Consumers traditionally buy garden furniture in the spring or early summer months, with a view to enjoying as many sunny days as they can over the summertime. For some consumers, picking up a bargain mid to late summer can be a great way for planning for the following year. But gardens don’t just have to be about the summer months. With autumn around the corner, this is the perfect time to start thinking of how to extend your clients’ garden fun a little longer throughout the autumn season.

Get comfortable and warm

A big hit this summer has been luxurious outdoor garden sofas. They’ve frequently appeared in luxury lifestyle magazines, and look like they are here to stay. Often they will be made from durable PE rattan, or timber-style polywood, which makes them ideal for keeping out all year round. The cushioned seating makes them perfect for entertaining and relaxing with family and friends. So when the days get colder, your clients don’t have to just retreat indoors, but they can get cosy.

You will often find that in Scandinavian countries, they will sit outdoors all year around, and they do this through accessorising. Although garden sofas have soft large cushions on them, they can still feel a little cold in the autumn time. By adding a few sheepskin rugs over them, you’ll very quickly take the chill away. Sheepskins are perfect to sit on when it’s cold. Also, drape some wool throws around a sofa, which will allow your client and their guests to either keep warm by placing them over their knees, or to snuggle up in to. A natural fibre wool throw is perfect for keeping your clients warm.

Create the right lighting

As the days get shorter, and the evenings darker, try adding some lighting around your clients’ gardens. There are many lights that can be either hardwired or simply placed around a garden using battery power or solar power. Solar-powered lights are often not as effective in the autumn as they are in the summer months, but whatever your clients’ external lighting scheme, look to enhance the atmosphere with tea lights. Tea lights work best with a little shelter from the wind, so using old jam jars is perfect for creating a soft outdoor atmospheric light. If your clients are looking at a more fun and colourful finish, then place the tea lights in colourful jars. Pinks, reds and oranges are perfect for creating a warm feel and glow.

Flowers, plants and borders

Not everyone is naturally green-fingered, however making sure there is still some colour in your clients’ gardens in the autumn time will make it even more pleasurable for them to stay outside. A quick trip to a local hardware store is a nice, easy way to get some plants ready to put straight in to the ground. Or for a contemporary look, try planting some evergreen shrubs into pots and place them around a seating area. Soft concrete grey plant pots carry a natural contrasting colour scheme, which is particularly stylish and chic this season. Plant pots do need some care, so for a non-maintenance option, consider artificial plants. It’s amazing how fabulous some artificial plants can be.

Don’t forget to treat outdoor furniture

Outdoor dining tables are often made from hardwood and will come ready treated when purchased. However, if your clients want their wooden garden furniture to stay looking as good as new, then get treating furniture before the wet, cold winter kicks in. Cuprinol is a commonly used hard-wearing finish for outdoor furniture. Using the clear finish will maintain a natural look, however if you’re looking to add a splash of colour to your clients’ gardens, then use a finish with colour. Adding the very popular sky blue finish to furniture is a great way to completely transform the look of drab furniture into something light and colourful.