Outdoors: How to Choose the Perfect Garden Seat
Take advantage of the end-of-season sales and bag a bargain that’s ideal for your outside space
Early autumn may not be the traditional time to think about furnishing your garden, but it should be! Memories of summer (and how you use the space) are fresh in your mind and, best of all, retailers are reducing their prices. So snap up some seating that suits your outside area now and prepare to feel smug when spring comes around again…
Get back to nature
Traditional (or contemporary) garden furniture can look quite out of place in a really wild outdoor space. If your garden has more in common with an untouched wilderness than a manicured lawn, consider a series of tree trunk stools instead of a table and chair set. Economical, eco-friendly and not a right angle in sight.
Traditional (or contemporary) garden furniture can look quite out of place in a really wild outdoor space. If your garden has more in common with an untouched wilderness than a manicured lawn, consider a series of tree trunk stools instead of a table and chair set. Economical, eco-friendly and not a right angle in sight.
Double up
If you’re a fan of eating alfresco as well as simply putting your feet up outside, consider chairs that cover both bases. Instead of one set of high-backed seats and another near-horizontal design, choose upholstered, supportive seats that can work on any occasion. Look for clean lines and strong colours to complement a simple, low-maintenance garden.
If you’re a fan of eating alfresco as well as simply putting your feet up outside, consider chairs that cover both bases. Instead of one set of high-backed seats and another near-horizontal design, choose upholstered, supportive seats that can work on any occasion. Look for clean lines and strong colours to complement a simple, low-maintenance garden.
Seek shelter
Nobody is expecting you to sit out in the rain, but choosing a seat that offers some protection from strong sun or chilly winds makes a lot of sense. A curved design creates a more sociable space as well as cocooning those inside from the elements.
Nobody is expecting you to sit out in the rain, but choosing a seat that offers some protection from strong sun or chilly winds makes a lot of sense. A curved design creates a more sociable space as well as cocooning those inside from the elements.
Make it match
Timber furniture is a popular choice for the garden, so if you’ll be using yours on a decked area, be sure the two materials tie in nicely. Investigate the cost of having a dining set made in the same wood as your decking – you could also incorporate useful storage in your design – or try to match up the wood stain if you find a set in a different shade.
Timber furniture is a popular choice for the garden, so if you’ll be using yours on a decked area, be sure the two materials tie in nicely. Investigate the cost of having a dining set made in the same wood as your decking – you could also incorporate useful storage in your design – or try to match up the wood stain if you find a set in a different shade.
Find a slimline solution
Metal furniture is an ideal choice if you don’t want your outside space to be dominated by chunky furniture all year round. Not only does it fill a smaller area, its thin lines make it an unobtrusive piece. Choose an exterior paint for a pop of colour or to tie it to a plant pot in a similar shade.
Metal furniture is an ideal choice if you don’t want your outside space to be dominated by chunky furniture all year round. Not only does it fill a smaller area, its thin lines make it an unobtrusive piece. Choose an exterior paint for a pop of colour or to tie it to a plant pot in a similar shade.
Be bold
Your garden is the ideal place to experiment with style. Try funky 1950s-inspired forms that combine seriously comfortable upholstery with head-turning retro shades. Even if they’re covered in waterproof fabric, it’s worth storing these undercover during the winter months. It wouldn’t be much fun digging those dinky feet out of the mud come spring.
Check out these retro looks
Your garden is the ideal place to experiment with style. Try funky 1950s-inspired forms that combine seriously comfortable upholstery with head-turning retro shades. Even if they’re covered in waterproof fabric, it’s worth storing these undercover during the winter months. It wouldn’t be much fun digging those dinky feet out of the mud come spring.
Check out these retro looks
Add colour
Wooden, metal or concrete furniture can seem a little austere, especially when it’s brand new. Soften things up with plenty of bright cushions and seat pads, in weatherproof fabric if possible. As well as looking incredibly inviting, they could be the difference between long, leisurely evenings outside and heading back in to the comfort of the sofa.
Wooden, metal or concrete furniture can seem a little austere, especially when it’s brand new. Soften things up with plenty of bright cushions and seat pads, in weatherproof fabric if possible. As well as looking incredibly inviting, they could be the difference between long, leisurely evenings outside and heading back in to the comfort of the sofa.
Do it yourself
Creating a homespun, rustic spot in which to sit couldn’t be easier. A few reclaimed pallets and some simple cushions add up to understated, affordable seating for as many people as you like.
See more clever ideas for using pallets
Creating a homespun, rustic spot in which to sit couldn’t be easier. A few reclaimed pallets and some simple cushions add up to understated, affordable seating for as many people as you like.
See more clever ideas for using pallets
Go undercover
If you have the option of locating your furniture in a space that’s outside but still undercover, the possibilities are endless. Unrestricted by weatherproof materials or pieces that are light enough to drag back inside the minute rain threatens, you can consider more ornate designs. Low-level chairs help to promote a laid-back vibe, while carved pieces, offset with vibrant textiles, could fool you into thinking you’re on holiday – especially when the sun shines.
What’s your ideal outside seat? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
If you have the option of locating your furniture in a space that’s outside but still undercover, the possibilities are endless. Unrestricted by weatherproof materials or pieces that are light enough to drag back inside the minute rain threatens, you can consider more ornate designs. Low-level chairs help to promote a laid-back vibe, while carved pieces, offset with vibrant textiles, could fool you into thinking you’re on holiday – especially when the sun shines.
What’s your ideal outside seat? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Bespoke, integral seating requires some planning, so is ideal as an autumn project. Orientate it to make the most of the sun, but remember to factor in some shade, too, in the form of strategically placed foliage.