Unique Seating Ideas To Spruce Up Any Outdoor Space

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It's all too easy to focus exclusively on your interior, only to wake up one glorious weekend morning to find that you have nowhere comfortable to sit outside. Even if you've spent hours carefully bringing your flower beds into bloom, it's hard to make the most of your outdoor space if you haven't considered where you'll relax and enjoy it. For this reason, seating should be an integral part of your garden's design.

With just a little consideration for things like your available patio space, the weather in your area, how many people intend to use it, and the circumstances in which it'll be used, it's easy to narrow down the wide list of outdoor seating options. These range from porch swings and cozy corner sofas to modular seating sets, hammocks, and simple garden benches. Each suits different spaces, and some can be paired together to add versatility to your patio. While many are available to buy, others you can easily make yourself, giving you something extra to be proud about each time you invite friends over.

Before you pay a visit to your local outdoor home goods store, it's important to know exactly which type of furniture is likely to suit your garden. More specifically, it's crucial to have your space's measurements down pat. Yes, you could go ahead and source the largest option available, and in doing so ensure that everybody has somewhere to sit. In fact, fitting your furniture to your lifestyle and those you share it with is one of the most useful tips for buying the best patio furniture. However, depending your space, if you aren't mindful of its size, you could risk suffocating it with a single piece of furniture. Worse still, you could find, when it arrives, it doesn't fit your space at all.

So, grab your measuring tape and spend a few minutes taking stock of your deck, patio, garden, or gazebo. Measure its length and width, and take note of any natural or hardscaped features, like corners and walls. This information will help inform which outdoor seating solution is the best for you. For example, if you have a large corner that's currently sitting empty, an L-shaped sofa could be a good option.

Function is absolutely as important as style when trying to spruce up your garden, especially if you live in a climate that experiences extremes. For example, if you live near the coast, then choosing something that can stand up to plenty of wind and rain is key. Salt from the sea is likely to rust certain metals, while high humidity can easily wear down unprotected wooden furnishings. That's not to say these materials are out of the question, just that you need to pick the right ones to cope with your climate. Powder-coated aluminum and marine-grade stainless steel are good options to reduce corrosion. So, too, is teak — one of the best materials for patio furniture that can be left outside in the winter. This is thanks to its close grain structure and abundant natural oils, which make it naturally resilient to wind, rain, pests, high humidity, and frequent temperature changes.

If you live in a very hot climate, you may want to think twice about bare metal furnishings. At least, you should if you want to avoid burning yourself whenever you sit down. You'll also need to consider which materials can withstand high temperatures and cope with intense and consistent sunlight. In this case, synthetic resin seats and tables might be your answer, since this material is designed to cope with such meteorological extremes.where standard plastic or cotton can decay and become brittle quickly.

A family-sized sofa is the perfect solution if you live in a warmer climate, or have long, hot summers during which you want to get everybody outside. This is especially important if you have children who might otherwise sit indoors staring at screens. However, it's about more than finding a design that you like and a size that'll fit everybody on it.

Again, you should consider the space in which it needs to fit. More than that, it pays to think about how it works with the rest of your outdoor furnishings, if you can extend it for guests, the kind of maintenance you'll need (like cleaning stained cushions), and how it'll stand up to use by active, heavy-handed children.

Modular garden sofas are a good option. They come in several components, which makes them easy to handle. As the name suggests, you can also "modulate" them; in other words, configure them to suit the way you and your family will use the seating. And since they come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, you can find one that's sure to make your family feel at home outside, in a color that's unlikely to show tough stains, and with upholstery that's easy to clean should your kids drag mud onto them from the garden.

The first thing to say here is that there is no point in buying or making outdoor seating if it's not comfortable. If it's not — and especially if you've paid good money for it — it could actually have the reverse effect than that for which you bought it. In other words, you may find yourself using your outdoor space even less, and resenting the dollars you spent to do so.

Just as important as comfort, especially if you're trying to spruce up your space, is whether or not you like to look at it. This doesn't just mean when you're outside, either. If you have windows inside your home that look out upon your outdoor space, wouldn't it be nice to have garden seating that attracts the eye and invites you to step outside? With this in mind, try to match your seating with its surroundings. For example, if you have lots of trees, you could try to complement their natural curvature and elegance with a curved sofa. Alternatively, if your space is surrounded by straight, sharp-angled walls, then consider furnishings that match them, like sectional or L-shaped corner sofas.

Finally, if you have lots of greenery and flowers, consider blending your furniture into its surroundings by choosing items made from softer, more natural materials. Rattan and wood are obvious choices, both helping to soften the transition between natural growth and human design, while still sprucing up your space with abundant style and comfort. You could even incorporate that greenery into a built-in planter bench where plants thrive.

If you work from home, it's easy to create a comfortable yet practical space in which to work while soaking up the sun. And by doing so, you can easily make up for those dreary winter days spent cooped up in your home office.

While many of the other seating options in this guide can provide a handy spot from which to work, why not create a dedicated space for it? When working outside, especially if you're working with a laptop, the first thing to do is create a cool, shady spot in which to operate. This is for two reasons. One is that you'll want to ward off any glare from your screen. The other is that sitting out in the sunshine, while admittedly lovely, can quickly become uncomfortable. An umbrella or a parasol next to your table and chairs is a good option here, protecting your screen from glare and you from over-exposure.

Another option to consider is a hanging egg chair like the Christopher Knight Home wicker teardrop hanging chair. Not only do these have natural, in-built shading, but they're also beautiful to look at (thus helping to spruce up your space), and are extremely comfortable. What's more, the natural swinging motion can help you to de-stress and remain relaxed during work hours, which is crucial to maintaining steady productivity.

If you like to sit out front and watch the world go by, see the sunset, or wave a friendly hello to your neighbors, why not make your porch the envy of your neighborhood by installing a swing bench? You can make one yourself or buy one. Choose from myriad styles, including free-standing sets, glider versions, sets with chains that hang from the roof of your porch, hanging egg chairs, and more. For a truly unique design go for curves, like a high-design-looking lobster porch swing from Wayfair, or the shapely, yet comfy Hatteras Hammocks deluxe cushioned double swing.

Swing seats are available in an array of gorgeous materials and colors, but as always, it's important to choose the right one for your home and outdoor space. Wooden porch swings are perhaps the most common, and it's no surprise: Wood offers a classic look that never goes out of style. If you can find a swing made from western red cedar, all the better, since this particular wood is hardy against rot and decay, and can even repel water. It also textures as it ages, can easily be protected with sealant, and is simple to clean with soapy water.

You can also find porch swings made from wrought iron, synthetic resin, aluminum, and even recycled plastic. The latter is an especially good choice if you want to do your bit for the environment by using reclaimed materials. The added benefit, since it's plastic, is that you can find it in an array of colors to suit your porch. Just note that light plastic swings aren't well suited to windy areas, and that particularly hot weather can cause the plastic to bend.

This is where it's really important to know your measurements and which shapes of furniture are likely to help you get the most out of your space. But don't worry; while limited patio space necessarily limits the size and, to an extent, the style of furniture, there are still plenty of viable seating options to choose from.

For example, if you're unlikely to have lots of guests, then a simple round table and chairs could be a good option. One benefit of round tables is that they promote a sense of equality and inclusivity around your table, with nobody sitting at the head. Another is that they take up minimal space, and have no sharp corners you might otherwise bump into on a smaller patio.

Alternatively, if you want something more comfortable while still taking up minimal space, consider purchasing a cube seating set. Named for the shape the components create when tucked away and not in use, this type of seating set comes in an array of beautiful colors and materials, has a minimal footprint when not in use, and comes with seats that are usually quite comfortable. What's more, many cube sets feature chairs that each have a matching ottoman that doubles as extra seating or (sometimes) added storage space underneath the cushions.

There are lots of nifty DIY bench ideas that can add both practical seating and visual appeal to your outdoor space. For example, you could learn how to DIY an outdoor storage bench, creating for yourself extra seating and handy storage for seasonal items like cushions and barbecue utensils.

Alternatively, if you have a particularly tricky space to fit furniture into, or you simply want to create a seating area you can be proud of, why not build your own corner sofa? With good-quality lumber, stain to decorate the wood, sealant to protect it from the elements, plus some screws and sandpaper, building a DIY corner sofa is surprisingly achievable. You could save a small fortune by building your own versus buying one from the store, and since you're making it yourself, you can get creative with the upholstery, choosing colors that suit your style, and materials that you relish the thought of sinking into. What's more, this will ensure it fits perfectly in whatever space you have available.

Another good idea — especially if you've recently had to have a tree felled in your garden — is to transform your tree stump into a cozy outdoor chair. Whether it's next to your patio or tucked away in a quiet spot elsewhere in your garden, this solves the expensive headache of having the stump removed, while providing a functional and utterly unique spot in which to sit and enjoy your surroundings.

An easy way to ensure that everybody feels at home during the summer, including both family and guests, is to simply make certain there's enough seating to go around. But that doesn't need to mean investing in a large table and chairs that'll only be used to its full potential a few times each season. Instead, consider a modular seating set.

Providing the ultimate in flexibility, modular seating allows you to mix and match different, compatible components. Some can be left out permanently for you and your family to use day-to-day, while others can be stored in a shed or used elsewhere around the home or yard, ready to be brought together whenever guests are planning to visit. This flexibility ensures that there's always somewhere for everyone to sit, without taking up unnecessary space in your garden when it's just you and your family. Modular sets are also easy to arrange in a number of configurations, allowing you to easily optimize your space.

What's more, you can find modular seating in an array of styles and materials, with an even more dazzling choice of upholstery colors and patterns. You can even find curved, half-moon sets, like the Quarte outdoor acacia wood round sofa set, allowing you to build around fire pits and those egalitarian circular tables. So it's not only a practical solution, but one that's sure to spruce up your space with a flash of style.

If you have an interior you love spending time in, there's no reason why you can't enjoy some of those same home comforts outside. Seating and furniture are key to bringing the indoors out, with options like upholstered benches, sectional sofas, and even family-sized L-shaped sofas all viable solutions. What's more, if your living room features a fireplace, you can replicate those same cozy vibes outside by installing a fire pit or a chiminea.

Seating styles and heat sources aside, it's important to consider the fabrics you use to upholster your outdoor furnishings, to withstand constant exposure to the elements. That's not to say that you can't use your indoor cushions, in fact it can actually be quite easy to waterproof indoor pillows for outdoor use. It's just that it might be a more sensible choice to source materials designed to withstand the weather, like acrylic. As well as being resistant to mold and mildew, acrylic doesn't dry out and crack as a result of changes in heat and humidity. One option to coordinate with your indoor furnishings is to order custom-designed indoor-outdoor fabrics and cushions, so your decorating themes flow.

When you're ready to spruce up your garden with new interior-style seating, it's important to consider the best and worst colors for outdoor spaces. For example, if your interior features Scandi-style neutral tones, like those of natural wood, these are perfect for bringing that same sense of calm outdoors. But if your indoor living space is dripping in neon, then consider leaving those colors at the door, as they risk overwhelming what should be a relaxing outdoor environment. More than that, they can overpower the natural, colorful beauty of your garden that you worked so hard to achieve.

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that have the greatest impact. A garden bench is a great example. While it doesn't feature fancy cushions, modular sections, or a table on which to eat, you'll likely find that it gets as much, if not more use than that carefully curated patio set. Garden bench seating is ideal for contemplation, reading, and even a little canoodling.

The appeal of no-frills bench is certainly true if you spend lots of time in your garden. Whether it's mowing the lawn, weeding flower beds, laying mulch, or trimming bushes, you'll be amazed by how many opportunities you have to sit on a well-placed garden bench. Such informal, casual seating is also likely to be used by the whole family, providing a comfortable spot to enjoy some solitude away from the hubbub of the house. A simple garden bench can also add a pleasing, rustic contrast to the lush landscape of your carefully cultivated borders and flower beds.

Available in various materials and fabric color choices, regardless of where you hang it, the addition of a hammock is an easy and surprisingly effective way to spruce up your outdoor space. And who doesn't love the idea of lazing in a hammock on a balmy Sunday afternoon?

Spending time in a hammock can actually be beneficial to your mental health, helping to calm nerves and even promoting good sleep by stimulating the vestibular system. Especially when tucked among trees, lying in a hammock allows you to reap all of the health benefits that are associated with being close to nature, like easing stress, enhancing cognitive function, and alleviating anxiety.

Even if you don't have trees, you could consider adding a freestanding version like the La Siesta large double Brisa classic hammock to your outdoor space. These are available in an array of sizes and styles, making it easy to match them to your outdoor décor. They also are made in a variety of materials, allowing you to choose one that's well suited to your local climate.