12 playful designs to add happy optimism to the garden

When the sun is shining it's easy for our outdoor spaces to become our happy places - somewhere to soak up the Vitamin D and immerse ourselves in the mood-boosting super-powers of nature.

These colourful garden objects - from playful garden seating to bright and zingy picnic blankets and serotonin-boosting plant pots - are guaranteed to amplify the happy when the sun is shining, and help banish the blues and put a smile on your face, even when the weather outside is grey. 

For the ultimate outdoor round-up check out our guide to the best garden furniture, otherwise, delight in these bouyant brights that will bring joy to the everyday. 

(Image credit: Business & Pleasure)

Nothing says summer like a striped deckchair, and you can embrace old-school Riviera style to the max with this laidback deckchair and matching yellow garden parasol.

Want still more stripe in your life? There's also a coordinating cooler bag, sunshine yellow beach tote and shade-delivering tent canopy for the ultimate in beach-day-trip vibes. Just pass us the suncream, please.

• Find more outdoor lounging options in our edit of this year's best sun loungers.

(Image credit: Heating & Plumbing)

With outside meet-ups the new norm, bring the joy wherever you go with this easy-to-carry picnic blanket in rainbow hues.

The herringbone-patterned 100% wool upper is lined with a water-resistant backing to prevent ground moisture from spoiling the fun, and the handy leather strap is easy to hook onto a bike or backpack for lunch on the move.

(Image credit: Driade)

Designed by Faye Toogood, the curvaceous shape of the Roly Poly armchair is guaranteed to raise a smile in the garden.

The naive, almost child-like form has been carefully crafted by Toogood to be "bold, joyful and spontaneous", and bridge the gap between functionality and conceptual design.

The sculptural chair can be used indoors or out, with a choice of colours from Flesh Pink to Cement, Peat Brown and Yellow Ochre.

(Image credit: Petite Friture)

Sashay the drinks into the garden in style with this smart drinks trolley available in a selection of pic-n-mix colours. 

Designed by the French studio BrichetZiegler, the powder-coated aluminium frame and easy-to-manoeuvre wheels mean - with a little careful driving - you won't spill a drop of drink.

Opt for brilliant blue, sunshine yellow, or pastel pink - along with plenty more understated options - in this handy cocktail deliverer that's as happy indoors as out.

(Image credit: Heal's)

Awarded the Design Guild Mark in 2016, the Eos outdoor furniture collection offers a multitude of versatile pieces perfect for a contemporary outdoor space. 

The outdoor dining table in the Rust colour option, is, ironically, designed to do anything but. The powder-coated aluminium makes for a rust-resistant finish that's crafted to be left outdoors in any weather - although handily the table can be dismantled for space-saving storage should you wish.

Pair with the matching outdoor armchairs and garden dining bench for modern alfresco dining.

(Image credit: Fatboy)

There's no need for tangled cables or outdoor electrical sockets with the Bolleke lamp. 

Simply charge the energy-efficient LED light via the USB connection and use the colourful rubber loop to hang anywhere you want. 

Perfect for illuminating evenings in the garden, the waterproof globe has three light settings to create an intimate ambiance. 

(Image credit: Maisons Du Monde)

Give tired patio paving an instant update with this graphic sunshine yellow outdoor rug, or eliminate the damp by laying over grass so you can picnic on still-not-quite-dry turf.

The water-resistant design is made from 100% polypropylene so it can be fully recycled at the end of its life. 

(Image credit: Ames)

Travel to more tropical climes in your imagination, if not in body, with Sebastian Herkner’s collection for Ames. 

Inspired by the creative exuberance of South America, this high-backed outdoor bench is woven by hand by local craftspeople in Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. 

Using the ‘momposino’ weaving technique traditional to the area, threads of brightly coloured recycled plastic are braided to create a vibrant, eco-conscious design. 

(Image credit: Jennifer Newman)

Switch up your planting whenever you feel like it with these versatile indoor/outdoor wheeled planters.

Perfect for manoeuvring this month's best specimen into prime position on the patio - without any heavy lifting - the lightweight powder-coated aluminium planter has lockable castors, so your pride and joy will stay where you left it, even on a slope.

Even better, unlimited options of RAL paint colours allow you to opt for as much colour as you like, adding cheer to the garden even when the flowers aren't blooming.

(Image credit: Magis)

Choose from all the colours of the rainbow in the fluid curving lines of the Raviolo armchair. 

Conceptualised by architect and designer Ron Arad, the chair is typical of his fascination with the balance between sculpture and function.  

Exploring the possibilities of materials and technology, the chair's form is crafted from one continuous piece of rotational moulded polyethylene, contrasting a ridged outer surface with smooth inner.

(Image credit: Graham & Green)

Inspired by vintage matchbox designs, this quirky collection of brightly coloured seat cushions is perfect for throwing onto a bistro set or outdoor seating to add comfort and colour. 

Choose from a range of graphically illustrated bird designs, from a vibrant parrot to lively lovebirds and a spirited cockerel. 

(Image credit: Ames)

The happiness-inducing Maraca lounge chair celebrates the traditional skills of the indigenous Zenús women from Columbian Bolivar. 

Hand-dyed with seeds, leaves, nuts and roots, that are fixed with salt and natural starch to create the vibrant colours, the chair's cotton sling-back seats are adapted from the womens' traditionally woven hammocks.

Bright, beautiful and breathing new life into traditional craftsmanship, the collection will uplift even the dullest of days.

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Find more Happy Homes ideas in our dedicated round-up, from Kelly Wearstler's top tips for painting your home happy, to Yinka Ilori's exuberant home decorating advice and Oliver Heath's biophilic design ideas to make your home a happier place to be.