Outdoor furniture carries more weight in a garden than almost any other element. It decides where people gather, how long they stay and how the terrace reads from inside the house. In this section we look at frames, fabrics and finishes with a planner's eye, comparing how teak, aluminium, steel and woven fibres age, how cushions cope with sun and rain, and which pieces earn a permanent place outside.
We write for owners, architects and garden lovers who expect furniture to last for many seasons rather than one summer. You will find guidance on scale and spacing for dining, lounging and sunbathing, on what to store and what to leave out over winter, and on the quiet details of construction that separate a lasting piece from a pretty one. The aim is simple: fewer, better pieces, chosen for the way you actually live outdoors.
Inspiration for outdoor furniture.
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Designing a Garden in Rooms: Structure, Rhythm and Seasons
How to design a garden in rooms: axes and sightlines, hedges and evergreen structure, repetition and rhythm, seasonal interest and links to the house.
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Infinity, Lap or Natural Pool: Choosing the Right Pool for Your Plot
Infinity, lap, family, natural or plunge pool: how to match pool type, finishes, placement, covers and lighting to your plot, your climate and your routine.
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Terraces and Pergolas: Creating a True Outdoor Room
How to plan a terrace as a true outdoor room: sizing by use, levels and thresholds, paving, timber, steel and louvred pergolas, planting, privacy and light.
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Tell us about your outdoor space.
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