise with Purpose

Once your foundation is in place, bring in the personality. Outdoor rugs, parasols, scatter cushions, and lanterns help create an atmosphere. Echo your chosen shades across these accessories for consistency. Mixing the same colour in various textures — woven, painted, or printed — will add dimension while keeping your theme focused.

With a thoughtful mix of colour, texture, and plant life, you can create a garden that feels polished, personal, and ready for summer. Whether you lean bold or understated, the key is choosing a colour palette that complements your furniture and reflects your style.

Lazy Magazine's Colour Pairing Cheat Sheet

Furniture Finish	Top Colour Pairings	Design Style
Slate Grey	Eucalyptus green, blush pink, citrus yellow	Modern, contemporary, bold
Antique Bronze	Terracotta, olive green, cream, rust	Classic, rustic, Mediterranean
White	Lavender, pastel blue, sage green, sand tones	Romantic, coastal, vintage

Our Final Thoughts: Pick A Cool Colour Scheme That Lasts

Our outdoor spaces are no longer just places we pass through — they’re central to how we relax, socialise, and enjoy daily life at home. Whether you’re entertaining friends over dinner or curling up with a book in the afternoon sun, our gardens deserve the same design attention as our indoor spaces.

Choosing a well-considered colour scheme is one of the most effective ways to elevate your garden without a full redesign. And when paired with high-quality metal furniture that’s built to last, the result is a space that feels cohesive, inviting, and uniquely yours.

At Lazy Susan, we’ve spent years helping customers create colourful gardens they love to live in. Our expert team understands how colour can transform a patio, how furniture finishes complement the natural tones of the outdoors, and how the right styling touches can bring everything together.

Whether it’s the timeless elegance of white, the earthy depth of antique bronze, or the contemporary edge of slate grey, our pieces are designed to be both versatile and visually striking.

Most importantly, we believe outdoor furniture should be more than functional — it should set the tone for how you use and enjoy your garden. Our classically stylish finishes are designed to support a wide range of looks, so you can switch up cushions, planters, and accessories as the trends (or seasons) change, all while keeping a strong design foundation in place.

So, whether you’re starting fresh or simply giving your garden a seasonal refresh, let colour be your guide. Start with quality furniture you love, choose a colour story that suits your space and lifestyle, and layer in your personality through plants, fabrics, and finishing touches. With the right palette, your garden can become an extension of your home — one that inspires, relaxes, and welcomes all summer long and well beyond.

If you’ve purchased furniture from us, please tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @LazySusanFurniture, or upload some photos to our Do Some Good campaign — we’d love to see how you bring your garden to life with colour!