Stripes, shade and a long lunch, without the membership.
One stripe
Repeated across a few pieces, so it reads as a thread.
A quiet base
Cream, canvas, timber and rattan let the colour do the talking.
Somewhere shaded
The whole look depends on wanting to stay put for hours.
The idea
There's a certain magic to a private members' club poolside in summer. Crisp stripes, relaxed seating and a hint of signature colour. Effortless, polished and indulgent, without ever looking overdone.
You don't need a rooftop pool or a membership to get the mood. The secret isn't buying everything new. It's choosing a few key pieces that do the heavy lifting, then layering them into the garden you already have. Nothing here needs a pool, either. A terrace, a balcony or a corner of a lawn all work.
The details
01
The stripe
Broad and confident rather than narrow, nodding to the classic British deckchair. Repeat one stripe across the parasol, towels, napkins and cushions. Keep the base natural and introduce the colour in red, green, blue or yellow.
02
Seating
Swap the deckchair for a director's chair. Clean lines, natural frame, a more upright seat, and considerably more comfortable for a long lunch. Style a pair around a small table, or use them alongside a larger sofa.
03
Texture
What makes stripes and colour feel sophisticated is keeping everything else quiet. Rattan, woven fibres, timber and canvas add texture without competing. A small woven side table gives you somewhere to put a drink without introducing another dominant shape.
04
Shade
The parasol isn't an accessory, it's the reason anyone stays outside past two o'clock. It's also the largest surface you own, so it's where the stripe does most of its work.
05
Light
As the sun goes, the best club gardens keep going with lanterns, table lamps and candles dotted around the seating. Warm, low and quietly glamorous. Somewhere you'd happily stay until the last drink is poured.
Get the look
The six pieces that make it work. We've done the searching so you don't have to.
Shop the Poolside Edit →Why it works
One stripe repeated across four things reads as deliberate. The same four things in four different patterns reads as a jumble sale.
WHAT TO LEAVE OUT
Stripes running in too many directions, which stops reading as a thread and starts reading as a circus tent. A second accent colour. Plastic furniture anywhere in the sightline. And bright white lighting after dark, which undoes an entire day of atmosphere in about a second.
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Questions
How do you create a members' club feel at home?
Repeat one strong stripe across a few pieces, keep everything else in natural materials, and add warm low-level lighting for the evening. Consistency does the work, not spending.
What stripe works best outdoors?
Broad rather than narrow. Narrow stripes read as busy from a distance and lose the deckchair reference entirely.
What outdoor furniture lasts in the UK?
Hardwood frames with UV-treated fabric, and anything you can fold and bring in. Powder-coated steel and rattan-effect weave also cope well with a wet winter.
How do you light a garden for evenings?
Lanterns, candles and warm festoon lighting at 2700K. Keep it low and scattered rather than bright and overhead.
Do you need a pool for the poolside look?
No. The look is about shade, stripes, comfortable seating and staying put. A terrace, a balcony or a corner of a lawn all work.
