Three colour combinations for a south-facing terrace

What full sun does to colour

Strong direct light bleaches the eye as much as the fabric. Pale colours wash out to white; mid-tones lose their depth. Dark colours get hot to sit on. And any printed fabric on a south-facing terrace is visibly faded by August. So the brief is: colours with enough weight to read in glare, not so dark they cook, in a fabric that does not fade.

1. Terracotta, sand and olive

The classic terrace palette because it works. Terracotta reads strongly in sun without being hot, sand bounces light, olive gives shade. Use sand for most cushions, terracotta for a third, one or two olive. Fabrics: Domino Terracotta, Lopi Sand, Natté Reseda. Suits stone, grey rattan, teak.

2. Navy, natural white and a stripe

Navy is the one dark colour that stays cool enough; it also anchors a bright terrace. Natural white (not optical white, which glares) for the rest, and one navy-and-white stripe per seat. Fabrics: Natté Marine, Solids Naturel, Yacht Stripe Navy. Suits white metal, pale wood, poolside.

3. Lemon, white and charcoal

For a modern terrace: a strong yellow that sun cannot flatten, white to carry it, charcoal to stop it looking like a children's party. Yellow on a third of the cushions at most. Fabrics: Connect Lemonade, Flagship White, Solids Charcoal. Suits black or white aluminium, concrete, rendered walls.

Hot to sit on?

Dark cushions in direct sun get warm. Sunbrella® is a woven, breathable fabric and does not get as hot as a coated or vinyl one, but charcoal in July will still be warmer than sand. Keep dark colours to the back cushions and use lighter ones on seats.

The fabric is the point

A south-facing terrace is the hardest test for colour. Solution-dyed acrylic is the only fabric that passes it over years; see why it does not fade and the warranty. For gardens with less sun, the palettes in colour ideas for British light go warmer.