Make it alfresco – our top 10 best shops for outdoor living

FROM CASUAL GET-TOGETHERS to lunch for two, family barbecues to backyard parties with friends we’re making the most of the season with Ruth O’Connor‘s top ten ideas for alfresco gatherings. Let’s just hope the weather plays ball…

Cognac in Crystal Caragh Nurseries. Caragh Nurseries.

1. Caragh Nurseries:

If you’re looking for some top quality garden furniture this summer then Caragh Nurseries is a great place to start. Not only do they have an unbeatable selection of plants, planters, accessories, outdoor lighting and outdoor kitchen solutions but they also have a stunning range of outdoor furniture. Prices range from about €375 for the Kubu rattan chair to almost for a large solid teak table with eight matching chairs. Pictured here is the Cognac teak sofa set with concrete fibre coffee table set. €5,400.

caraghnurseries.ie

Lifestyle Ooni Koda 12_Pizza on Peel 3 BEN MOON. Meadows & Byrne. BEN MOON. Meadows & Byrne.

2. Meadows & Byrne:

Meadows & Byrne have a wide range of products that are perfect for outdoor entertaining from beautiful outdoor lanterns and battery operated LED table lamps to on trend cabbage design serveware and durable outdoor table linens. Perfect for pizza lovers of all ages is their range of Ooni pizza ovens which run on gas and are portable. Available in two sizes – the Ooni Koda12 (€299) and the Ooni Koda 16 (€599). A range of accessories is also available.

meadowsandbyrne.com

Bali Egg Chair €299 EZ Living Interiors. EZ Living Interiors.

3. EZ Living Interiors:

If you want to bag a bargain now is a great time to shop at EZ Living Interiors as their summer sale involves some seriously great discounts. The popular Bali egg chair pictured here is, for example, reduced from €499 to €299 at the time of writing while their handsome Diablo sun lounger is down from €1,099 to €549 and their New England corner group sofa with table is down from €2,499 to €999.

ezliving-interiors.ie

Shot_2 17 Dunnes Stores. Dunnes Stores.

4. Dunnes Stores:

If you’re looking for some fresh new pieces for outdoor entertaining then the Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic range at Dunnes is a great place to start. We’re loving the fun and affordable new pieces inspired by the ocean featuring a striped design with lobster and crab prints. The range includes cotton and paper napkins, ceramic tableware, colourful glassware and nautical flavoured striped linens including tablecloths and placemats.

dunnesstores.com

the_orchard-bordeaux_110cm_4_seater_dining_set-ref2107407 (1) The Orchard. The Orchard.

5. The Orchard:

The Orchard has become something of a go-to for anyone looking for a wide range of exceptional outdoor living solutions – from luxurious garden furniture and elegant dining sets to firepits and outdoor accessories. Pictured here is their Bordeaux 4-seater dining set which is elegant, durable and lightweight with weatherproof, quick drying cushions and a free cover (€890). They also stock a range of really slick firepits and baskets, outdoor beanbags by Extreme Lounging and some great outdoor lighting solutions.

theorchard.ie

Solo Stove Mesa XL Deep Olive €99.95 1 Arboretum. Arboretum.

6. Arboretum:

At the Arboretum you’ll find a brilliant range of products including neat little Berkley Bistro Set (€499) and a wide range of Weber barbecues. We love this nifty Solo Stove Mesa compact tabletop fire pit (€99.95) designed for portability and performance and perfect for smaller spaces such as patios, smaller yards and for camping.

arboretum.ie

255228 JYSK. JYSK.

7. JYSK:

For great value outdoor furniture this week, Scandi retailer JYSK is the place to be with 20 to 60 percent off selected furniture including chairs, tables, lounge sets and recliners. Running until this coming Wednesday 25th June, the Garden Furniture Days sale includes some key pieces including their Limham recliner chair in grey which is currently reduced from €149 to €60, their grey Marielyst garden table now reduced to €135 and the Ullehuse lounge set which includes a sofa, armchairs and matching table which is down from €949 to €475.

jysk.ie

processed-with-vsco-with-c1-preset AVOCA. AVOCA.

8. AVOCA:

Not only are Avoca blankets and throws the perfect solution for wrapping up as the night grows cooler outdoors but the colourful range of quirky and colourful glassware by Anna + Nina, Bloomingville and Avoca’s own range make for great gift ideas for anyone who loves to party either indoors or out. Pictured here is the Paradise Crystalline Cocktail Glass by Anna + Nina priced at €14.95.

avoca.com

2425_collection_hkliving_shoot_1_lr_-635 April and The Bear. April and The Bear.

9. April & The Bear:

Let’s be honest – it’s probably somewhat optimistic to expect the rain to stay away for the next few months so the range of rainproof furniture solutions at April & The Bear looks like a clever solution to us. Chairs and tables by Ferm Living come in a range of chic colours while these funky stools by HK Living (€169) will bring warmth and a pop of colour to any space. Made of ceramic and available in sand, coral and shell they can be used indoors and out during warmer weather.

aprilandthebear.com

penneys-ireland-primark_cj_printed_serving_plate-pink-6-eur7-ron34-pln30-czk180-ref2115681 Primark. Primark.

10. Primark:

Primark Home have some lovely bits and pieces for outdoor entertaining at the moment including lots of on trend fruit and veg inspired plates featuring everything from tomatoes to pomegranates, brightly coloured vases for the perfect centrepiece and embossed plastic tumblers perfect for picnics. Retro-inspired in juicy colours they’re perfect for when life gives you lemons (or pineapples, or strawberries…).

primark.com