The Outdoor Cushions That Gave Our Garden a Boutique-Hotel Makeover
Yard outdoor cushions – By Rachel Ducker
A beautiful outdoor living space doesn’t happen with one grand gesture, but is built around the smallest finishing touches; the cushions, the throws, the textures that layer together to elevate functional garden furniture into somewhere you actually want to spend time.
For summer this year, I’ve styled our outdoor furniture with a range of cushions and throws from Yard, mixing warm pecan tones, classic stripes, and understated checks to give our outdoor space a relaxed, boutique-hotel feel.
Bringing the Indoors Outside
Outdoor spaces are an ever-increasing extension of our homes, and just like our living rooms, we want them to feel comfortable, well-considered and inviting; but all whilst remaining resistant to Britain’s wonderfully unpredictable climate.
For our larger seating arrangement, the starting point for the look was the Hayle Outdoor Cushion in Pecan. Its warm, earthy colouring instantly softened the garden furniture while the simple, striped design added interest without being overwhelming.
The 50cm Hayle cushion is made from 100% outdoor-treated cotton and is double-sided with a wider stripe on one side than the other, enabling you to change the style slightly depending on your mood. An Oxford border and water-resistant finish mean it not only looks great but is practical too.
Layering Patterns and Textures
Rather than choose a matching set of cushions, I was keen for the garden to feel more as though it had been put together over time. I found that mixing and matching patterns in similar tones actually helped create a more relaxed and interesting finish.
Complementing the striped Hayle cushion, I chose some of Yard’s smaller, plain Holmfirth Canvas Outdoor Cushions in Pecan. Their simpler style helped balance out the statement print while adding a different shape and size to the arrangement.
The 45cm Holmfirth cushion is made from robust 100% outdoor-treated canvas, offering a plain base and a pared-back colour, along with a smart Oxford border, it acts as a great companion to patterned pieces.
For our smaller garden furniture set, I added some of the Chesil Check Outdoor Cushions in Pecan. These traditional checks offer a slightly more country-inspired nod without ever looking dated.
Made from 100% outdoor-treated cotton with a zipped Oxford border, the 50cm double-sided check cushion looks fantastic alongside the Hayle stripes in the same pecan tones, tying the looks together without appearing too matchy-matchy.
The Final Layer
To finish the look, a throw is an absolute essential, especially when the sun can go down incredibly quickly in Britain.
The Hedon Woven Indoor/Outdoor Throw in Natural added the finishing touch. This neutral throw adds another element of texture to the grouping without distracting from the cushions, thanks to a subtle linear stripe and fringed edging.
The 130x180cm Hedon throw is machine washable at 30°, offers great quick-drying, durable qualities and is perfect for draping across a garden chair or adding to a larger seating area if you need an extra cover against the evening chill.
How to Mix Outdoor Cushions Successfully
My key to mixing cushions is finding an element that ties them all together, which was definitely the colour palette for this outdoor arrangement.
The Hayle stripes provided the strong, visual base, the Chesil checks added contrast and an alternative pattern, and the plain Holmfirth cushions gave the eyes a place to rest. The neutral Hedon throw then softened the look overall and stopped the darker shades from looking too heavy.
I also found that using a variety of sizes created a much fuller and more inviting outdoor space; this also ensured that we had larger cushions for support at the back and slightly smaller ones, layered in front, for the shoulders and head.
Style Without Sacrificing Practicality
The fantastic thing about Yard’s range is the comfort and style you get without sacrificing functionality. These cushions make our garden furniture feel just as comfortable and luxurious as the indoors, and transformed the seating area into somewhere that suits everything from enjoying a quiet coffee in the morning to family lunches and warm summer evenings. They show how with the right accessories, you can truly make your garden furniture feel brand new!
Our garden now feels warm, inviting and well-styled without looking too contrived that we are almost afraid to use it! And with three kids running around, this is the perfect blend!
The Yard products featured were kindly gifted for inclusion in our outdoor lifestyle shoot. All words and opinions are my own.
