Take your maximalist style outside
Bold ideas for joyful outdoor living
Why should your fabulous maximalist style stop at your front door? Well I’m here to tell you that it absolutely shouldn’t! If your interiors are bursting with colour and character, your outdoor space deserves the same joyful energy. Maximalism is a playful, personal approach to living with colour, print and creativity and it looks just as good under the open skies.
No matter if you’re working with a rambling country garden, a petite patio or the smallest city balcony, there’s always potential to bring in more character through colour, pattern, and texture all delivering personality and pleasure. I treat my garden like any other room in the house, a space to express my love of colour, layering and beautiful design details.
Here are my favourite ways to take your maximalist style outside…
Don’t fear the clash: how to layer colour and pattern
One of the joys of maximalism is mixing the unexpected. Stripes with florals, colour blocking with pattern play… the bolder the combo, the better. I usually begin with a patterned tablecloth as a base. The Sunshine Flowers is one of my favourites from my collection because it’s so cheerful, bold and full of plenty of colour. From there, I like to avoid the overly co-ordinated look and instead add patterned crockery, coloured tumblers and a few statement serving pieces like a large tray or vase centre stage.
The trick to making it all feel pulled together is to keep to a tight colour palette. You’ll notice across this table setting there is a repetition of coral, aqua, cobalt and green. I’ve added colourful candle sticks down the spine of the table for more pops of colour. A parasol makes a proper statement, preferably with a bold print and fringe. It instantly frames the whole scene.
I always include flowers on my tables but somehow a summer garden setting urges you to really go for it. I scatter a collection of vintage style vases, glass tumblers, even old jars down the centre of the table. Next fill the vessels with blooms at different heights. Even a few freshly picked sprigs from the garden can make a table feel extra special.
Make it stylish, not standard: garden furniture with personality
Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be dull but my goodness you have to mine through a lot of grey garden furniture to find the colour joy! One way to add the colour is to simply add colourful outdoor cushions, a bench pad and a throw to your plain set of furniture. However I’ve always loved Café Bistro-style chairs as they are suitable for outdoors and can be found in the most amazing selection of colours. They’re compact, colourful and surprisingly comfy. You don’t need to fill every inch to make a big impact. I styled a quiet corner of my patio with just two bistro chairs, a bench pad and a parasol. It quickly became the most-loved spot in the house. Start with one joyful piece, then layer in extra touches over time.
Set the mood: lighting and flowers after dark
As the sun dips, the feel of a space shifts… which is when your styling can really shine. Lighting brings atmosphere and makes everything look quite magical. The trick with lighting is to layer, layer, layer and the more really is the better. Solar Lights are revolutionary as you don’t need to worry about electrical points and they charge all day then switch on magically as the sun sets. These Hanging Lanterns, hung around eye level look simply magical as they also add the colour too. Then add plenty of candlelight flickering across the table, on candle sticks or inside lanterns. You want to cast a warm, inviting glow so focus on sparkle, shadow and texture.
Take your personality all the way to the garden gate
Maximalism outdoors is about making space for the things you love. Colour, comfort, joy.. Even the smallest terrace can be transformed with the right pattern or a playful piece of furniture.
Forget matching sets. Skip beige. Choose one piece that brings a smile… a bright parasol, a patterned bench pad, a tablecloth in your favourite colour…. and build the rest around it. That’s how it becomes your space.
Waves are warm, sociable and unapologetically decorative. Add one or scatter them everywhere… they’ll bring rhythm, joy and just the right amount of eccentricity to your space.
Fancy making it fabulous?
Take a peek at the new Sophie Robinson x Dunelm Collection. It’s full of colourful finds to bring your garden or balcony to life.
For more cheerful, colour-packed inspiration, head to Instagram or explore the Sophie Robinson Interior Design School.
