How to arrange garden furniture to feel inviting like a pro

Summer is finally here! That means that we can finally take full advantage of our patios and gardens. But in order to make the most of your al fresco living and hosting, it’s important to know just how to arrange your garden furniture in the best way possible.

Once you get the best garden furniture for your outdoor space, you’re only halfway to success – you then need to arrange it in a way that creates a good flow around your garden or patio and makes people feel comfortable and happy to be there. I’ve asked three experts and they’ve shared 5 of their top tips to make sure that’s exactly how your outdoor space feels.

‘The principles are the same for designing any space be it inside or outside and the key is to think about how you actually want to use the space before arranging anything,’ says John O’Leary, design director at Swyft. ‘Outdoor areas are now extensions of the home, so comfort, flow and flexibility matter just as much outside as they do indoors.’

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1. Zone the space

The best way to approach your outdoor furniture set-up is similar to how you’d arrange your living room furniture. And zoning the space well is always helpful and makes for a good idea.

‘Think about creating zones, somewhere to dine, relax or entertain, while making sure there’s enough space to move around comfortably,’ John at Swyft advises.

2. Prioritise your needs

If you’re in need of small garden ideas as you’re not sure how to squeeze everything – from a dining table to a lounging area – into your compact space, the best pro-backed advice is don’t. This will likely result in a cluttered, uninviting look – instead, think about how you use the space most often and prioritise that.

‘My best advice would be to choose what works for you and your lifestyle,’ says Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James. ‘If you love to host dinner parties for friends and family, you’ll want a dining space, but if you’re more of an introvert who prefers to spend weekends curled up with a book, you’ll want more of a lounge set. Choose one that works best for your lifestyle, rather than trying to cram both into the space and accidentally creating a cluttered and unrelaxing environment.’

Alternatively, you can invest in a set that doubles as a lounging area and a dining set like John Lewis’ Platform garden dining/lounge set with a height-adjustable table.

3. Create a focal point

In order to anchor the space, it’s a good idea to establish and create a focal point, whether that’s a fire pit or a pergola, as recommended by Andrew White, outdoor expert at Harbour Lifestyle.

‘I’d always choose a focal point to build your set-up around. A pergola, for example, adds structure and style to your garden, leaning into the luxurious indoor/outdoor living lifestyle. With no planning permission required, a pergola can define your seating or dining space effortlessly. Not only do they look smart and modern, but they also offer shade, shelter, lighting, and structure,’ he explains.

4. Don’t push everything to the edge

Just like interior designers advise against pushing the sofa and other furniture right up against the wall, outdoor experts recommend bringing some of your garden furniture away from the edges and towards the centre of the space.

‘A garden should feel inviting. I’d also avoid pushing everything to the edges. Bringing seating slightly into the space can create a more relaxed, social feel,’ John at Swyft says.

5. Arrange according to the sun

Just like you’d decorate your home in accordance with whether it’s north- or south-facing, it’s important to consider the sun’s movements throughout the day when arranging your garden furniture.

‘Pay attention to the sun. You will want to plan any furniture purchases to take into account hours of sunlight, and the direction of the sun when you’re sitting or eating to then be able to position it accordingly. Nobody wants to be in the shade once midday hits,’ Andrew explains.

When arranging and re-arranging your garden seating ideas and other pieces of furniture, it’s key to ensure there’s enough space to move freely throughout the space. Don’t forget to give your outdoor furniture and you and your guests plenty of room to breathe and enjoy the sunshine.