Dreaming Ahead: Furniture for the Perfect Outdoor Space

Outdoor entertaining may be on hold right now while Old Man Winter makes himself at home in your garden, but don’t let that stop you from daydreaming about your next garden get together. As a matter of fact, now is a great time to plan how you’ll furnish your outdoor space so that you, family and friends flock to the garden when the weather warms.

In addition to a centralized location with a dining table where everyone can gather to share meals, add intimate seating and lounging areas in tucked away corners of the yard that lend themselves to private conversations. Choose well-constructed furniture made from materials such as hardwoods like teak and iron, and top chairs off with comfortable cushions made from weather-resistant material. When you’re looking for pieces to furnish and accent your outdoor rooms, Jack Carlisle, co-owner of The Potting Shed by Carlisle with Luis Sardinas, suggests vintage furniture, which he feels adds just the right special touch of surprise and whimsy to your outdoor rooms. “A vintage table from the 1920s or 1930s lends an air of simplicity to your outdoor living space that evokes a sense of style and relaxation,” says Carlisle. “Sit at such a table, with its basic lines and sturdy, quality craftsmanship, and you’ll find that it harkens back to a simpler time that gives a comfortable ambiance to your outdoor room.” Some of the conversations you’ll enjoy with friends and family while sitting at a vintage table may even be about the furniture itself—for instance where a nick on the tabletop came from and when. “It’s a kick to think about how other generations sat around an old farm table and the conversations they had,” says Carlisle. “The scratches on the table’s surface and even gum stuck underneath bring to light the history and nostalgia of the piece, which gives it character and forges a connection to the past and the people who used the piece before you.” Daytime events demand some form of cover, or your guests will seek shelter indoors. In addition to large shade trees, patio covers and awnings give a stable shade source close to the house. Patio umbrellas are another shade option. With their decorative fabrics, they lend an eye-catching focal point to the outdoors. And gazebos provide a shady retreat for everything from large gatherings to sharing private moments. Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of seven books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com.