8 Different Types of Garden Furniture

To truly escape to your garden, the right furniture will help you to escape from it all. Here’s some furniture and how it can be used to create atmosphere and visual interest in your garden.

Arbors
Arbors are a three dimensional archway, which forms a geometric pattern overhead. They can be made from many materials, including wood or wrought iron, and can be narrow or wide. Arbors are perfect to create a dramatic entranceway, to go over a walking path or to define a seating area. They make an area more cozy and intimate when climbing vines and flowers grow up and over the arbor.

Benches
Benches can be used anywhere in a garden. Their primary function is to provide seating space, but they also provide visual interest and help to create the atmosphere of the garden. Benches can be placed alone or with other furniture, in the open or against a wall, fence or tree. Benches can also become part of a focal point, by placing an archway over the bench, a trellis behind the bench, or by placing the bench at the end of an arbor. When grouped with other furniture, the bench helps to create the atmosphere. By using an archway or arbor, the bench becomes more intimate. By grouping a bench with other chairs and tables, the area becomes open and friendly.

Chairs
Much like benches, chairs also provide another option for seating space. Chairs come in multiple shapes and sizes. Some are more compact, making them ideal for small gardens. Others allow you to recline and relax in comfort, which are perfect for the cottage.

Gates
Gates are one of the most popular items of all garden furniture. They set the mood before you even enter the garden. They can say that you are now entering a hidden world or give a sense of old-world romance. There are different types of gates, made from all sorts of material, which help to set the mood. Gates made from wood can offer more privacy and that sense of escape from the everyday world. Gates made from wrought iron can give a sense of formality or if they are placed next to a large rose bush, they can add a touch of romance to the air. It is very important that you think about the type of atmosphere that you want to create with your garden and buy a gate that will set that mood.

Outdoor Lights
There are many different types of outdoor lights to put in your garden, including solar powered lights. Outdoor lights not only increase the beauty of your garden at night, they also add security and safety. If you have steps or stairs in your backyard, add a light at each step to prevent tripping or falling down your steps. For small backyards, considering hanging lights from the fence. It will make the atmosphere of your backyard more inviting and intimate, perfect for entertaining guests on a warm summer evening.

Statues
Statues bring life to a garden. They can also make a statement about who you are and what is important to you. When you start to consider adding statues to your garden, there are three important elements to consider: 1) the different types of statues; 2) the weight and size of the statues; and 3) the material the statues are made from. To explore more on how statues add life, read the article “How Statues Add Life To Your Garden”.

Towers and Obelisks
Towers and obelisks are smaller, three dimensional structures, often used for climbing vines and ivy plants. They come in different shapes and sizes – pyramid shaped, rectangle shaped (like a tower), and can have a globe on top or a platform to hold a container. They can be anywhere from one foot high to several feet high and can have three, four or more sides. Towers and obelisks give a lot of visual interest and dimension to gardens of any sizes.

Trellises
Trellises are two-dimensional and are used to give more vertical space. They can be placed against a fence or a wall or placed in the open. Trellises can be used in the open to break up the space, provide a focal point (ie: when the trellis is surrounded by low growing plants) or enhance a focal point (ie: placed beside a wishing well). Like arbors, trellises can be made from wood or wrought iron. Trellises can be skinny and tall, or wide and medium height. They can be plain and simple or have complex designs. There are no rules – let your imagination soar!

 

 

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