THE GREAT INDOORS PODCAST IS BACK - RELAUNCH ON THURSDAY 19TH JUNE

Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
    • Home Masterclass
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Outside
01 Jun 22

The best colourful garden furniture

John Lewis Partners Salsa 5 Seater Corner Garden Sofa Two Tone Yellow copy

Wahoo! Haven’t we had the most glorious May and the sun continues to shine on us into June. If the past two years has taught us anything, it’s that we love our outside spaces. So whether you have a meandering country garden or compact city terrace, styling your garden to look as lush as your interior spaces is where it’s at.

I’ll be square with you, I find most garden furniture deeply disappointing;  a sea of grey wicker effect boxy blandness. But I’ve been trawling the corridors of the internet to bring you all the colour joy! Invest in a pop of colour this summer and lift your heart and boost your gardens style stakes. And if you already have wooden, metal or (ahem!) grey garden furniture, you can spruce up the holiday vibes with a parasol, some fabulous cushions or a brightly coloured drinks cart.

In terms of trends, I’m seeing ALOT of yellow, which is perfect if you want to introduce some sunny positive feel good vibes to your garden area. Mexican style string furniture, inspired by the iconic Acapulco chair, is also hitting the high street in a big way. Legend has it that a French tourist was visiting Acapulco in the ’50s and was uncomfortably hot sitting on a solid seat in the Mexico sunshine. Inspired by the open string construction of traditional Mayan hammocks nearby, he designed a chair that allowed your bum and back to breathe. I have two and I can contest- they are super comfy and cool!

The Acapulco chair was first produced in the ’50s, and quickly became popular but as I say, it’s making a big splash this year. Usually made of vinyl cords on a metal, slightly pear-shaped frame, it stands out in bright, tropical colours. This  Salsa 5-Seater Corner Garden Sofa, £379, John Lewis, fulfils both trends perfectly, and I love how the corner sofa works to create the feeling of an outdoor room. For so long interior designers have been talking about bringing the outside in, with the notion that bringing plants, botanicals and green hues into our interior spaces helps to create the feeling of well being. Well, this trend is all about bringing the inside out with furniture as stylish as anything we’d want in our living rooms. Layer the look by bringing in rugs, cushions and colourful potted plants and you have the ultimate summer hang out.

 

Here is my pick of the best buys in some of the hottest summer colours. Outside is the new inside!

 Yellow

1. Paisley fringed canopy, £360, Cox & Cox | 2. Roberta side table, by Novogratz, £80, Next | 3. Indu 2 Seater Metal Bench, £140, Habitat | 4. Ray Eucalyptus & Cotton Deckchair, £148, La Redoute |  5. Fringed wood and canvas canopy umbrella, £180, Business & Pleasure Co at Selfridges | 6. Set of 2 loungers in yellow, £75, Argos | 7. Belmar striped indoor/outdoor chair, £198, Anthropologie

Red & pink

8. Wooden Director Chair in Geo Orange, £55, Habitat | 9. 2 -Seater Garden Adirondack Chair, £107.99, Home Done | 10. Luxembourg Bar with Wheels in pink praline, £705, Nunido | 11. Brusen outdoor sofa, £199, Ikea | 12. Stripesol foldable woven parasol, £479, Fatboy at Selfridges | 13. Geometrics stool, £138, Anthropologie | 14. Mag coffee table, £655, The Conran Shop.

Green

15. Salsa Garden Rocking Chair in jolly green, £100, John Lewis | 16. Soriano 4 Seater Garden Dining Set, £625, Made | 17. Green striped fringed garden parasol, £229.99, Gardenesque | 18. Outsunny Set of 2 Cushioned Sun Lounger Reclining Chairs, £76.99, Robert Dyas | 19. Kalian synthetic wicker chair, £134.95, Sklum | 20. Paco Lounge Chair, £119, Dunelm 

Blue

21. Brights 2-Seater Metal Garden Sofa, Directoire Blue, £95, John Lewis | 22. Hasso Blue and White Stool, £229.99, H&M | 23. Salsa Garden Hanging Chair, Teal/Aegean, £299, John Lewis | 24. Rendezvous Fruit Blue Parasol, £187.12, Oliver Bonas | 25. Penelope Bar Cart by Novogratz in blue, £90, Next | 26. Gibston Folding garden table in teal, £172.50, Maisons du Monde | 27. Acapulco Garden Chair, £50, Homebase

 

Shopping edit by Luisa Ferdenzi-Rouse

Please note: All prices correct at the time of posting

  • Outside
Trend report: Wiggles The Winter seasonal personality- Colour Psychology series
  • Christmas
  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • colour psychology
    • DIY
    • dream home makeovers
    • Home Office
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • Sophie Robinson X Dunelm
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos
online influence award winner 2019
Interior Design Winner Sophie Robinson Insta
Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Online courses
by popular demand

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

Before and after! This room took me on a real jour Before and after! This room took me on a real journey.
At first, I thought I needed a calm, blank space to focus… so I painted it all white. I know - can you believe it?! I told myself it was for clarity and creativity, but the truth is, I hated it. I felt flat and totally uninspired.

So, I ripped up the rulebook and went back to what I know works for me: bold colour and big pattern. I painted the whole space in my favourite cobalt blue (Lazuli by @zoffanyfw) and installed the ‘In the Woods’ mural from my @Harlequinfw collection - and now it’s everything I wanted and more.

I feel creative, energised, and completely connected to the beautiful garden just outside the window. A daily reminder to trust your instincts, feel from your gut and be brave. 

#OfficeGoals #CreativeWorkspace #BoldInteriors #BeforeAndAfter #SophieRobinsonStyle 
#CobaltBlue #HarlequinWallpaper #ColourLovers #InteriorDesignUK #InTheWoodsMural 
#DesignForJoy #MoreIsMore
A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨ It was such A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨

It was such an honour to guest judge the Interior Design Masters final alongside the fabulous @michelleogundehin and wow, what a finale it was!

The setting? The magical village of Portmeirion.
The challenge? Transform a bland holiday cottage.
The winner? The brilliant @john_cooper_design and what a winning design it was! 

John’s scheme was a glorious celebration of colour and perfect  storytelling. I loved how  he used bold Mediterranean hues and motifs from room to room which cleverly held this maximalist vision together. It felt like being whisked away to a land far far away. And thereby perfectly capturing the spirit of Portmerion. Honestly, it felt magical to be there!

I’ve unpacked all Johns clever ideas and design takeaways over on the blog (link in bio) — but I’d LOVE to hear what you thought.

Was John your winner?
What design moment caught your eye?
Could you stay in a house like this?

Tell me in the comments 👇

#interiordesignmasters #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #portmerion #colourlover #banthebeige
Longing for a life-changing escape? You’re not a Longing for a life-changing escape?
You’re not alone. Our next Discover Colour Retreat at @elfennmarrakech just sold out in just a few hours, snapped up by our incredible subscriber community who said yes to more colour, creativity, and the trip of a lifetime. 💫

If you missed out, don’t panic, we’re already planning more dates in this dream of a design destination. Think: bold design, deep connection, sun-drenched inspiration, and the kind of joy that lingers long after you get home.

Want to be first to hear?
Comment ‘ELFENN’ below and we’ll send the link with details + the option to add yourself to the VIP waitlist.

Because beautiful things come to those who wait…
and this one’s worth every second. 🌺

#elfennmarrakech #discovercolour #designretreat #marrakech #moroccanstyle #designinspo
Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically YOU?

For me it’s about bold joyful colour, striking pattern, and those magical touches that light you up every time you walk through the door. This isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about crafting a home that celebrates the uniqueness of who you are and how you want to feel. 

In my exclusive online course How to Create a Maximalist Interior, I’ll guide you through my step-by-step design process—so you can confidently design a space that’s full of heart, soul, and style.

🎉 25% OFF ends TONIGHT! 🎉
Comment MAYJOY below and I’ll send you the link.

And yes, you’ll get a personal tour of my own technicolour home, so you can see exactly how I bring it all together.

Let’s unlock your dream home. One room at a time. 💥
EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignm EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters ! 

Thankyou @john_cooper_design for a beautiful LIVE taking a deeper look into your amazing experience being on the this most loved show. We all loved watching you grow and develop as a designer and your collection with @johnlewis is an absolute triumph! Cannot wait to see what you do next 🙌
All the Finale feels ✨ What a joy was filming t All the Finale feels ✨
What a joy was filming this series of @interiordesignmasters with @michelleogundehin , @chattyman , not mention this year’s insanely talented finalists @john_cooper_design 💙 @ritamillat ❤️ There is a lot of love and positive energy that goes into making this show.

And it doesn’t end here…

TONIGHT at 7pm I’ll be going LIVE right here on Instagram with this year’s winner… SPOLER ALERT….

@john_cooper_design 
I cannot wait to chat all the behind-the-scenes design insights, and what it really takes to win Interior Design Masters. What a smashing journey John has been on. Wow his final design blew me away, it’s was soo well executed and his vision was perfectly in step with the flamboyant eccentricity of Portmerion. Top marks! 

Come join us and ask your questions during this exciting Live event or come back later and watch the replay! 👀

Missed the show? Catch  up with @bbcone  Interior Design Masters on @bbciplayer 

#InteriorDesignMasters #IDMFinal #DesignShow #BehindTheScenes #InteriorDesignUK
Beware of listening to the ‘experts’! I get i Beware of listening to the ‘experts’!
I get it though, designing a house is hard, especially if your taste leans towards the 
maximalist style. There is every chance you’ll feel overwhelmed or stressed about getting it wrong with the end result one hot mess. However here are some of those common ‘design rules’ that I absolutely disagree with! Would love to know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and fully embrace creating a home that truly reflects you, my specially designed online course has everything you need to keep you falling into any more traps. I’ll guide you through uncovering your unique style, choosing colours with confidence, and mixing patterns like a pro, all while making it feel beautifully cohesive and creative. And the best bit? It’s 25% off until the end of May! That’s right, just a few days left to pick up a massive discount.

Just comment MAYJOY and I’ll pop the link over in your DMs.


#maximalisthome #colourfulhome #interiorinspo #designmyths #interiordesignadvice 
#patternclash #dopaminedecor #banthebeige #maximalistdecor #interiorstyle 
#colourmyhome
Ready to step into your best life? Start with the Ready to step into your best life? Start with the place that holds it all. Your home.

I’ve always believed that a joyful, soul-filled home isn’t just a reflection of who you are… it’s a catalyst for who you want to become. When you’re surrounded by colours that lift you, patterns that energise you, and decor that tells to your story, something magical happens.

You feel confident, calmer. More you.

And if you’re ready to design a home that feels like you, my brilliant online course is here to help.

I walk you through how to bring your personal style to life — from choosing colours and mixing patterns, to making it all beautifully hang together. And right now, it’s got a whopping 25% off — but only until the end of this week! 🏃‍♀️

Simply comment MAYJOY and I’ll DM you the link to find out more.

Because great design isn’t just about how it looks — it’s how it makes you feel.

And that feeling? It ripples out into every part of your life. 💛🌟

#FeelGoodDesign #JoyfulHomes #MaximalistInteriors #ColourConfidence #InteriorInspo #DesignWithSoul #SophieRobinsonInteriors
Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2025 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW