Best overall
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
The fire pit most patios need: big enough for six, low smoke once it is hot.
See it on amazon.co.uk*Category
Outdoor Living
By the coast, the best room in the house is outside. Here we collect ideas for patios and decks, fire pits for cool evenings, light and shade, and everything that makes a beach day easier.
In short
Start with the coastal patio ideas if you are planning the space, then choose the fire: our smokeless fire pit guide explains sizes, fuel and safety. Heading to the sand? The beach chairs with shade and the packing list have you covered.
Patio & Deck
Patio and deck
Materials that like salt air, a calm palette and furniture you can leave out all summer.
AI imageCoastal patio ideas
Coastal patio ideas that work by the sea: natural materials, soft light, shade and furniture that shrugs off salt air – with shop-the-look picks.
AI imageTeak Outdoor Furniture
Why teak lasts by the sea, how to tell quality teak from cheap imitations, and how to keep it golden or let it turn silver – plus where to buy.
AI imageAdirondack Chairs
Recycled plastic, teak or cedar? How to choose an Adirondack chair that lasts by the coast – comfort, weight, care – and the chairs worth buying.
Fire Pits & Heat
Fire pits and heat
A fire extends the evening by hours. Smokeless designs keep it pleasant when people sit close.
Lights & Shade
Light and shade
String lights for the evening, umbrellas and sails for the midday sun. String lights and lanterns are part of the patio ideas; a full shade guide follows.
Beach Day
The beach day
Shade you can carry, a cooler that keeps up and a list so nothing stays at home.
AI imageBeach chairs with shade
Beach chairs with a built-in umbrella or canopy: what to look for in shade, weight and wind stability, plus the models worth carrying to the sand.
AI imagePacking list
The complete beach vacation packing list: clothes, sun protection, the beach-day bag, kids, tech and documents – split into suitcase and beach bag.
Quick picks
Three for the outdoor season
Questions readers ask
What outdoor furniture holds up best near the ocean?
Teak, powder-coated aluminum and recycled-plastic lumber; avoid bare steel, which rusts in salt air. The teak guide explains care.
Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless?
Not completely, but once hot they burn most of the smoke at the rim, so far less reaches your eyes. Dry hardwood makes the biggest difference.
How do I keep a sunny patio comfortable?
Add shade first, then light-colored surfaces and plants; a fan helps on still days.