The Very British Edit #38: The Art of Staying Outdoors Longer at the End of Summer
The Opening Note
This week, I’m determined to make the most of every last warm evening we have left. I’m not quite ready to admit that summer is coming to an end – in fact, I’m desperate to stay outdoors for as long as possible, dining, entertaining, and enjoying those long evenings before the temperature inevitably drops and we’re all forced back inside.
We’ve been unusually lucky in the UK this summer, with so many stretches of warm, sunny weather that outdoor dining and living has felt less like a treat and more like a way of life. I’ve found myself eating almost every meal I can outside, inviting friends over for relaxed dinners in the garden, and finding any excuse to sit outside until the light disappears. It has been such a welcome reminder of how much pleasure can come from simply spending more time outdoors.
Now that we’re edging towards the end of summer, I’m looking for ways to keep that feeling going for just a little longer. There’s something especially lovely about late-summer evenings: the air feels a little cooler, the light becomes softer and more golden, and sitting around a table outside after dinner somehow feels even more enjoyable. I’m not ready to give that up just yet.
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Rather than packing away the garden and outdoor dining pieces at the first sign of autumn, I’m adding a few things that will make it easier to stay outside comfortably. Think soft throws draped over chairs for when the temperature dips, outdoor rugs to make a garden table feel more inviting, and small decorative touches that bring a little warmth and personality to an outdoor setting.
I’ve recently added a couple of pieces to my own outdoor setup that are already helping. The Maeve by Anthropologie Striped Ruffle Indoor/Outdoor Pillow from Anthropologie is exactly the kind of pretty, practical detail I love – the playful stripes and ruffled edge add a little personality while making outdoor seating feel much more comfortable. I’ve also bought the Mr. White Outdoor Cordless Lamp from Amazon, which has quickly become one of my favorite additions for evenings outside. There’s something so useful about being able to move a cordless lamp around the garden, whether it’s placed on the dining table during dinner or moved to a side table later in the evening.
(Image credit: Jacky Hobbs/Future)
I’m increasingly convinced that outdoor lighting is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of a backyard or patio. Once the sun has gone down, portable lamps, lanterns, and rechargeable lights create that warm, glowing atmosphere that makes you want to stay outside for another drink, another conversation, or just another hour. They’re small additions, but they can completely change the mood of an evening.
I’ve always loved the way outdoor living spaces are used across Europe, where dining outside isn’t necessarily reserved for the height of summer. There’s an effortless approach to alfresco entertaining that makes a garden or terrace feel like another room of the home – somewhere to gather, eat, talk and linger, rather than somewhere that has to be perfectly styled or saved for special occasions.
That’s the feeling I’m trying to recreate at home now. A beautiful outdoor rug under the table, a pile of cosy throws within reach, some soft lighting, a few pieces of pretty tableware and seasonal flowers are enough to make an evening outside feel considered without losing that relaxed, spontaneous quality that makes summer entertaining so enjoyable.
(Image credit: Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images)
I’ve been gathering the pieces I want to see me through these final weeks of warm weather – from outdoor dining essentials to weather-friendly textiles, garden accessories, portable lighting and small decorative touches. These are the things that can help make an outdoor space feel warmer, more comfortable and more inviting, even as the evenings start to draw in.
This week, I’m sharing the pieces I’d genuinely choose to keep outdoor dining and entertaining going for as long as possible. Because while I know cooler evenings are coming, I’m determined to squeeze every last bit of summer out of the garden before we have no choice but to move indoors – and if a few throws, an outdoor rug, some pretty cushions and a glowing portable lamp can buy me a little more time outside, I’m all for it.
The Edit: Keeping Summer Going
The Queue
Next week, I’ve been thinking about a decorating approach that feels increasingly appealing in a world of ever-changing trends: creating a home that feels collected rather than decorated. Instead of chasing the latest look or creating a perfectly finished room, I’m much more drawn to spaces that feel as though they have evolved naturally – filled with pieces that have a story, a sense of history, or simply a personal meaning.
The most interesting rooms tend to be a mix of old and new: a vintage chair beside a contemporary sofa, handmade ceramics collected over the years, an antique mirror inherited from a family member, or artwork picked up while travelling. These are the details that give a home character and make it feel genuinely lived in.
I’ve always admired interiors where you can’t immediately tell when everything was purchased. A beautifully worn wooden table, mismatched pottery, faded textiles or an old lamp given a new lease of life can add so much warmth. Nothing feels too coordinated, and that is precisely what makes it work. It feels personal rather than prescribed – and far less tied to whatever happens to be trending.
Handmade, vintage and antique pieces are particularly appealing because they have a sense of permanence. A hand-thrown vase, woven basket, old wooden stool or set of mismatched glasses doesn’t need to be perfect; often, the imperfections are what make them special. They feel as though they belong to a home rather than simply filling a space.
(Image credit: VSP Interiors)
And while I don’t have children, I’ve started thinking more about the things I bring into my home in terms of what might outlive me. I love the idea of choosing pieces that could one day be passed on to family or friends – things beautiful and well-made enough to be loved by someone else long after I’m gone, rather than becoming another unwanted object destined for landfill.
That doesn’t mean everything has to be expensive or antique. It might be a piece of pottery from an independent maker, a vintage frame found secondhand, a beautiful textile, or something discovered on a memorable trip. What matters is that it has character and that you can imagine someone wanting to keep it.
A home doesn’t have to look new to feel beautiful. The most inviting spaces often have a little wear and tear, a few mismatched elements and plenty of objects that couldn’t simply be replaced with something else. They feel personal because they are personal.
Next week, I’m sharing an edit of the handmade, vintage, antique and heirloom-inspired pieces I’m drawn to now – not because they are the next big interior trend, but because they have the potential to become part of a home’s story for years to come.
(Image credit: Future)
The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.
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