How to Create a Seating Area in a Garden

It’s best to align your seating area with how you plan to use the space, and find garden furniture to suit your needs. For example, an 8-seater dining set is ideal if you like to host meals al fresco. But if lounging around reading in the sunshine is more your vibe, then a comfy sofa set sounds fitting.

Bit of a chameleon? The good news is, there are plenty of multipurpose pieces on the market. Take the Bude garden dining set with rising table which can be made up as a large day bed, but quickly converts for mealtimes at a moment’s notice.

The direction that your garden faces may be a factor too, so take note of where the sun reaches throughout the day and plan accordingly.

“Your outdoor seating area should be an inviting place to relax in, so it’s important not to overcrowd the space. Add just a few accessories to make it feel like home, such as an outdoor rug, solar lamps and textured cushions.”
– Rhianon Vest, Creative Stylist at Barker and Stonehouse

On a Budget?

When on a budget, many people look for DIY outdoor seating ideas, such as the immensely popular trend we’ve seen for garden pallet furniture in recent years. But if you’d rather save on the hard labour (and splinters!) then there are plenty of cost-effective seating options readymade for you.

1. Mix and match

Take your pick of standalone chairs and tables so you can spend exactly what you want.

2. Complete sets

Invest in a complete set that contains everything you’ll need for many summers to come. This could work out more cost-effective in the long run if you choose something high quality.

3. Finance

Buy your furniture on finance so you can spread the cost of your purchase over time. Even better if it’s interest free!

If you’re really looking to cut costs on your seating area, some of the cheapest garden furniture you can buy is synthetic rattan, aluminium or plastic. As a general rule of thumb, wooden garden furniture made from hardwoods like teak and acacia tends to be on the pricier side, but it’s usually very durable. For more info, read our guide to the different types of garden furniture.

If you only need room for one or two people, a garden egg chair is a great budget solution. There are many on the market for less than £300, just make sure you select something comfortable and well made. Look out for plump cushioning and high-strength metal fixtures.

Fire Pit Seating Ideas

Garden fire pits have been the hot topic for a few years now, but the craze shows no sign of cooling off. And what better way to stay warm and cosy in the great outdoors? Especially when sunshine is never guaranteed.

You can add a standalone fire pit to an existing seating area if the space allows, or you can invest in a garden furniture set with integrated fire pit. Available in both our traditional dining sets and our casual sofa sets, these gas fire pits are cleverly concealed inside the central table and can be covered up when not in use.

S’mores anyone?

“Demand for garden fire pits has risen hugely in recent years. They lend a feeling of luxury to any garden space, and allow us to spend even more time outdoors in the unpredictable British climate.”
– Rhianon Vest, Creative Stylist at Barker and Stonehouse

Covered Outdoor Seating Areas

Let’s be honest, no one wants to sit outside in the pouring rain, and here in the UK summer showers aren’t unheard of. So a covered seating area is sure to come in handy more than once.

Unless DIY is your forte, you have a couple of avenues to choose from:
- A parasol
- A pergola

Parasols are the cheaper of the two, but they still come in at a range of price points depending on the features. Extremely flexible, freestanding parasols can be positioned wherever needed, and many can be angled to give you just the right amount of protection. For ease, you might also consider a furniture set with a parasol (or a parasol hole) in the centre.

Pergolas are fixed structures, which means once they’re in position, they can’t be relocated quite so easily. The better choice if you’ll be spending lots of time outside, they often come with retractable sides which do a great job of shielding you from the elements. Pergolas are perfect for creating a cosy outdoor room all year round, but you can also find one with an adjustable roof to allow the sunshine in when the weather’s playing ball.

Small Garden Seating Ideas

Figuring out how to make a small outdoor seating area starts with how many people you want to cater for. And as we mentioned previously – try not to overfill the space.

“Stackable chairs are a great space-saving option for smaller gardens where storage is limited. Compact stools come in handy for last-minute seating and can also double up as side tables.”
– Rhianon Vest, Creative Stylist at Barker and Stonehouse

Garden Corner Seating Ideas

Suitable for gardens of all shapes and sizes, a garden corner sofa offers plenty of outdoor seating while tucking neatly into – you guessed it – a corner. A great idea if you love to host, they’re favoured for their sociable design. You’ll find compact options for 4 people, ranging all the way up to 10+ seaters.

Luxurious and spacious, a corner set brings the comfort of indoor living outside. So if you plan to spend hours lazing in the sun, then look no further. Complete with comfy cushions and armrests, you won’t find more sumptuous seating than these. Some even feature reclining sides, like the beautiful Polperro.

Garden Seating with a Table

Most garden furniture sets will come with a table. But whether you need a dining table, a coffee table or a side table is up to you.

Dining sets can accommodate up to ten people or more, and you can choose from handy integrated features such as fire pits, ice buckets and lazy Susans. Perfect for effortless dining outdoors. And with matching chairs included, you needn’t worry about measuring up to make sure they all fit together.

Lounge sets come complete with a coffee table, so you can create a mini living room outside. Even better – some of our models feature adjustable height tables which can be raised up for mealtimes and lowered back down for casual affairs.

Prefer a more flexible approach? Consider a standalone outdoor table to complement your existing seating instead.