With the glimmer of summer comes the anticipation of spending more time outside. The memory of last year’s glorious summer brings more hope than previous years – so now is the perfect time to get your garden in order so you can spend lots of time outside with family and friends relaxing in an enchanting garden oasis.

Whether you have a small apartment terrace or a suburban back garden, try a few of these key elements to ensure your space is the place to be this summer.

Plan your outdoor space. Think of your outdoor space like you would a room in your home. Plan where your dining table will go and where any seating would be. Think about where the sun is and what area suits what function best.

Make any seating area as comfortable as possible, use cushions and throws to encourage lounging. A great idea for small outdoor spaces is to use floor cushions and poufs as seating – they won’t take up too much room and can be easily stored away.

The trend at the moment is to treat your outdoors more like an indoor room; things like outdoor rugs are great for covering up unsightly surfaces and help to define a space. Making your exterior oasis just as cosy as your family room will ensure you get the most use out of it. With our unpredictable weather keep a pile of throws handy to ward off any evening chills.

Whether you are surrounded by trees and bushes or flanked by walls, adding some key decorative plants in beautiful containers will help dress up any patio or deck space.

Think about the style you are going for – tropical or country garden. Vary the size, shape, and types of greenery for a natural and dynamic look and be sure to display them in attention-grabbing pots for added beauty.

Exterior lighting is a great way to create ambiance and means you can spend more time outdoors in the evening.

Decorative lighting is lovely for dressing up an area – there are some lovely and inexpensive solar powered garland style lights available which give a soft glow. Wall lights are very effective in patio spaces and lighting in planting works really well too.

Style your outdoor retreat as you would any other area of your home, incorporating decorative accessories to add personality and flair. From stylish hurricane lanterns to vintage garden stools. This last layer of décor sets your place apart and injects a unique aesthetic into your exterior living space.

Denise O’Connor is an architect and design consultant