Spring has sprung. The clocks go forward next weekend, the end of Lent approaches and the shops are full of hot-cross buns. This means bonanza time for DIY stores as they attempt to persuade consumers that Easter is really about laying decking and buying new garden furniture, as opposed to its true meaning, which is the purchase of excessively-packaged chocolate.
That’s not to say garden furniture is wrong. It’s reasonable to have chairs on your patio. As someone whose garden seating arrangements amount to two mildew-covered canvas chairs and two rickety wooden ones of ancient provenance, one of which is home to a wasp’s nest, I can appreciate the attraction of, say, the Cube range at Tesco (boxy modern rattan), the Capri table and chairs set at Argos (elegantly curved wood) and the Spice bistro sets at Heals (multi-coloured coated steel).
I have yet to be persuaded of the case for decking, however. Extravagant garden furniture in the form of day beds, upholstered swings, suspended “pod” chairs and outdoor chaise longues swank in high-street window displays everywhere, but I have yet to meet someone who has actually bought one. They look jolly nice though, should your thoughts tend towards a summer spent reclining. The Argos cushion day bed, B&Q Blooma Wake day bed and Homebase metal day bed are all simple but comfortable-looking, and priced almost identically, around £499.
Lighting, whether coloured tea-light holders, storm lanterns or proper, built-in recessed lighting, is the most atmospheric decoration for gardens. As a focal point, fire seems to have taken over from water as the ornamental element of choice. Water features still exist, but if you’re in the market for a fire pit or a chiminea, you will be spoilt for choice. Just remember not to ignite it beneath an ivy-covered, wooden trellis. I speak from personal experience.