Small Garden Strategy: Built-In Seating
Building a bench or other seating into your landscape can help give a small space a cozy advantage
People often ask how to make the most of a petite outdoor space. Keep in mind that your small space has advantages! Outdoor living spaces should have a coziness factor, which is much easier to create in a smaller space.
One of my favorite design tricks for small spaces is built-in seating. Here is how to apply it for dramatic effect in your cozy space.
One of my favorite design tricks for small spaces is built-in seating. Here is how to apply it for dramatic effect in your cozy space.
Define your territory. Built-in seating can provide architectural design that defines a small space.
Embrace funny spaces. Make them work to your benefit. Use interesting lines to offset the oddity of the space.
A small bench placed strategically can feel like a personal invitation to enjoy a space, no matter how small.
Retain seating space. Built-in seating is often built into another feature. Topping off this short retaining wall with seating is a brilliant idea. Can you imagine sitting here with a book, smelling all the fresh blooms? Or seating your family here for photos amidst the foliage? Lovely!
Combine with a raised bed. This bench with elevated planter could create a similar aesthetic in a much smaller space. I love its elegant, modern lines.
Just as seating can be attached to planters, planters and other focal points can be designed into seating. This is an interesting strategy for integrating greenery, as well as armrest and beverage space, into a bench.
Mixing earthy materials without getting too wild maintains a serene and inviting experience.
The same strategy works in a long, narrow space as well.
Create room for fire features. This fire feature would need to be much smaller to accommodate the footprint of mobile seating. The built-in seating leaves room for more drama.
Tell us: If you have a tip that worked for you or a beautiful small-space garden, please share it below!
More:
16 Fire Pits to Fit Into Your Landscape
Find Your Perfect Patio
Tell us: If you have a tip that worked for you or a beautiful small-space garden, please share it below!
More:
16 Fire Pits to Fit Into Your Landscape
Find Your Perfect Patio