While more and more Australians are leaving rural areas to flock to major cities, the fact remains that Australians are spoiled for space, with relatively few people living in high density housing compared to other countries. Most of us have at least a balcony or small patio to retire to, and many still have a full backyard.
Still, that doesn’t mean that we always know what to do with all that space. We’ve come up with five outdoor furniture ideas to spruce up your outdoor areas.
Make the Most of Your Front Porch Space
It’s surprisingly easy to forget that your veranda offers the potential for seating. What better way to get to know your neighbours than to plant yourself on the veranda with a slab and wait for them to invite themselves over?
Assuming your veranda is covered, you don’t need to worry so much about rain damage, and you can probably afford to get a comfortable couch or a set of cushy armchairs. You don’t need anything too extravagant for this option, but a sturdy table will serve as a drinks’ holder, and a few pot plants will never go astray.
Create an Al Fresco Dining Space
This is another option that becomes easier if your back patio is already covered – you probably don’t want to be hauling a dining table and chairs inside on a regular basis. Something to remember if you’re setting up your dining area on a wooden patio is that furnishings with thin, metal legs can easily slip between the slats, resulting in damage to your patio or even a nasty fall for one of your guests.
We’d suggest you stick to sturdy wooden or plastic seating on wood, whereas wrought iron could be a good option if you have a level paved area.
Outdoor Fire Pit With Fixed Seating
Create a vibrant centrepiece for your backyard with wood or gas-powered fire pit surrounded by bench seating in wood, brick, or stone. These can be made more comfortable with some durable outdoor cushions. Compared to some of the other options, this one will require quite an investment on your part in terms of both time and money, but the payoff is well worth the effort. A sunken area with a fire at the centre creates an intimate family space shielded from the wind.
Moroccan Lounge
You can create your own exotic retreat in even a small balcony or rooftop area. The main elements here are a paved stone floor, a couple of pot plants, and an outdoor daybed, with a colour palette of warm, earthy tones or sun-bleached white if you’re going for a minimalist look. From there, you can add and subtract other furnishings and ornaments depending on your tastes and the specifics of your space.
For the pot plants, we suggest a palm or citrus tree, or you may find that succulents are more suited to your tastes and gardening abilities. If your outdoor area happens to feature patterned tiles, most of the work has already been done for you.
One more tip about this style of outdoor setting is that everything should be low to the ground, so as to facilitate maximum lounging. Other additions could include a wooden coffee table and ottomans, and for lighting you could choose mosaic or wrought-iron table lamps. If your outdoor space is covered, you could lay down a Persian-style rug to complete the Asiatic look.
Recycled Retro Lounge
This option can go either way; depending on the individual, the result can be a whimsical triumph or a mismatched disaster. If you fancy yourself a creative type with a natural flair for design, then by all means give this one a whirl.
The bottom line? Get creative. There’s no point attempting to create any kind of uniform style here, but rather to find items that create an interesting or pleasing contrast. There are a few tips to help you along the way, however.
Those heavy iron-frame beds you sometimes come across in second-hand shops can be fitted out with wooden slats and an outdoor mattress to create a great, unconventional seating option. Old classroom chairs salvaged from garage sales can be made comfortable with a few cushions. Explore your local thrift stores and have fun!
