Garden Furniture Ideas
As the garden is an extension of the home, a place to sit and enjoy the surroundings rather than somewhere to just grow flowers or vegetables, it is important to have good, comfortable garden furniture which looks as attractive as possible.
There is a vast range of chairs, benches and tables to choose from; some are sufficiently robust and weatherproof to remain outside throughout the year, while others need to be taken inside for the winter and during inclement weather.
Permanent furniture is usually made of wood or wrought or cast iron; both are quite unyielding and may need cushions if they are to be used for any length of time. Inside summer houses, which get a certain amount of protection from the weather, cane furniture can look very effective, especially once it has begun to age.
Movable furniture comes in a range of materials, including plastic. Many of the modern designs are quite comfortable but their visual appearance leaves much to be desired. For example, folding aluminium chairs and tables are practical but generally look temporary and add little to the overall appearance of the garden, although they are useful as a back-up in case of a sudden influx of people. Traditional deck-chairs, on the other hand, give the impression of leisure and blend in well with their surroundings. Unfortunately, they can be dangerous if children are around as it is easy to trap fumbling and inquisitive fingers when putting them up or dismantling them.
It is also possible to have built-in furniture in the garden, for example, around a barbecue. Seats or benches can be constructed out of stone or brick as part of a wall, or they can be made using thick wooden slats suspended between parts of a low wall; tables can be constructed in a similar way. This type of seating will be very hard and often cold and will certainly need cushions. Much thought should go into their design and placement, however, because once they are in position they cannot be moved easily.
As well as placing seats in obvious sites, on a terrace for example, some should also be set in key positions where certain aspects of the garden can be enjoyed, such as beside a pond or a fragrant climber. Position a seat to catch the early morning or evening sun. Seats in the shade are always welcome, especially in the summer, as are those tucked away in an arbour that provides protection from light showers. Garden tables should be sited in shady spots as they are mostly used in summer for dining alfresco.
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