Pull up a chair and sit awhile in your garden. You have a wonderful outdoor space that attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. Now it’s time to enjoy your garden and create a cozy garden retreat.
Spring is time to get your flowers and veggies planted, to clean up the winter mess, and to repair winter damage. Summer is all about weeding, maintaining, and harvesting. And autumn is the time to wrap up the growing season for the year. It seems like we’re always working in our gardens. But how often do you take time to enjoy all your hard work?
Do you have an outdoor area where you can sit and enjoy the fruits of your labor? A comfortable area set up for relaxing? Do you have a space set up for visiting with friends and family? If not, then it’s time to create your cozy corner for hanging out.
So what do you need? Seating, of course, but beyond your chairs, there’s so much more you can do to make your garden areas cozy and comfortable. You’re creating a space that is destined to become your “favorite” place to relax.
As you plan your outdoor “relaxing” area, ask yourself a few questions…
- How many people do you want to fit into this area? Is this a cozy corner just for you and your morning coffee? Do you want an area large enough to entertain your family? Or is this an intimate place to visit with a sweet friend?
- What activities do you want to do in this space? Is this a quiet spot for meditating and planning? Where you want to host your backyard gatherings? Or a quiet hide-a-way for you to read a book in the afternoons?
- Is the area protected from the outdoor elements? How much protection do you have? If your cozy area is under a porch or awning, you’ll have some protection from wind and rain. But if it’s in a corner of your cutting garden, then you might be out in the open.
What You Need to Create a Cozy Garden Retreat…
Seating
Based on your previous answers, you’ll need enough seats to accommodate everyone. That cozy corner for you to watch the birds might only need a single chair, while the area for entertaining will need a greater number of seats.
Your seating should be weather resistant, especially if it’s not in a protective area. Metal, plastic, and faux wicker can resist outdoor elements. If you have some protection, you could also use wooden seating or even real wicker.
Truly, the only requirement of your seating is that it’s comfortable. You want to sit awhile. If the furniture is not enjoyable to sit on, you won’t want to stay for long.
Before you go out and purchase new furniture, try them out. Garden centers will have their furniture on display so you can sit and test. If you’re ordering online, then try to find a similar piece of furniture to try out. For example, you can test out a typical Adirondack chair or a wicker couch, even if it’s not the exact brand you’re purchasing.
Side Tables
You’ll need a place to set your book or beverage. If your decor style is rustic, this could be a tree stump. If more formal, an actual outdoor side table might be your choice. Choose a vintage ice chest or cooler. You can even use a large wire basket with a wooden topper as a side table.
Re-purpose and use what you have available to make this area welcoming. Although having matched outdoor seating with tables would be great, it’s not always affordable. You don’t need to spend a ton of money, instead give the furniture you have a good cleaning and maybe a fresh coat of outdoor paint.
If having matched furnishings is important to you, then look for a classic style that won’t go out of fashion too quickly.
Outdoor Area Rugs
Using rugs in your outdoor area can pull all of your furniture together. Today’s outdoor rugs are weather resistant and can handle some heat and moisture. Rugs mark your outdoor space and give you a cohesive look. Synthetic rugs can stand up to the outdoor elements better than natural rugs, but there are a lot of choices out there. If you want a good comparison of the different types, check out this outdoor rug review guide from Gardener’s Path.
If you have an older faded outdoor rug, you can paint the rug to make it more attractive. Use outdoor paint and create a simple design such as stripes or squares to update your older rug.
Include a Fire Pit
Having a fire is a nice touch in your cozy area. It can warm you when there’s a chill in the air. But even in the summer, a fire can add some ambiance. Whether it’s a propane fire pit, a small moveable pit, or an in-ground fire pit, this is an asset to your seating area.
Create a Fire Kit to grab when you’re using your fire pit. A bucket with metal skewers, marshmallows, and the fixings for s’mores is great to keep handy if you frequently have company over to enjoy the outdoor fire.
Decorative Touches
It’s your decorative items that turn your outdoor area into a fun and relaxing spot to enjoy. Here are some common decorative items to add to your cozy outdoor living space…
Potted Plants
Add greenery and flowers to your seating areas. Use these to brighten up your “corner” or use plants to add privacy. You can grow potted vines on a trellis or just have movable pots to add color.
The beauty of movable pots is that you can use them wherever they’re needed. But also, you can replace them as they fade. In the spring you might have a potted peony to enjoy. As the flowers fade, you can replace the pot with one containing annuals. In the autumn, replace the potted annuals with a container of decorative cabbages, grasses, or chrysanthemums.
Lighting
Lights are a definite must for creating cozy evenings. Hang light strands, add solar lanterns, or even use candles in mason jars to light up your seating area. You can find some great lighting ideas in this post… 5 Quick and Easy Ways to Make Your Garden Sparkle at Night.
Blankets
Blankets add warmth to your outdoor area. They make an area look cozy and they can take the chill off early morning or late-night visits. For outdoor areas without a protective cover, store your blankets in a water-resistant basket or box when not in use.
You might also want to change these out for different seasons. In the winter, a nice wool blanket or down-alternative comforter would provide extra warmth. In the spring and autumn months, a colorful quilt might be optimal. During the summer months, just a light-weight throw might be needed.
Pillows
Add pops of color to your outdoor areas with pillows. Use weather-resistant fabrics or create pillow covers that you can easily clean. Purchase outdoor pillows when they go on clearance. Even if they’re not in a pattern that matches your decor, you can easily make a removable cover.
With the fabrics you choose for blankets and pillows, be sure to include your favorite colors. We want this cozy garden area to reflect what appeals to us, so be sure to select patterns, colors, and even “sayings” that mean the most to you.
Garlands, Flags, and Vintage Finds
Adding favorite decorations to your outdoor hideaway can stamp this space with your personality. You can create outdoor banners and garlands to hang from the porch or trees. Make decorative flags to put in your flower pots. Use vintage containers for your flowers.
Here are a few garden decor items you can use to decorate your cozy seating area:
- A Vintage Bike
- Old Doors
- Wooden Windows
- Vintage Screens
- A Garden Gate
- Window Boxes
- Shutters
- Outdoor Umbrella
- Apple Crates
- Vintage Urns
Read… 10 Awesome Garden Decor Ideas That Will Delight You
Water Feature
Who doesn’t love to hear the sounds of a burbling brook or cascading waterfall? Unfortunately, we can’t always have a stream running through our garden. But water is magical. It attracts birds, butterflies, and other creatures to your garden sanctuary. And it adds another layer of comfort to your retreat.
Consider these ideas for bringing water into your garden. Include a birdbath or water bowl close by. Purchase a small bubbler or mini waterfall. Add a small outdoor pond. Build or purchase a water fountain.
Food and Beverages
Finally, every outdoor space needs some delicious foods and beverages! You might sip on a cup of coffee in the early morning hours. You can grab an iced tea in the afternoon. Or finish the evening with a plate of appetizers and a glass of wine.
During the months when you’ll spend the most time in your cozy outdoor area, keep your pantry stocked with foods that are easy to grab or make. You might also consider purchasing some dishware specifically for eating outdoors that will be less likely to be damaged if dropped or left outside overnight.
Creating a cozy outdoor area is such a wonderful way to enjoy your garden. Sit and listen to the birds, share some laughter with a friend, or plan your next outdoor project all in the comfort of your garden.
Gardening is about the doing… planting, growing, and harvesting. But don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the abundance and beauty of what you’re creating. Take time to just sit in your garden and relax. Right now is the “perfect” moment to create a cozy garden retreat and enjoy all your hard work.
