How to Choose Garden Furniture
During the warmer months, your outdoor space becomes an extra room where you can relax, dine or entertain. And, just like your home, it has a character of its own, so it’s important to pick pieces that suit the space available. When it comes to choosing garden furniture, even the smallest outdoor oasis is worthy of some stylish furnishings. From a balcony in the city to a sprawling country lawn, join us on a garden tour to discover the different types of outdoor furniture that will help you make the most of every ray.
What Garden Furniture will Fit on a Balcony?
Living in a city centre can often mean compromising on your outdoor space, but if you are lucky enough to live in flat with a balcony or terrace, you’ll no doubt want to make the most of it. It’s likely that you’ll be limited on storage space, so the first thing you should consider when selecting your balcony furniture set is the material it’s made from, to ensure that your chosen style will weather any harsh conditions during the colder months. Our signature synthetic “rattan” is a great solution; hard-wearing and water-resistant, it looks smart come rain or shine. Teak outdoor furniture is another good option, as its properties allow it to withstand even the harshest of winters. For more advice on the best garden furniture to leave outside, read our guide to outdoor materials.
It’s not just materials you need to be mindful of, but size and shape too, as you’ll likely be working with some petite – and perhaps slightly awkward – proportions. So, how to choose garden furniture for small spaces? Stackable or foldable styles make for clever balcony furniture ideas – a bistro set, for example, will fit the most compact of areas, and can be easily tucked away when not in use. Those looking for roof terrace furniture, meanwhile, will most likely benefit from an outdoor dining set where the chairs can be nested underneath the table when not in use. If there isn’t enough space for a dining table and chairs, then a comfortable armchair and side table would make good investments.
How Can I Furnish a Small Terrace Garden?
Victorian terraced houses are full of character but, unfortunately, the same can’t always be said for their gardens, which often feature narrow side alleys and modest patios. The good news, however, is they usually have lots of potential; you just need a little imagination – plus, the right furniture and accessories.
The side alley, for example, shouldn’t be written off; it might be in shadow for most of the day, but add a dining table and a couple of dining benches and you’ve created a cool, shaded space to enjoy al fresco meals out of the midday sun. In the garden itself, modular furniture pieces are great for making sure every inch of space is used efficiently. An outdoor corner sofa offers plenty of comfortable seating for guests to relax in the sun. Add to that a combination of side tables, coffee tables and ottomans for extra surfaces and storage, and you have the perfect set-up for entertaining a small gathering.
How to Style a Suburban Semi-Detached Garden
Head out of town into the suburbs and you’ll find street after street of semi-detached houses, where back – and front – gardens typically afford more space than in the city. Here, you could create a welcoming outdoor living room with a corner sofa and coffee table. A garden trunk for storing cushions and throws – and which can also double up as a side table – comes into its own here. For those who tend to use their outdoor space for entertaining rather than lounging, a simple long wooden trestle table with benches is a classic look for any style of garden. To create a more intimate outdoor dining setting, a small garden table and chair set has a minimal footprint and can be easily covered up during the winter months when not in use.
What Type of Garden Furniture Works Best for a Country Cottage?
Close your eyes and imagine a typical British garden. Do you immediately picture a chocolate-box cottage surrounded by colourful wildflowers? Romantic, poetic and whimsical, a classic country cottage garden requires furniture that complements, rather than competes with, its surroundings.
In this kind of setting, the best outdoor furniture pieces are those crafted from natural materials – such as stone or wood – to which allows them blend into the landscape. The beauty of these styles is that they look better with age. Nestled under a weeping willow tree or inside a garden arch, a garden table set provides a picturesque spot in which to lose yourself in a good book. Just add a couple of outdoor cushions for extra comfort.
Choosing Furniture for a Manor House Garden
A bigger house often means a bigger garden to furnish. Here, understanding scale and proportion is everything – you don’t want the furniture you choose to get lost in vast surroundings. Like open-plan living, larger gardens do well when ‘zoned’ for different purposes, with each area requiring different pieces. An outdoor dining table and comfortable dining chairs are essential patio furniture, while expanses of lawn will benefit from an outdoor sofa, coffee table and some armchairs for relaxing. Aim to include a few lightweight garden chairs that can be easily moved into the shade should it get too hot. If your garden features a swimming pool, sun loungers and parasols are essentials.
The one rule that underpins your choice of garden furniture, regardless of space is this: well-designed and high-quality garden furniture is an investment, so choose pieces that will defy the outdoor furniture trends, stand up to all kinds of weather and continue to deliver comfort season after season.