The days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to wind down. In fact, there’s something truly magical about late summer: that warm haze that hits just before sunset, when the air’s still and when everything feels a little slower. It’s the perfect time to give your outdoor space a glow-up and make the most of every alfresco moment.
The team at Baked Tiles have put together a designer approved checklist for building a garden space that shines well into the late season.
Step 1: Start with Your Surface
We think of paving as the foundation of your entire look. Our Alfresco paving tiles are designed to bring that boutique hotel feel to any outdoor space, with their faded patterned designs drawing from travels abroad. Go for a bold Moroccan or Mediterranean inspired pattern, and you’ll be surprised at how easily it blends with your garden scheme.
Looking for something with a more artisanal feel? Try our Marrakesh collection, a delightful selection of terracotta bricks and decors that work a charm in outdoor spaces. You can even mix it up a bit, going for a different shade or colour on the sides of your planters or barbeque island to create that layered look.
Our Tip: If you’re on the fence about bold patterned tiles, try using them in a smaller area first, like the step up to your patio or as a border around a planter. It’s a great way to dip your toe in without committing wall-to-wall.
Step 2: Layer in Lighting
Late summer is all about making the most of golden evenings, and nothing sets the mood quite like lighting. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Pooky Lights to show how a few simple lighting touches can completely transform your garden, and help you stretch those summer nights well into autumn.
For soft evening ambience, Pooky’s decking lights pair beautifully with our paving tiles, casting subtle up light that brings your garden’s features to life. Their path lights are another favourite, a clever way to highlight tiled walkways or draw the eye to planted borders.
And for something with a little wow? We’re loving the Majorelle Pendant. Hang it over your outdoor table, string it from a pergola, or style it low over a bench. Pair it with textured paving tiles and some beautiful alfresco furniture, and you’ve got a space that looks and feels just as dreamy at night as it does in the day.
Step 3: Zone Your Space
At Baked, we love to inform our customers just how important zoning your garden space is. Whether it’s a cosy patio or a full-on outdoor dining setup, zoning makes everything feel more thought-through. Try using our paving tiles to frame a dining spot or create a ‘tiled rug’ under your seating area. Layer in lighting to gently highlight these zones: a pendant above the table or path lights leading to a bench can make your space feel styled and inviting.
Step 4: Soften with Planting
This is not the time for precision pruning. Let late summer planting feel a little wild. Think terracotta pots overflowing with lavender, tumbling ivy between tiles, and a few dried grasses swaying in the breeze. The slightly undone look pairs beautifully with our hand-finished tiles, and catches the light wonderfully.
Summary
We hope these tips will help you create a garden space that feels considered, personal and a little bit magical. These late summer moments have a way of sneaking up on us, one day you’re sipping coffee in the early light, the next you’re hosting dinner under the stars. So make time to enjoy it. Light the lamp, pour the drink, put on your favourite playlist and stay out a little longer than planned. Even a simple evening becomes something special when your space is layered with intention.
Here’s to late summer, long nights, and gardens that glow.
Need some help with your paving project? Fill out a Perfect Pairings request to get expert advice from our designers
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