A Seat Fit For Thinking

Nothing invites you to relax more in a garden than a seat. Without a seat, a garden may simply be a place to walk through or work in. Add the seat and instantly you are given the opportunity to take your time to sit down and relax.

Hmm. Where to put the seat. A secluded nook? A calm space for beer-o-clock? A place to feel like Yertle The Turtle?

If, like Yertle, your seating is to take in a spectacular view, it may need to be open and exposed. As a place of personal reflection and rest at the end of a busy day, a seat should be more secluded. When you want to invite your guests to take a seat and chat in your garden, the position of the seating needs to be obvious but not too open. The edge of a lawn or in an arbour on the side of a path are good choices.

It is a good idea for the style of seating to reflect the style of your garden. Cast iron or neo-classic stone works well in a formal, European style garden, whereas wooden seating snuggles into a cottage garden beautifully. There are also many contemporary seat designs that work well in modern gardens. Having said that, I have often seen well designed contemporary or sculptural seats settled comfortably in a wide variety of garden styles.

The materials used in outdoor seating should be durable, rain and sun resistant and in the case of timber, termite proof. There is nothing more disheartening than to make your own garden furniture out of timber and then discover that the termites are making more use of it than you are. I have been there and fallen through the slats.

A seat can be used as a focal point in itself, drawing a person into a garden or a place to take in other focal points.

Most importantly a garden seat should be a comfortable place that encourages you to take the time out to recharge.