March 1st, 2023 by Sarah Miles

After what seems like a very long winter, we are finally starting to see glimpses of spring. Buds are appearing on plants, snowdrops in church yards and hedgerows, and we’re seeing more still cold but brilliantly sunny afternoons.

You could, therefore, be forgiven for allowing your mind to wander to warmer days and more time spent outdoors. According to recent research commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society “people who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological well-being and greater physical activity levels than those who do not spend time in the garden.” so planning your strategy for making use of your garden is not an exercise of whimsy, it’s an act of self-care!

Making your garden into an extra room

There are many elements that go into making your garden a usable space, including layout, planting, and decorative items but one very central consideration is your garden furniture. Late winter is the perfect time to start planning yours so that you can really think about what you want and source your pieces before the big demand of spring and summer starts.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some garden furniture trends that are set to be popular in 2023:

Outdoor Dining

One of the greatest pleasures of the summer is alfresco dining. It can be a wonderfully social thing to do, whether that’s just enjoying dinner with the family, entertaining a bigger group of people, or enjoying a solitary croissant and coffee for breakfast before the rush of the day begins. Having that dedicated dining space outside can, therefore, make your summer really special.

You do have several options for outdoor dining. If you have a large family or want to invite people over, a full dining set with a long table can accommodate up to 6 people usually. Perhaps more if you go for bench seating. If you have a smaller space, or just need room for a couple of people, a bistro set is perfect.

Embrace colour

Neutral colours like cream and charcoal have always been popular for garden furniture, perhaps as a way of allowing planting to be the focal point. However, 2023 is likely to see greater use of bold, interesting, and impactful colours in furniture, making them feature objects. Candy pastel shades such as pinks and blues work well for a more vintage vibe or go for bold colours and patterns on cushion covers. Parasols also offer a great opportunity to add a pop of colour if you want to keep furniture more subtle. If you want to create something that is unique and personal to you, why not upcycle some old pieces by painting them colours of your choice?

Mixed materials

The general trend is for gardens to grow a little wilder to create more of a relaxed, rustic look as well as encourage better biodiversity. As garden methods eschew an ultra-neat, manicured aesthetic, so too will furniture seek a more eclectic, curated feel. That means putting items of different styles and materials together. This could be a metal garden bench with a wooden table or a mixture of different chairs with a long dining table. Combine wicker, rattan, wood, and steel to create a look that feels coordinated but not matched.

Sustainable materials

Sustainability is a huge concern for many people now and this certainly translates to garden furniture.  That can manifest in different ways: repurposing old pieces to lengthen their lifespan, choosing ethically sourced and sustainably manufactured materials such as bamboo or recycled plastic, or robust materials such as steel or iron in classic styles that don’t date that will last for many years and minimise waste. Low-quality, throwaway items are no longer considered responsible choices.

Heating and lighting

While furniture allows you to sit, relax, and dine outdoors, adding heat and light will make sure you get to use your garden well into the evening in total comfort, offering even greater value for money on your furniture investments. Consider heating options such as fire pits or chimineas for those willing to put some effort in (and who love to get a fire going) or infrared patio heaters for those who like instant heat at the touch of a button. Outdoor lighting will allow your soirees to last well into the night, or just enable you to keep reading your book or sipping your wine well beyond sunset.