STYLED with the right furniture and accessories, your garden patio can become another "room".

Interiors writer Gabrielle Fagan shows how to make your outdoor space shipshape and fit for the season.

YOUR patio should ideally suit you and your lifestyle. If al fresco feasts are your thing, opt for a roomy table and comfortable chairs, so guests feel like lingering. If you prefer just sitting and relaxing, a couple of sofas and a coffee table will probably suffice, while a deck as small as a postage stamp can probably only accommodate a compact table (perfect for cocktails and nibbles) and fold-up chairs.

There's a huge variety of patio furniture and accessories available, so make the most of sunny days with this edit of everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors.

- Create a colourful hotspot

Banish conventional white furniture for good and embrace summer 2018's passion for punchy colour.

"This season, we're becoming decidedly braver in our outdoor furniture choices," said Vicky Angell, outdoor living buyer at John Lewis.

"Although woven and wooden textures continue to be very popular, we're seeing an increasing demand for outdoor pieces that inject a pop of vibrant colour into gardens.

"Contemporary furniture designs are increasingly in demand, and this trend is personified by our cheerful Salsa collection, a playful outdoor furniture range in six different summer hues," added Vicky.

Patio project: Avoid a matchy-matchy look and pick colourful individual pieces of furniture rather than a single set. Alternatively, jazz up old furniture by painting it in bright hues - maybe paint each chair a different colour - or opt for softer but fashionable ice-cream shades. A gaily printed umbrella, patterned cushions and a throw will complete the look.

- Set a scene with seating

Furnishing the patio in style will create a seamless transition from indoors to out.

"As the warmer months make a welcome return, we all remember the simple pleasures of spending time relaxing in the garden," said Marcus Eyles, buying director at Dobbies Garden Centres.

"With so many different looks to choose from, you can easily transform your outside space to become a stylish extension of your home.

"Our Refined Coastal collection, inspired by breaking waves and endless skies, is a sophisticated but laidback interpretation of the nautical trend - a restful palette of pale blues, warm whites, soft neutrals and breezy stripes, which complements sleek, timber furniture and seafarer accessories."

Marcus added: "Generally, there's a move towards bold multicultural prints and exotic planting reflecting global influences in decor, but the demand for a palette of soft tones and natural materials never wanes."

Patio project: Mix indoor and outdoor natural materials, so you blur the boundary between outside and in. A balanced combination of rattan, wood, metal, ceramics and glass will give a space a natural, collected feel and connect the interior with the exterior.

- Conjure a serene sanctuary

With our time-poor, stress-filled lifestyles, a special space furnished to our taste, where we instantly feel calm, is an essential - make that a patio area or a secluded corner of a garden.

"More than ever, we're seeing our outdoor space as a true extension of our homes," said Vicky, of John Lewis.

"With many people living in smaller homes than previous generations, every inch of additional space for entertaining and relaxing counts.

"People are looking for statement pieces for their gardens, from a stunning seat to a pizza oven, or even a Tiki bar.

"Another major trend is accessorising outdoors. Just as we do in our sitting rooms or dining rooms, people are adding those essential details - outdoor rugs, cushions, throws, lanterns and line lights - to make their gardens more comfortable and homely."

Patio project: Make a patio feel more like another room by adding a pergola or an awning.

Lighting is key to zone an area and, even without actual outdoor lighting, can be achieved with lanterns and hurricane lamps.

As a finishing touch, reflect your decor style with personal touches - outdoor canvasses hung on a painted fence, throws draped over chairs, and ornaments like garden sculptures.