The promise of brighter, sunnier days are upon us in so many ways that it feels only fitting to make our outdoor spaces (no matter how small or large) more welcoming and inviting to others as well as ourselves. It feels like forever since last years glorious weather and it definitely feels great to embrace the outdoors once again. So with that in mind, I thought I’d put together some easy styling tips for your garden seating areas. I’ve styled up mine in our cottage garden in readiness to entertain and rejoice in the company of others.
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden Seating Areas
Now life is gently easing back into some form of normality, it’s time to think about our outdoor spaces. It’s been so long since we’ve had the freedom to embrace other’s company and it feels only fitting to create a welcome outdoor retreat by styling your gardens like you would your home. With our outdoor spaces being the only way we can (for the moment) see those that we love, our gardens have become more of an extension of our homes than ever before. It’s time to up your styling and take it outside….
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden – Garden Furniture
No matter what style/size of your garden furniture, the basic principles of styling your seating areas are the same. It really is easy to create a welcome and inviting garden space. In fact, you’ll find you can be more creative and have some fun along the way too. I thought, I’d share a few of my styling tips which can be applied to all types of seating within your garden.
Garden Furniture
Our garden isn’t huge, but we’re fortunate to be able to zone areas to create seating areas that provide us with different views to enjoy either as a family or on our own. If you’re still in the process of choosing garden furniture, it’s all about functionality and purpose to fit your personal needs.
Our patio area seating allows us to entertain as a family/with guests with this flexible corner garden furniture set.
With our small lawned area, I created two different smaller intimate areas to enjoy. This pink bench (from Rosie Rose) is perfect for mulling away an afternoon in the sunshine with a book or two.
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden
Bringing The Indoors Outside – Rugs
Not a complete and utter essential but, if you do invest in a garden rug they, like their indoor counterparts, add so much more to your outdoor seating areas.
Without a rug 
With a rug
Adding a rug to your seating area outside instantly provides an indoor outside aesthetic.
I see rugs in our homes as shoes are to a well-dressed outfit. You wouldn’t go to the trouble of selecting your best outfit for a night out and then go barefooted. It’s the same principle with rugs. Shoes complete an outfit and, in some instances, will actually outshine what you’re wearing, if you want them to that is. It’s the same with rugs. They can be a game changer on how a room looks and feels. Rugs can either sit in harmony with your room, or they can make a statement by adding an element of surprise, and I for one, love surprises!
The Importance of Rugs & How To Use Them – The Interior Editor
Rugs not only anchor your furniture but they also reinforce colour and pattern. If you like to try and coordinate your seating, you’ll create a more cohesive look and feel overall with a rug. You’ll also be adding that all important comfort factor too.
Cushions & Throws
You just can’t beat a cushion or two when it comes to outside entertaining. Aesthetically, they add additional layers of colour, pattern and textural contrast. And, if like me, you don’t happen to have specifically made cushions for the outdoors, there’s really no reason why you can’t shop your home and pick your favourites.
Personally, I like to use a mixture of colour, texture and pattern when it comes to choosing cushions. Ultimately, experiment and have fun with how you want your garden seating to look.
Cushions and throws add to the welcome factor in so many ways. Just don’t forget to take them in when the day draws to an end. There’s nothing worse than finding a soggy wet cushion in the morning.
The same applies with throws. They’re perfect for this time of year when there’s still a chill in the air and the need for keeping cosy and warm. I’d go as far as to say throws are fast becoming a staple to our British weather pretty much like the umbrella don’t you think!
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden Seating Areas – Lighting…
Lighting is all important for those evening soirees and will encourage you and your visitors to linger longer with some ambient lighting.
You may be fortunate enough to have electric lighting but you can still add and layer your lighting as you would in your indoor spaces. There are a whole host of battery operated lamps these days or maybe you prefer candlelit lanterns. Either are perfect for positioning around your garden so you’re not completely left in darkness. Solar powered lighting also allows you the ability to create an evening glow and are perfect for hanging on pergolas, trees and the like.
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden Seating Areas – Faux Flowers
I get that many of you might not fall into the faux department when it comes to your gardens. But for me, I find faux flowers are a great way to introduce additional colour. More so during spring time when our gardens are yet to flourish with their floral delights.
Adding touches of faux flowers provides the illusion of flora whilst your garden is awakening from it’s winter slumber
The Interior Editor
Add bouquets of faux flowers to a basket bag which also doubles up as handy storage for the likes of suncream and other essential bits and bobs. Perfect for keeping everything close to hand as and when you need it.
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden Seating Areas – Planters
Another way to introduce colour naturally is to pop some of your seasonal plants into a decorative planter to enjoy. Vary the size, style and type of planters you use to create additional interest. They’ll brighten up your garden seating areas no end.
Easy Styling Tips For Your Garden Seating Areas – The Side Table…
The humble side table has so much to offer to a seating area whether it’s indoors our outside. It’s the perfect addition for providing you with somewhere to have your refreshments to hand or maybe a book or two. For me the side table is an essential part of any seating.
Don’t think you have to match your side table to your seating either. Mixing styles and shapes allows you to create a more interesting look and feel.
Side tables not only provide the means for somewhere for your guests to put their cups or glasses, but they also add a decorative layer. Perfect for creating vignettes. Layering your spaces indoors or outside adds interest and detail too!
Bring The Indoors Outside & Have Fun…
And lastly, there is absolutely no rule that says you can’t introduce your favourite indoor decorative pieces into your gardens. I say whatever brings you joy embrace it or them. For me, it’s my ever growing collection of bird decor. My two favourite pieces; my Standing Crane (which is supposed to be a bottle holder) from Culinary Concepts and my Parrot from Papillon have both ventured outside to enjoy the fresh air and have put a permanent smile on my face for being there. Of course, I ensure they’re back in before the end of day ready for their next adventure…
Above everything else have fun styling up your gardens. Mother Nature is without a doubt, provides you with perfect backdrop to get creative and experiment. And, if you’re on Instagram, why not tag me @theinterioreditor. I’d love to see your styled garden areas.
Until next time, thanks, as always for stopping by!
Maria xx
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