Cozy Seating Areas

Of course, gardening within your own green walls is something joyful and beautiful. But it's even more wonderful to enjoy the garden paradise! Sitting, observing, resting, letting scents and colors affect you, or chatting in good company... create inviting seating areas for yourself.

When it comes to seating, most people first think of a spacious terrace located directly by the house, preferably facing south. But why should that be all? Only by having various seating options and thus varying viewpoints can you experience the garden much more intensely. Furthermore, you can thus address different needs and seasonal changes. At peak summer temperatures, for example, you might prefer a shady spot, while in spring and autumn you'll want to soak up every ray of sunshine. So, feel free to think beyond just the terrace. How about, for instance, a simple folding chair and a bistro table that can quickly be moved to a fragrant flower bed? Or a hammock that invites you to dream in the dappled shade of two trees? Lightweight furniture that is easy to transport gives you flexibility.

"The main seating area directly connected to the building optimally extends the living space outdoors; short distances, e.g., to the kitchen, are an advantage here. The design depends on the style of the house and the garden. Choose materials that match. In addition, the patio should be a level, paved surface so that tables and chairs stand securely. Natural stone, clinker brick, or concrete slab coverings are the most popular because they are robust, easy to maintain, and allow for the creation of any shape. A wooden deck surface has a warm, natural appeal; unfortunately, some maintenance is necessary to retain its beauty. However, you can now also find plastic planks with a wood look that are strikingly similar to natural wood and last forever.

How large the patio area should be depends on its use and the number of people. For the size of the dining area, the following guidelines apply: A square table (80 x 80 cm) with four chairs requires at least 10 sqm of space, a rectangular table (160 x 80 cm) with six chairs about 13 sqm, and a round table (Ø 120 cm) with eight chairs about 16 sqm. Also, note that there should be at least 50 cm of space behind those seated so that people can pass by. If lounge chairs, potted plants, or a grill are also to be placed, a correspondingly larger area must be planned."

Even in a small garden, an additional seating area provides variety and excitement. This can be, but doesn't have to be, a paved surface. If firm ground underfoot is desired, a simple construction with loose material like gravel or bark mulch often suffices, or you can lay out pre-made wooden tiles. The truly mobile and flexible connoisseurs simply grab a piece of furniture and place it wherever it's currently interesting. Then the deckchair might end up on the sunny lawn or under a blossoming apple tree. Folding furniture, lounge chairs on wheels, or plush seat cushions and beanbags made of water and dirt-repellent material are ideally suited for a journey through the garden.

"Which furniture suits your garden depends on personal taste and the desired aesthetic. On the other hand, the saying also holds true: 'As you make your bed, so you lie' or 'as you sit.' And that applies to a nap in a deckchair just as much as it does to a large coffee gathering. Therefore, you should also choose furniture based on seating comfort and convenience, and don't forget the appropriate seat cushions and pillows.

Other important criteria are weather and UV resistance. Rain, wind, heat, and cold should not harm robust tables and chairs—especially not if they have to remain outdoors all winter. If there's no winter storage space in the cellar, they should at least be covered with a protective cover. Those who need a space-saving option choose stackable chairs (easily put away when not needed) or benches.

The selection today is, in any case, huge, so everyone will find something suitable. Furniture made of synthetic weave is absolutely trending, the robust, chic successors to earlier wicker furniture, now, for example, in the style of casual lounge furniture, but also as classic chairs. Among romantics, wrought-iron metal furniture or classic wooden furniture remains highly popular. Furniture made of aluminum with Textilene covers are absolute lightweights. Combinations of stainless steel frames and wooden tops appear elegant and high-quality."

"In spring, the sun is still pleasantly warm, but in high summer, most people long for protection from the burning, stinging rays. The simplest solution is a parasol that can be set up wherever needed. With classic center-pole parasols (with a round or square canopy made of polyester fabric), the base can sometimes be in the way. Cantilever parasols, where the base is to the side and the canopy "floats," are therefore very practical. For stability, always ensure an adequately sized stand or a ground sleeve. Other sun protection options include a permanently installed awning or a sun sail that is attached at three to four points.

Most people find the shade under a natural leafy canopy very pleasant. Special benches that embrace the trunk of a tree are a beautiful solution. Special roof plane trees or lindens, whose horizontally trained branches form a roof with the help of bamboo poles, appear a bit more architectural and modern. The disadvantage: these woody plants grow slowly and take many years to reach their final shape. Therefore, they are not exactly cheap. A pergola is a quicker option. Even a simple wooden construction or a combination with tension wires can be overgrown with fast-growing annual plants (renewed each year) or—for long-term greenery—with perennial climbing plants. You can sit completely protected, even from rain, in a pavilion, arbor, or a small garden shed."