A smiling woman in a white dress with black polka dots lies on a pink blanket on the grass, holding a slice of watermelon, embracing the joy of summer. Picnic foods including tomatoes, bread, fruit, and another watermelon sit on the blanket beside her—capturing the simple pleasures of the summer season.

Summer starts here

With the heatwave still in full swing and the summer holidays officially underway, now is the perfect time to plan an unforgettable Summer 2026. Whether you’re entertaining in the garden, heading off on adventures or simply making the most of the sunshine at home, we’ve rounded up the must have gadgets, clever gizmos, family games and stylish outdoor essentials to help you savour every moment of the season.

Feasting…

A Ninja frozen treat maker dispenses soft serve ice cream into a cone on a kitchen worktop. Three filled cones, a bowl of lemons, wooden utensils, and bowls of chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles are nearby—perfect for kicking off summer activities with delicious, homemade treats. Text at bottom reads: "AT-HOME FROZEN TREAT MAKING From scooped to swirled.

Ninja CREAMi Scoop and Swirl Soft Serve and Ice Cream Maker

Bring the ice cream parlour home this summer with a soft serve machine that’s guaranteed to delight the whole family. From classic vanilla cones to indulgent dessert creations topped with your favourite treats, the possibilities are endless  making every scoop a deliciously creative experience for kids and adults alike.

Buy Now

Smeg Soda Maker

The SodaStream has had a stylish glow-up. Sleek, contemporary and designed to complement any modern kitchen, this smart gadget transforms ordinary tap water into sparkling refreshment in seconds.

Get here

A blue and white SMEG soda maker with a transparent bottle attached, showing bubbling water inside—perfect for refreshing drinks as summer begins. The machine has a modern, cylindrical design with SMEG branding on the bottle and the top front of the device, making it an ideal addition to your kitchen or summer occasions.

A hand scoops ice from a rose-gold COOKS ice maker on a marble worktop, capturing the refreshing spirit of summer. Next to it is a glass of iced drink with fruit—perfect for cooling off as summer starts. Sunlight streams through large windows in the background, illuminating green plants and completing this inviting scene.

Cooks Professional 12KG Ice Maker Machine with Scoop | Countertop 

A little everyday luxury, this clever ice maker delivers fresh ice on demand while freeing up valuable freezer space for the kids ice lollies. Perfect for everything from iced coffees to summer cocktails.

Buy here

Delivita Origin Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Nothing beats the taste of a freshly cooked wood fired pizza. Crisp, smoky and full of flavour, it’s the perfect excuse to get creative with your favourite toppings and bring authentic pizzeria style dining home.

Delivita Wood Fired Pizza Oven Chilli Red

A red and silver outdoor pizza oven with a glass front, showing a wood fire burning inside—perfect for summer activities as the weather warms up. The oven has "DELIVITA" branding on the front panel.

Two clear glass beverage dispensers with gold lids and spigots sit side by side on a raised copper-coloured metal stand—perfect for when summer starts and entertaining moves outdoors. The dispensers are labelled "Yorkshire Glassware." The stand has curved legs and holds both jars securely.

The Vintage Company Double Glass Drinks Dispenser

The ultimate summer entertaining essential, this stylish drinks dispenser keeps homemade lemonades, fruit infused waters and refreshing cocktails flowing with ease. Perfect for serving fresh drinks on tap at garden parties, barbecues and sunny afternoon gatherings.

Buy here

Alessi Juicy Salif

Brunch just got a whole lot juicier. This clever electric juicer does all the hard work, so you can enjoy fresh, vibrant juices in minutes, just add your favourite fruits and let it do the squeezing.

Alessi juicer
As summer begins, a person squeezes a lemon using a modern, silver tripod-style juicer over a glass of juice on a marble worktop. Several whole and halved lemons rest on a wooden board in the background. Warm light fills the kitchen scene, evoking the refreshing essence of summer.

Five colourful mini kegs with taps are arranged on green grass-covered blocks, capturing the playful spirit of summer. A hand reaches for the blue keg. The scene includes a small pink golf ball and tiny figurines of golfers, set against a blue, cloud-dotted sky—a vibrant tableau that signals summer starts in style.

The Ultimate Portable Party Keg

The ultimate summer entertaining essential, this stylish keg keeps your favourite drinks perfectly chilled and ready to pour. Simply fill, serve and let guests help themselves for effortless hosting.

Buy here

Playing

Giant KerPlunk Game

A childhood favourite has had a supersized makeover. This giant KerPlunk set is guaranteed to bring out everyones competitive side, proving that some games really are just as much fun for grown ups as they are for kids.

Hasbro Giant KerPlunk Game

Three children enjoy classic summer activities as they play a giant outdoor KerPlunk game on grass, smiling and pulling sticks from a tall blue plastic frame filled with colourful balls, while extra balls are scattered on the ground. Trees, a fence, and houses are visible in the background—a perfect scene for when summer starts.

As summer begins, two people play chess on a large outdoor chessboard with oversized black and white pieces on a lawn. The woman in a dress is moving a white piece, while the man in a T-shirt and shorts stands opposite her. Trees and greenery surround them, capturing the relaxed atmosphere of summer.

Giant Chess Set

Confession time,  I still don’t understand the rules of chess, but I do know a statement garden piece when I see one. This giant chess set is guaranteed to turn heads and become the talking point of every summer gathering,  you’ll certainly have the neighbours looking on with envy.

Get here

Como Pergola Pull Down Projector Screen

Outdoor entertainment is having a real moment. Take it beyond simply mounting a TV and create a dedicated outdoor cinema, where family film nights, live sport and boxset binges can all be enjoyed under the stars.

Check here
A modern pergola with grey screens sits on a stone patio at dusk, creating the perfect setting for summer activities. Inside, a wooden sofa faces a large screen showing a football match. Lush green plants and landscaping surround the scene, with a colourful sunset sky in the background—capturing that magical moment when summer starts.

Three people relax in a square inflatable hot tub on a wooden decking, enjoying classic summer activities. Two women and one man are talking and holding drinks while soaking up the atmosphere. Around the tub are potted plants, a grey rug, and a tray with snacks and a towel—essentials for when summer starts in earnest. Sunlight casts clear shadows, adding to the vibrant scene.

Wave Inflatable SPA

Dip your toe into the world of home spas with this inflatable hot tub. A brilliant entry level option, it delivers all the relaxation without the commitment or cost of a permanent installation.

Check on Amazon

Chilling

Vonhaus Hammock with Stand

The real joy of a hammock? Watching friends and family attempt a graceful exit. Equal parts relaxation and entertainment, it’s the perfect spot for lazy summer afternoons  with a few laughs guaranteed.

A red and white striped fabric hammock with a built-in side pocket is suspended on a black metal stand against a plain white background. Perfect for relaxing as summer starts, the hammock is slightly gathered at each end where it attaches to the stand.
A woman relaxes in a red-striped hammock on a patio at night, enjoying one of the simple summer activities. Fairy lights hang on a wooden fence, greenery lines the space, and a lantern and firepit provide a cosy atmosphere under the starry sky as summer starts.

Buy now

A striped outdoor corner sofa with matching ottomans surrounds a fire pit table, set with plates and drinks beside a swimming pool—perfect for summer gatherings. Fairy lights hang overhead, and greenery lines the background, creating a cosy evening patio scene as summer begins.

Jardin Large Corner Casual Dining Set 

If summer had a seating plan, this would be it.  A true garden showstopper, this stylish set with its built-in fire pit is made for long lunches, sunset drinks and evenings that linger long after the stars appear.

Check on daals

A modern outdoor swing sofa with grey cushions hangs above a round woven rug, perfectly capturing the relaxed vibe as summer starts. Next to it is a small wicker table holding two wine glasses and a bottle. A leafy tree provides shade, creating an inviting retreat for warm summer afternoons. The scene is bright and tranquil, with a white textured wall in the background.
A close-up of a hanging outdoor sofa, perfect for when summer starts, with tan rope sides in a criss-cross pattern, grey cushions, and suspended by thick ropes. The sofa sits on a textured rug, with a concrete floor and a white wall in the background.

The swing seat has had a stylish makeover — and this summer, it’s taking centre stage.

Check on homary

THE LAST-MINUTE EDIT

Ready, Set, Summer! 

Short on time but big on entertaining? These effortless finds bring the fun without the fuss…

Less mixing, more mingling: make life easier with stylish pre-made cocktails and mocktails.

Three tins labelled “MOTEL” sit on and near a cardboard box with “MOTEL” text. Three cocktail glasses contain drinks with garnishes: a lime wheel, a lime slice, and a chilli pepper—perfect for when summer starts. The background is minimalist white with diagonal shadow.

MOTH:Margarita Pack

Seven colourful, round BuzzBallz cocktails nestle in crushed ice, ready to kick off the start of summer. A hand with blue nails holds a red Cherry Limeade flavour, while other vibrant options—Choc Tease, Chilli Mango, Lime 'Rita, Horchata, Peach, and Lotta Colada—promise refreshing fun for those memorable summer moments.

BuzzBallz

Four-pack of Aperol Spritz 200ml bottles in orange cardboard packaging, featuring bold white and yellow text, branding, and serving instructions with an illustrated glass and orange slice on the front. The bottles have orange caps and are visible through the packaging—perfect for when summer starts or any vibrant summer gathering.
Get here
A tall, slim orange can labelled “(ISH) Alcohol-Free Spritz” with a yellow illustration of a cocktail glass filled with ice and a hand holding it—perfect for summer events. The can has condensation droplets and features the quote: “The only difference is how you feel. -Feli, Jef.”.
Get here

Six colourful cans of M Nitro Mocktails are lined up, ready to kick off your summer activities. Flavours shown are Sangria, Espresso Martini, Mockscow Mule, and Mockpolitan. The centre can is split open, revealing a splash of dark liquid and bubbling foam inside—perfect for those moments when summer starts to heat up.

Nitro Mocktails
A 250ml can of Tesco Finest Cherry & Almond Flavour Sour Mocktail—perfect for when summer starts. The can is white with colourful illustrations of cherries, orange slices, and almonds, and features the text: "Non-alcoholic" and "finest" branding.

Buy here

Ditch the pizza oven… cheat the pizza! Get everyone invloved with these fabulous DIY kits…

A hand uses a pizza cutter to slice a margherita pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil—an inviting scene perfect for when summer starts. Another pizza, gold cutlery, a spice jar, and a blue-striped serviette are nearby on a parchment-covered surface.

Margherita Pizza Kit

A pizza-making kit includes a pizza peel, bag of flour, tin of pizza sauce, small jar, blue scraper, wooden-handled tool, recipe card, and a brown Good In Bread box—all arranged on a white surface against a plain background—making it the perfect addition to your summer events as summer begins.

Sourdough Pizza Making Kit

No garden? No problem. Mini BBQs are the little heroes making alfresco dining possible anywhere…

As summer begins, a man in an orange shirt and checked trousers grills a bun on a small black barbecue while three women sit on a picnic blanket nearby. One person holds a tray with buns and a bag of charcoal is visible. The group is outdoors on a grassy area with trees in the background.

KAMADO BONO Ceramic BBQ Grill, 13″

Bazaar Kingston Outdoor Bean Bag

Cheap, cheerful and seriously comfy bean bags are giving garden chairs a run for their money…

A smiling woman with headphones relaxes on a bright pink bean bag chair, enjoying the carefree feeling as summer starts. She wears a white T-shirt and floral shorts. The setting is indoors with green artificial grass, potted plants, and a tray holding a glass of water and a book in the foreground.

Buy Now

Picture of Elizabeth Hayman

Elizabeth Hayman

Lizzie Hayman started her editorial career fresh out of secondary school, where she assisted in the Style department at Woman magazine. 

From there she worked her way up through the ranks to write beauty, interiors and travel features for the likes of Woman’s Own, Woman and Woman & Home.

Interiors and all things home remain to be her passion with a splash of travel thrown in.
All Posts
A pair of elegant high-heeled shoes with pointed toes, covered in shiny red fabric and intricate multicolored floral and paisley patterns, sits on a dark wooden floor—perfect for embracing your style through menopause with natural management.

Latest Articles

A woman with blonde hair in a loose bun, wearing a beige shirt and dark trousers, sits on a light sofa reading a colourful children's book titled "Donkey Doo." A large green plant is behind her. The room, filled with neutral tones and modern decor, radiates creativity—a space inspired by GEMMA COHEN's signature style.
Art & Culture

GEMMA COHEN: HOW A MISCHIEVOUS COCKER SPANIEL HELPED ME REDISCOVER MY CREATIVITY

Successful IT Project Manager and mum of two Gemma Cohen always had a creative side, but years of career and family life meant it quietly ...
July 18, 2026
A smiling woman in midlife with wavy blonde hair, wearing sunglasses and a light blue blouse, sits relaxed on a yellow deckchair outdoors in a green park. The background shows trees and grass, suggesting a sunny, pleasant day—perfect for unwinding with books or simply enjoying the moment.
Books

My Favourite Books to Support You This Summer in Perimenopause and Midlife 

Summer is here, and with it comes the best excuse there is to put down your phone, step away from the doomscrolling, and pick up ...
July 12, 2026
Art & Culture

Steampunks and the Noble Art of Teapot Racing

There are hobbies… and then there is steampunk. Part history, part fantasy, part beautifully organised eccentricity, the Steampunk movement has quietly become one of the ...
May 26, 2026
Pop icon David Van Day, speaks into a microphone at a church lectern. He stands with one hand on his chest and eyes closed, framed by stone arches, stained glass windows, and church furnishings.
Art & Culture

Sue Moxley and David van Day performing Delilah

Singing Delilah in the Church Pop icon and reality TV celebrity David van Day and his wife Sue Moxley, Elysium Lifestyle’s editor in chief, entertained villagers ...
April 28, 2026
Two abstract sculptures with bold geometric patterns in vibrant colour—red, blue, yellow, black, and white—stand on a white pedestal in an art gallery inspired by Alessandro Mendini. Modern art and sculptures enliven the gallery's crisp white walls.
Architecture

Alessandro Mendini and the Radical Poetry of Colour

Exhibition, 16 January 2026 – 10 May 2026, The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, London An Artist’s Reflection by Natalia Giacomino There are designers ...
April 12, 2026
A blonde woman in a polka dot dress enjoys leisure time reading a book on a sofa in an elegant living room.
Art & Culture

Bank Holiday Books: The Reading List You Need for this Easter Weekend

What’s the best way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend? Snuggled up on the sofa reading, of course! Here are the five reads I’m looking ...
March 21, 2026
About us
About us
Submit Article
Submit Article