How to Add a Seating Area to Your Garden for Summer
For UK residents who are at the mercy of indecisive weather conditions throughout the year, there’s nothing worse than being trapped inside on a beautiful summer’s day.
Ensure you never miss a moment of sunshine by making the most of your space and adding a seating area to your garden. Whether working from home, hosting friends for lunch or relaxing on a lazy Sunday afternoon, a seating area enables you to utilise your outdoor space to its best advantage.
How to add a seating area to your garden
Find the right space
Start the process by assessing your garden. Consider how much space you have to play with and the intended purpose of the seating area. If you’re envisaging romantic evenings with your significant other, go for a small size with intimate seating. An open patio and a larger table are best for entertaining.
Don’t forget to check which areas get the sun and at what times. Choose a morning suntrap to start your summer days in style, or seek out the late afternoon light for pleasant pre-dinner drinks.
Choose your materials
Your preferred materials will dictate your design to a large degree. Try to curb your ambitions if you’re new to landscaping and doing it yourself to ensure a polished and professional finish. If in doubt, seek help from a qualified professional.
Timber is relatively easy to work with and, when treated correctly, is a weather-resistant option that suits most spaces. With quality tools like a Milwaukee impact driver, hammer and various saws, you can cut, shape and fix together timber decking boards in just a few hours.
Gravel is a cost-effective option that can be spread directly over soil or added on top of a weed membrane to help keep the area free from dirt and plants. Metal-legged patio furniture is a great fit for gravel as this will be more stable on the uneven surface.
Experienced with outdoor DIY? Place paving stones in a corner of your garden, making sure these are lined up evenly and flat to the floor.
Creating an inviting atmosphere
Once you’ve sorted the foundations for your garden seating area, focus on creating an inviting atmosphere. After all, you want the area to be welcoming for you and your guests!
Make it cosy by bringing the indoors outside and decorating seats with soft furnishings like cushions and blankets. If the space is covered, you could add a rug beneath the table, too.
Lighting is the secret to creating ambience, so don’t overlook this just because you’re outside! Decorate with outdoor lamps, lanterns and fairy lights, depending on your preference. Look for weather-proof models and modern solar-powered options that avoid the hassle of wires and plugs.
This is a collaborative post.
