The Ideal Garden Setup for Evenings Under the Stars
This International Astronomy Day is a reminder to pause, look up, and connect with the sky, and you don’t need to travel far to enjoy it. Your own garden can be the perfect place for an evening of stargazing.
With the right setup, every clear night becomes an opportunity to relax under the stars, and in this blog, we’ll share ideas on how the right garden features can help you create a garden designed for nights like these.
How to Design a Garden Made for Stargazing Nights
1. Building the Perfect Stargazing Base
A solid foundation makes stargazing even more enjoyable. Decking provides a stable, weather-resistant platform that keeps you above damp grass and uneven ground, with our hardwood and composite decking options designed to withstand years of outdoor use.
For those who want to enjoy the night sky whatever the forecast, an oak gazebo offers shelter without blocking your view. Crafted using traditional joinery, our gazebos provide cover for seating areas, firepits, or even a hot tub, so evenings under the stars remain comfortable long after the sun goes down.
The right seating is equally important. Whether it’s a well-placed bench or individual chairs, our garden furniture combines style with the robust materials needed to remain outdoors year-round.
2. Adding Warmth and Atmosphere
When the temperature drops, a firepit becomes the heart of a stargazing evening. It provides warmth and a natural focal point, encouraging everyone to gather closer as the night sky comes into view. Positioning furniture around a firepit also creates an effective layout. Chairs and benches angled towards the flames allow for conversation, while still leaving sightlines open for skywatching.
A lot of our firepits are made from high-quality corten steel. This resilient metal weathers naturally, developing a protective patina that resists corrosion and blends into natural environments.
3. Some Practical Touches
Cushions and throws will make benches or chairs more comfortable, while low-level lighting helps guide the way without overpowering the stars. Warm-toned lanterns or subtle solar lights, for example, are more than enough to create an atmosphere without spoiling the night sky.
You should also be sure to look after your setup. Our decking can be left to weather naturally, or treated with oils that protect against the elements while bringing out the character of the wood. With minimal upkeep, it can remain a reliable base outdoors.
For firepits, choosing the right fuel makes a difference. We supply both seasoned firewood and eco-nuggets, which are made from recycled timber offcuts. Easy to light and clean to burn, they provide a sustainable way to keep the flames going late into the night.
Stargazing in the UK – What to Look For
Once your garden is ready, the real reward is in the night sky itself. Even from a suburban garden, some constellations are easy to spot.
- Ursa Major (The Great Bear / The Plough): Visible year-round, this is one of the simplest patterns to find. Its ‘plough’ shape points towards Polaris, the North Star.
- Cygnus (The Swan): Best in summer and autumn, its brightest star, Deneb, forms part of the ‘Summer Triangle’.
- Cassiopeia: A distinctive W-shaped group of stars that stays visible much of the year in northern skies.
- Orion: Best in winter, instantly recognisable by the three stars in its ‘belt’, along with the bright red star Betelgeuse and blue-white Rigel.
Celebrate International Astronomy Day from Your Own Garden
Stargazing at home is a simple yet memorable way to enjoy the night sky, turning clear evenings into lasting experiences. Explore our full range today and find the pieces that will make your garden the perfect base this International Astronomy Day.
