Clodagh McKenna’s festive decorated garden pub is so charming – I’m using its rustic and cosy design as inspiration for my own home this Christmas

by Furnishly | Dec 7, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Clodagh McKenna has just revealed how she’s decorated her garden pub for Christmas, and I can’t stop thinking about her delightfully cosy, rustic decor.

I love having a nosey into the homes and gardens of celebrities, especially during December, when I love seeing what Christmas trend they’ve plumped for. And while not many of us have our own garden pub (I wish), Chef Clodagh’s is packed with festive inspiration you can use in other outdoor spaces of your home.

Inspired by her Irish roots, Clodagh’s cosy and traditional Christmas decor is a perfect example of how simple and natural pieces can create something that looks truly beautiful. This is how you can adopt this Christmas decorating idea for yourself.

This year, we’re seeing more and more of us decorate our outdoor spaces for the festivities. For example, Shirlie Kemp’s beautifully decorated greenhouse uses twinkling lights and foliage, and I’ve spotted many houses in my area opting for two plump firs to frame their doorways (such as Habitat’s Pack of 2 3ft Pre Lit Potted Porch Christmas Tree, £60).

‘It is becoming increasingly popular to decorate outside spaces as it extends the festive atmosphere beyond your home. Many people choose to decorate their front doors, but decorating other aspects, such as your back garden, can boost your mood and add to the festive feeling of your home,’ explains Steve Larkin, an interiors expert from Lark & Larks.

Opting for pretty terracotta pots of white cyclamen, two twinkling no ornament trees and a large mustard bow on her pub front door, Clodagh has opted for a natural, simple design. But together, it creates a cosy yet romantic look that feels very festive.

‘Clodagh’s decor choices use a lot of white and gold, which are similar to red and green in that they are seen as traditionally festive colours. White can be used to represent peace, and it also invokes thoughts of snow, with gold often used to symbolise the gifts of the wise men and the star of Bethlehem in the traditional Christmas story. The trees are also decorated with pine cones, which add a rustic aesthetic to the decor that pairs with the appearance of the ‘pub’,’ says Steve.

Inside, it’s even cosier. With traditional decor such as foliage garlands, dried oranges, pine cones, dried flowers, lots of red and green baubles and of course, the stunning log burner, the pub looks like it’s stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

Clodagh also mentions she wanted to add a few things from Ireland. This includes her ‘Is Maith Liom Santa’ cushion, which means ‘I like Santa in Irish’, and came from Dunnes. The cushion is no longer online, but there is a festive ‘Nollaig’ Cushion for £10.00, which translates to ‘Christmas’.

How to get the look

One of the most noticeable aspects of Clodagh’s festive decor is her pots of pretty cyclamen, which you can pick up at most garden centres and florists at this time of year. Known for their colourful blooms and long flowering periods, it’s easy to see why this festive flower is a popular choice. And in Clodagh’s garden, they have a romantic and whimsical effect.

‘Cyclamen are a good choice for flowers at Christmas, as they come in traditional festive colours like red and white, and they have uniquely patterned leaves. They can also flower through the winter months, providing a splash of colour when other plants may still be dormant,’ says Steve.

Cyclamen is a beautifully festive plant, so make sure to add pots of it to your garden. Pine cones are also a must – add them to your tablescape, Christmas tree and garlands.

To further get the look, you can make your own orange garland by dehydrating them in an air fryer. Also, opting for warm-toned fairy lights for both inside and outside to create a cosy glow.

I don’t think you can beat traditional, cosy decor. It’s welcoming and rustic, yet still stylish, and I’ve not seen it done much better than in Clodagh’s garden pub.

These bestselling £20 net lights from Amazon will transform your garden into a winter wonderland in no time – and you can throw them over anything

by Furnishly | Dec 5, 2025 | Design Inspiration

If you’re looking for an affordable, super simple but super effective way of turning your garden into a winter wonderland this season, I’ve found just the thing: LED net lights.

Yes, these Ollny Net Lights are just £20 at Amazon, and they’re taking reviewers by storm. If you’re wondering how to light outdoor trees for Christmas, they’re an absolute no-brainer – you simply throw them over whichever tree or shrub you want to decorate, and the job’s done.

The job, might I add, is a magical one: the results are gorgeous, especially on a tree or hedge. You can use the lights over fences and other outdoor features, too. Here’s everything you need to know.

Ollny’s LED net lights are sold as 3m by 2m lengths, so they’re the perfect size for a hedge or small tree. They’re available in three colours – warm white, cool white and multi-coloured – but the warm white is my favourite (that’s what I always go for when I buy outdoor lighting, though!).

The LEDs are arranged on diamond-shaped netting, so wherever you hang them, you’ll get a nice, even distribution of lights. In fact, reviewers say they look ‘very impressive’ once they’re up, and celebrate how easy they are to set up in the first place. You’ll just need to roll them up carefully when you pack them away for the year so they don’t tangle in the box (but the same goes for most Christmas lights!).

It really is just a case of throwing or draping them over a tree or hedge, giving them a little adjustment, and enjoying the display. It saves all that time carefully winding fairy lights around a tree, only to step away and realise you’ve laid them wrong.

At £20, I didn’t think the lights would be customisable – but you can toggle between eight lighting modes (including fades and flashes) and four different brightness levels to adjust the lighting to whatever atmosphere you’re aiming to create.

I’m always a little cautious about using Christmas lights on plants in case of burns, but these ones are safe because they’re LEDs. They’re also weatherproof, with an IP67 rating, so you can be sure they’ll survive any snow and rain we see over the coming months.

They can even be used indoors – Ollny says the net lights are ‘perfect for porches, windows, walls, and bedrooms or embellishing Christmas trees, hedges, fences, gazebos, and gardens,’ so they really are an all-rounder. I remember hanging similar lights on the wall of my university house’s living room, and all six of us vouched for the magical feel they brought to the space (they had a twinkle option, too!).

The only downside is that they’re mains-powered, so chances are, you’ll need to find a suitable outdoor extension lead – but they do come with a timer and a memory function, so you can set the lights to come on at specific times of the day and avoid energy wastage.

Other outdoor LED net lights

At just £19.99, Ollny’s outdoor LED net lights are a no-brainer. They’ll transform your garden into a twinkling Christmas grotto in the blink of an eye, and they take the guesswork out of manually decorating a tree or hedge with lights.

You’d never guess this narrow garden shed was hiding a fully-functioning workshop

by Furnishly | Sep 22, 2025 | Design Inspiration

If you thought your garden didn’t have enough space for a workshop or even a shed, then think again, as this tiny workshop proves.

This small garden shed idea, built by Mike Robinson, an engineer from Plumstead, South-East London, has just been awarded the title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year after he entered it into the ‘workshop/studio’ category. Selected by a judging panel as the overall winner, this small but mighty shed impressed with its genius space-saving structure.

Mike built the tiny workshop after he couldn’t find an off-the-shelf shed small enough to fit in with his small garden ideas. Instead, he built the shed himself using two sets of heavy-duty steel shelving, bolted together and clad in wood.

When not in use, the shed looks just like a narrow storage shed, painted in Black Ash by Cuprinol, blending seamlessly into the garden. However, the clever door flaps double the size of the tiny workshop when opened, one opens and becomes the floor, the other becomes a roof offering rain protection.

The DIY tools are housed in a neat desk set-up, with no inch of surface space wasted. Even the folding panels that hold open the upper door flap have been hung with various tools for easy access. But that isn’t the only smart space-saving more; an overhanging green roof helps blend the garden in with the surrounding nature, and provides somewhere to store garden tools.

‘We needed a good bit of storage for the garden necessities. Off-the-shelf options would have taken up too much room so we went with a DIY design and build,’ says Mike. ‘I think ‘The Tiny Workshop’ has worked a treat. It’s a creative space where I can tinker and mend, as well as have the storage space for garden stuff, kids’ games and tools.’

This isn’t just a practical space; every detail has been considered right down to the door handles made from old spanners. ‘I designed brackets for the old spanner handles with a 3D printer – they’re useful and give a clue to what is inside,’ he adds.

‘In a difficult time of paying more and getting less, ‘The Tiny Workshop’ is a shining example of what can be achieved even in the most compact of spaces,’ praises Andrew Wilcox, founder and head judge of Cuprinol Shed of the Year.

‘Traditionally, sheds have just been seen as somewhere to store your tools, or perhaps somewhere to potter and play – ‘The Tiny Workshop’ takes this seemingly basic concept and turns into something so inspired but also still very practical, and truly nothing like we’ve seen before in this competition’s history,’ he adds.

Get the look

Have you been inspired to get creative with your garden shed?

Moonlighting is the breakout garden trend for autumn – experts reveal how to give your outdoor space a whimsical glow

by Furnishly | Sep 6, 2025 | Design Inspiration

September is here, and while that means the return of all things pumpkin spice (yay), it also means the evenings are getting darker earlier (boo). But, there is a glimmer of light in the evening’s newfound darkness, and that is a whimsical new outdoor lighting trend to keep us illuminated all autumn long.

Moonlighting is the breakout garden lighting idea for the autumn and one of the best ways to create a cosy, ambient atmosphere in your garden as you relax by a fire pit or the best patio heater on milder evenings.

Inspired by the moon, this trend mimics the glow of the moon by subtly casting shadows and creating soft, dappled light reminiscent of moonbeams. Here’s how to do it in your garden.

What is moonlighting?

Moonlighting adds a whimsical and nostalgic touch to your garden. If you’ve strived for the fairytale garden look all summer, this is definitely a trend for you.

‘As summer slowly draws to a close and the evenings begin to get darker, outdoor lighting will help you make the most of your garden in the autumn and winter months. There are many ways you can place lighting to create the right ambience, and moonlighting is a lovely, subtle way to bring a cosy, atmospheric feel to your garden’ says Adam Wilkins, managing director at Lighting Legends.

‘Moonlighting is a trend we’ll be seeing more of over the coming months, thanks to the soft, cosy atmosphere it provides. Using this effect will make you feel as though you’re wrapped up in nature, with gentle light filtering through just like moonlight.’

How to get the look

To create a moon-lit look, you’ll want to pay attention to creating pools of light in your garden, as if moonbeams are beaming down.

‘Placing lights high in trees or on elevated structures creates a natural play of light and shadow that evokes the romance of a full moon. Solar lights offer a warm, understated radiance for this technique, illuminating with elegance while preserving a dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for evening gatherings or quiet moments outdoors,’ advises Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman.

You can also include ground lights to accentuate the main beams coming down from your trees or fences. This summer, we saw the globe light trend making its way into every garden, so why not continue the trend with these stunning lights? In fact, Habitat’s Solar Mood Light (was £25, now £16.63) looks just like a moon, giving the trend a little more emphasis.

Shop the look

‘Autumn evenings arrive earlier, and by utilising this trend, you can maximise your time in the garden. Crisp autumn evenings are perfect for cosy firepit gatherings and outdoor dinners; this trend allows you to light these outdoor retreats in an ambient and comfortable light setting. The beauty of autumn is also accented, highlighting reds and amber colour tones that are naturally occurring,’ concludes Jamie Moxey, lighting expert at Dusk Lighting.

‘It makes a garden feel a bit more welcoming and makes it easier to navigate patios and garden paths after dark. Ensuring a mix of practicality as well as aesthetics. It’s a really good way of highlighting any garden features as well, without subjecting them to harsh lights that startle more than enhance.’

Are you feeling inspired to try it in your garden?

‘Everyone fights over who is going to get it first’ – shoppers can’t stop raving about Argos’ foldable sun lounger, it’s now £40 in the sale

by Furnishly | Aug 22, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Even though the summer is slowly coming to an end, we still have some days of glorious weather left in the tank this year. Not to mention that this is one of the best times to nab some great outdoor furniture bargains – much like the Argos folding wooden sun lounger, which is currently selling for £40 in the retailer’s big sale.

Argos’ own outdoor offering often gets overshadowed by Habitat garden furniture which the retailer also stocks. But you can find some of the best garden furniture at even better prices in the Argos range – the rattan-effect garden sofa set and this sun lounger are the perfect examples.

The stylish yet affordable sun lounger in question was originally selling for £100. But in the sale, the price has been slashed by half to £50 – and Argos is currently offering an extra 20% off promotion with the code EXTRA20 applied at checkout, bringing the total to £40.

Why should you invest in the Argos sun lounger?

If this bargain of a garden furniture deal wasn’t quite enough to convince you – which is fair enough – then let me present to you my other reasons for recommending this product.

For starters, existing customers can’t seem to get enough of this lounger as the product boasts over 330 five-star reviews.

One shopper wrote, ‘I bought this lounger for my garden. At the time I didn’t need it, but it was in the sale. It’s is so comfortable and everyone fights over who is going to get it first. I will be getting another one this year!’

Another customer review reads, ‘I bought this sun lounger and can see it’s going to be my star purchase this summer! Very sturdy, pre-assembled do only two steps to completely put it together, looks great in the garden! Easy pick up from Argos, fitted in the boot with the seats down.’

Another reason is that it makes for the perfect small garden idea since the design can be folded away for easy storage. With Google searches for ‘foldaway sun lounger’ rising by 110% just in the last week alone, it looks like this feature is sought after by many.

What to style it with

Last but not least, it looks really chic and so much more expensive than it actually is. What more could you ask for?