Summer's on its way and the patio is the hotspot for relaxing and entertaining. Gabrielle Fagan reveals how to power up this versatile space

Summer's just around the corner and it's time to hit the great outdoors and turn your patio into a chic space for lounging and al fresco meals.

It's never been easier to create an 'outdoor room' with the great range of affordable, well-designed furniture available, but going that extra mile and setting the scene creatively - choose a jungle, Caribbean or a serene sanctuary theme - will ensure you have a really personal, stylish retreat.

So perk up the patio, and if you need an excuse to celebrate, it's National Barbecue Week from May 29-June 4.

ON SAFARI

Go wild outdoors and embrace the jungle-icious trend....

"With so many stunning pots and unusual plants to choose from, you could make a beautiful statement with foliage such as ferns and palms that would totally suit this look," says Caroline Harvey, furniture buyer at Wyevale Garden Centres. "Revamp plain, traditional terracotta pots by painting them in rich, tropical green shades.

"Why not make a statement with a canopy in your outdoor space? A simple piece of fabric, dyed in a colour that suits your space, will create an intimate atmosphere."

PATIO PERFECT: Evoke a sultry colonial look in a conservatory or covered terrace with a Jungle Wall Chart, £79, a cream Crochet Double Hammock, £115, and a Jungle Cushion, £30, all Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk). Ramp up that steamy atmosphere with a green Jalli Parasol, £195, from Raj Tent Club (rajtentclub.com), and my favourite outdoor light, a Seletti Black Monkey Lamp, £250, from The Glow Company (glow.co.uk). Linger over dinner at an Andreas Eucalyptus Wood Dining Table, £390 (currently reduced online to £273) on a pair of Dining Chairs with laser cut back detail, £300, Debenhams (debenhams.com).

BEST BUY: Marks & Spencer has jungle fever and their Safari Melamine Dinner Plates, set of four, £17.50, are super stylish (marksandspencer.com).

SERENE SANCTUARY

"This year, outdoor furniture is all about casual dining and modular sets, so your setting can be versatile and suit different occasions, from dining to lounging," says Harvey.

"Accessories are key to this trend so choose plenty of cushions, paired with beautiful lanterns, candles and soft lighting to make this space as comfortable and cosy as possible."

PATIO PERFECT: Next's all-weather rattan Taranto set, £1,150, has a three-seat sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table - all the ingredients for easy living and lounging. It's white planters and stands are particularly attractive: a set of two floor-standing lightweight Metal Planters, £64, and a Wall-mounted Planter, £20 (next.co.uk). If gardening's not your thing, fake it: OKA's great selection of faux plants includes an artificial Oregano Plant With Urn, £39 (oka.com).

BEST BUY: Catania Outdoor Modular Corner Unit and Middle Unit, £179 each; Outdoor Modular Ottoman, £129, Made.com

COLOUR CRUSH

Throw away caution and let rip with colour to add va-va-voom to an outdoor space that's perfect for entertaining after the sun's gone down...

"Brighten your outdoor space with Fifties silhouettes in hothouse hues," advises Nicola Gidlow, buyer for outdoor living, John Lewis.

"Practical pieces for al fresco entertaining sit happily with a selection of quirky accessories in this light-hearted look. A tropical palette and a mix of bold prints will complete the picture."

PATIO PERFECT: The House range by John Lewis specialises in design at affordable prices and its Salsa woven furniture collection comes in four shades: Saffron, Lapis, Chilli and Ceylon. Garden Sofa £110; Table, £99; Side Table, £79. The store's quirky accessories include Sunny Life Watermelon Inflatable, £23, which could be used as a cushion, and colourful Parrots, £7 each (johnlewis.com).

Get creative and paint a world you can lose yourself in. Capture a full-on Caribbean vibe by painting a garden wall bright pink or deep blue and furnishing with colourful pieces and accessories. Next's Andaman Blue Hanging Chair, £350, could be all that's needed for a statement splash of colour (next.co.uk). Clashing shades is cool and Lagoon has an Oxyo Weekend Garden Bench in Orange, £545 (vivalagoon.com), while Marks & Spencer's Miami Table and two Chairs Set, £249, comes in Lime Green (marksandspencer.com). Wyevale Garden Centres faux woven rattan Atlanta Six-seater Dining Set, £1,299, would be appropriate for that relaxed island-style look (wyevalegardencentres.co.uk). Sainsbury's punchy pink accessories, Cushions from £10 and Lily Candle, £16, and exotic pattern Melamine Platter, £10, and Serve Bowl, £8, would be ideal finishing touches (sainsburys.co.uk).

BEST BUY: Outdoor Cube Light-up Table, Moree, £190, Limelace (limelace.co.uk)