11 garden furniture ideas to give life to your outdoor space

Whether you have a large, sprawling garden or a petite courtyard, experimenting with garden furniture ideas can really transform your outdoor living experience.

Even the best garden furniture around only works if it makes sense and suits the needs of the space it's in. And if you're working with existing outdoor furniture, you may need to restyle items to make sure they truly feel at ease in the location.

'Garden furniture goes far beyond a practical level of simply providing somewhere to sit,' says Charlie Alexander, founder of Oxenwood. It can also be a statement piece and an eye-catching design feature, and so requires careful consideration to make it part of the wider garden scheme.'

From family get-togethers and alfresco evening dining to a solitary mid-morning coffee outdoors, our gardens have to work hard to accommodate all our needs. Knowing how to choose outdoor furniture is key to making any outdoor space more usable.

Of course, there's lots to think about, whether you're looking to buy a brand new seating set or mix in a few additional pieces with your existing furniture. What material should you go for, what type of furniture would work best, and how will it fare in the non-summer months?

We've come up with a range of garden furniture ideas to give you some inspiration, as well as advice from the experts on how to care for your chosen pieces.

1. Paint wooden garden furniture in on-trend colours

You can make a real statement in the garden using on-trend paint colours, perfect for painting existing outdoor furniture.

The Cuprinol Garden Shades collection includes the trendy Coral Splash, available at B&Q. 'A shade reminiscent of beach huts, sorbet and joyful florals, Coral Splash is summer in a paint can,' says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Cuprinol. 'This colour is perfect for those who have been enjoying the dopamine decorating trend – where we’ve been coating our walls in colours that make us smile – with this happy pop of colour guaranteeing grins all season long.'

Get the look

2. Tailor seating to a fire pit

If you want to enjoy your garden long after the sun's gone down then a key piece of garden furniture will be any one of our best fire pits, like the Rammento Cast Iron Fire Pit from Amazon. Not only will it help keep you warm, but it's also a fun way to entertain kids, toasting marshmallows with the flickering glow adding extra light.

It's important to consider which seating you'll use, too. 'The fire pit is a place where family and friends come to gather to share stories. Therefore, getting the seating right is key,' says Joanna Humphrey, Fire and Stove Specialist at Direct Stoves. 'When positioning your fire pit, consider not only the type you have but also the space you have available.

'For a low-base fire pit, we would recommend opting for seating positioned at a similar height. This will create a cosier, more intimate setting, perfect for an evening with friends under the stars. To complete the look, angle your seating around the fire pit with all seatings facing in for a more conversational feel.'

3. Give wooden furniture a new lease of life

If you're on a budget or would prefer to work with what already have, a thrifty garden furniture idea is to give your wooden furniture collection a makeover with some clever outdoor furniture upcycling.

'Clean the furniture thoroughly, making sure you use the right cleaner for your furniture’s wood,' says Hudson Lambert, upcycling expert at Roxil. 'For hardwood, we’d recommend a biodegradable cleaner which you can spray on, leave for an hour, then spray off with plenty of water.

'For softwood, try a wood scrub like Roxil Wood Scrub Gel, available at Amazon. Add water to the wood’s surface before applying the gel to aid workability, then leave it for an hour, and scrub with a hard brush.

'At this stage, also check for damage that might need repairs such as securing a loose chair leg. If the furniture has existing layers of varnish or paint, you must also strip or sand the wood to completely remove it.'

Hudson Lambert

Hudson Lambert is Roxil’s resident upcycling expert and managing director with over 25 years of industry experience. Safeguard Europe (the umbrella brand of Roxil) was founded in 1983 by Hudson's father.

4. Create an outdoor living room

With our outdoor spaces often used as an extension of our homes, it's no surprise that we're turning them into replicas of the living space we have inside, ready for us to socialise, work and entertain. Think of these outdoor living rooms as you would were they indoors, decorating with items such as an L-shaped sofa, coffee table, rugs and pouffes – even a mirror on the wall and layers of lighting. We love the Amberley Sofa Set from Garden Trading.

'How you style the space and the furniture you choose needs to be adaptable to suit various purposes,' says JYSK's Rikke Blaeside. 'To create the ultimate outside living room, use furniture and accessories that are not traditionally associated with outdoors, such as soft furnishings like cushions and blankets.'

'Adding garden lighting ideas is also a key element of creating a cosy outside area. Using lights in a warm tone helps to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in a usually cooler environment.'

'You could also create zones and sectioned areas within the garden itself,' Rikke continues. 'Using outdoor rugs, fencing and furniture is a great way to zone off the different living areas from the rest of the outside to give the illusion of a distinctive, designated living space.'

5. Build bench seating

Built-in seating works beautifully if you have a compact garden, but smaller spaces aren't the only gardens they excel in… neat, minimalist lines give this style of seating a modern look and can also provide additional garden storage should you want it.

When planning your seating, consider building planters into the top of the backrest for plants and shrubs, along with a lift-up seat lid to store cushions when not in use – and don't forget to make sure the seat itself is deep enough that it's comfortable whether you're sitting or laying on it!

6. Dine in style

Eating and drinking outside is a huge part of being able to enjoy our gardens, which is where outdoor dining ideas come in. These days there's a huge choice of pieces available, from small circular tables to larger designs with built-in fire pits, bench seats and armchairs, as well as sets like the Tan Stockholm Garden Corner Dining Set from Next where you benefit from both a sofa and dining table.

Think about the colours and materials you might like, whether it's a soft, rattan country style, or something more Scandi in style, such as this black rope design with its angled blonde wood legs. Whichever you choose, make sure you go for one with comfortable cushions if you're planning on spending a leisurely amount of time sitting down.

7. Find room for a bistro table

Sometimes the spot that catches the most sun in the morning isn't the area you want your dining or sofa set to sit, so why not add a bistro table and chairs to the mix and use them to enjoy breakfast as the sun goes up, or a glass of wine at the end of the day?

Bistro sets also make a great choice for smaller outdoor spaces, when you don't have room for larger pieces of furniture. 'A compact space needn’t stop you from investing in garden furniture,' says Andy Baxter, MD at Maze. 'Bistro and bar sets work well, especially for city living, where a small patio or balcony is more common.'

This French-style furniture comes in many colours, so it's easy to choose one that works with your scheme, whether you're looking for a shade to blend in, or one to add a bright burst of vibrancy. We love the Eloise Bistro Set from Homebase.

8. Enjoy entertaining with a bar

Having become increasingly popular in the last few years, a garden bar is just as fun whether you're serving up exotic cocktails to guests or mixing yourself a G&T for happy hour. Of course, you can DIY a bar yourself by converting a shed or building your own garden tiki bar. But there are also some great ready-made options to buy, which you can personalise with a few bar signs, stools and drinks-related accessories.

9. Design a stylish seating spot

Sometimes all you want is a place to sit and read or enjoy the sunshine, which is where a few individual chairs can come in handy – and if you choose ones that are lightweight, they can easily be moved to wherever you need them. Pull them out into the sun (or a shaded area), or use them as extra seating for dining, indoors or out, when needed.

Your garden chairs don't have to be formal to make a big impact, either. A mix of metal and rattan gives the seating a relaxed feel, while a large coffee table offers a spot for drinks.

10. Incorporate a swing chair

What's a garden these days if you haven't got a hanging chair of some description? Stylish, comfortable and totally Instagrammable, there's nothing nicer than feeling the soft sway as you sit – or doze! – on a swinging chair.

One of the most popular shapes is the egg chair, which looks just as good indoors as it does out and features an open weave design and cocooning, pod-like seat. Ideal for patios, decking or even in a conservatory, as long as your swing chair has its own frame, then you can move it in and out as the weather dictates. The Frampton hanging egg chair from The Cotswold Company is a classy option.

11. Lounge on an outdoor day bed

Create an area to relax with a daybed that you can lounge on, complete with a canopy overhead to offer shade when needed. Here, the space has been given an exotic feel, with bold colours used on both the exterior wall behind and piles of luxurious cushions, while a large vibrant rug creates a carpet to step out onto. Natural materials for a side table and planters keep it feeling relaxed rather than too formal. We love the Verdaccio Outdoor Rug from The Rug Seller.

'A simple way to add a softness to your outdoor space is through the addition of weatherproof rugs and cushions in bright colours, helping to further blur the lines of inside and out,' says Rikke Blaeside. 'These added accessories will help to create a welcoming feel in the garden and take it from average to amazing.'

FAQs

What garden furniture can be left outside all year?

'Don't forget that everything requires upkeep and maintenance to keep things in the best condition possible, says Caron Grant, brand manager at Bridgman. 'So, make sure you choose garden furniture that aligns with the level of maintenance that you’re realistically able to provide.'

When shopping for outdoor furniture, look for collections which are designed to withstand the elements, such as Bridgman’s All Weather Furniture. Whatever the weather, frost, snow, rain or shine, this type of furniture is specially designed to require little to no maintenance making it the perfect investment for those looking for longevity in the garden.

'Luckily, thanks to modern innovations, a lot of garden furniture is designed to be left outside all year round so, with just a little TLC, you can keep your garden furniture looking its best season after season.'

'However, for periods of non-use, we do recommend buying garden furniture covers for extra peace of mind against harsh weather and to prevent dirt and debris from dirtying your set. It is also important to remember to remove any cushions when not in use, especially if they aren’t waterproof.'

Caron Grant

Caron Grant, brand manager at Bridgman, brings over 30 years of expertise in the home furniture market. Renowned for its luxury furniture, Bridgman has been transforming homes and gardens since 1977.

Now that you've stocked up on garden furniture ideas, you can start planning your own haven for socialisation and relaxation.