how to ace chic alfresco seating

GARDEN DESIGNER CHARLOTTE ROWE ON CREATING COOL AND COMFORTABLE SPACES FOR SITTING PRETTY

Look at the size of the garden,

how it’s accessed and the orientation. Then consider how you use it, or would like to use it.

If you want somewhere to enjoy and early evening drink,

position your seating in the best spot for that, regardless how far down the garden it is. This makes the seating area a destination.

If you have enough space,

differentiate between a seating and dining zone. They can be divided using planters or trees such as hornbeam, cornus or parrotia. We tend to do this even in small spaces such as roof terraces, as it looks smarter. Choose pots large enough for the space and for the roots of the plants inside them.

Positioning your seating

depends which way the garden faces and your preference for sun or shade. If it’s not possible to provide additional shade with an awning or umbrella, it’s best to keep the dining area out of the sun.

It’s not a great idea to put a pergola

right up against the house, as this can cause unwanted shade in the winter. Further down the garden, an arbour, a flexible awning, flat-topped trees or other small feature trees can provide shade.

A combination of built-in and modular

furniture, which can be moved, is the best way to create a multipurpose space. Ideally, built-in seating should have the same seat height as additional chairs, chaises or sofas, so it works practically and aesthetically. We generally make our seats 40-45cm high.

Too much green furniture

will fight with the garden’s natural tones, so go for colours you like that will work with your planting. Brightly-hued furniture will stand out and feel zingy. Soft furnishings and fabrics must be designed for outdoor use.

In a small area,

it’s often worth combining built-in seating with a sofa, lounge chairs or dining chairs. Alternatively, a modular L-shaped sofa arrangement can work if space is at a premium. It doesn’t matter if the furniture is large in scale but it does matter if you have too much.

Equally, a large area

without enough furniture can look uncomfortable and unwelcoming. We often combine outdoor furniture with planting beds and multi-stem trees to soften the whole effect and fill the space.