The Best Garden Furniture for Small, Medium and Large Spaces
Words by Emma Hughes
June 28, 2021
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4m
There are many different types of gardens out there, from vast countryside lawns to modest patios to compact balconies. Each one requires the right outdoor furniture to help it shine, so it’s important to choose pieces that not only fit into your space, but make the most of it too.
If you need a little help with selecting furniture to suit your garden size, here’s our take on the best way to furnish outdoor spaces of each kind – small, medium and large.
Furniture for small patios and balconies
Small garden furniture that’s stylish and sturdy can be hard to find. But whether you need patio furniture or balcony furniture, there are plenty of options to choose from if you know what to look for.
A popular choice for balcony furniture is a small bistro set – ideal for couples who like to enjoy meals in the sunshine. For a little more comfort, the Taransay small garden lounge set will also work well, and is perfect for coffee breaks and reading breaks alike.
An outdoor side table is a great compromise for more compact gardens – whether it’s used to hold your drink, or for decorating with vases, plants and lanterns. Sat beside a stylish garden chair and spruced up with a rug, the Positano side tables will make even the smallest of spaces super inviting.
If our range of garden furniture with fire pits has caught your eye, but you just don’t have the room, how about a freestanding garden fire pit for your patio instead? Flexible enough to fit in with your existing furniture, it’s all you need to enjoy a cosy evening with close friends.
If you’re simply looking for a quiet spot to spend time alone and you’re not planning to entertain outdoors, then a luxurious garden hanging chair is an excellent investment. For added character, an outdoor wall shelf gives you the opportunity to display decorative pieces without taking up precious floorspace.
Furniture for medium sized gardens
The go-to for many modest gardens, a 4-seater patio table and chairs can accommodate a multitude of activities. If you have your heart set on sun loungers or a luxurious garden day bed too, then a small garden table like the Pollux will ensure there’s room left for further additions.
A corner sofa may sound like something suited to a huge outdoor space, but there are more petite models available. The Murcia small garden corner sofa offers you all of the luxury and comfort, without dominating your entire garden.
Alternatively, a cleverly designed garden sofa and chair set, like the Levisham, allows you a little more flexibility, as the individual pieces can be stacked together for tidy storage when the day is done.
Furniture for large gardens
If you’re fortunate enough to be blessed with a big garden, you’ll know it can be difficult to keep it from looking bare. The goal here isn’t to fill every inch of room, but to find just the right balance of open space and usable space.
Garden corner sofas are great for sectioning off larger spaces. This technique also known as “zoning” allows you to create multiple areas for different purposes, which can help stop a vast garden from feeling sparse. For instance, your dining set may be where you enjoy breakfast or lunch, then you may wish to have a dedicated sun spot for hanging chairs, loungers or a day bed. Come nightfall, you’ll head over to your garden corner sofa and get cosy.
A large garden table like the Kos is a great place to gather friends and family together, and will create a stylish focal point that centres your space. Dressed with a display table rack, vases and candles, it’s an easy way to make the most of a sizeable area. Another brilliant option is the Varuna extendable garden table, which allows you to accommodate plenty of guests while still leaving room to spare when it’s not in use. Both of these tables are also available as garden dining sets, so you don’t have to shop around for chairs that fit.
An outdoor luxury that’s just made for generous gardens, a day bed provides you with a unique place to escape to. Whether it’s set in a secluded corner for a moment of quiet, or positioned in the sunshine as a comfortable lounging spot, a garden day bed makes open spaces seem a touch more intimate.
If you’ve still got space to spare, don’t forget those little extras that will make your garden feel even more put together. Bring in parasols, outdoor rugs and garden partitions to really finish things off.
Feeling inspired? Shop the full range of garden furniture at Barker and Stonehouse online. From a compact balcony table and chairs to a spacious corner sofa, you’ll find everything you need.