Furniture arranged on the lawn always feels temporary and annoyingly it has to be moved every time you mow. So, if you have the space, consider creating a sunken area for seating, furnished with a table, chairs and umbrella.

Expert tip: Use this area as a planting opportunity. Create planting pockets in the tops of the walls and make flower beds for scented blooms of salvia and lavender. Crazy paving from recycled broken slabs can made to fit any shape. Use them for wavy-edge beds that look interesting from an upstairs window.

OUTDOOR ROOM

Turn your garden into a gorgeous room by transforming boring paving at the back of the house into a sheltered allweather dining area, protected by a pergola.

Expert tip: A patio made from smooth paving gives an even surface for furniture, but you can extend the area for entertaining using gravel. Use aggregate of at least 20mm to discourage cats using it as a litter tray and allow 40kg per square metre.

SUN SPOTS

Follow the sun and make a note of the best spots for sitting out at different times of day. Create seating areas that offer the alluring promise of a secret hideaway to read or take a nap in as well as being a place to congregate with friends.

Expert tip: Nothing’s nicer than chilling in a flower meadow. So consider turning over part of your lawn to wild prairie planting with a mixture of herbaceous species and ornamental grasses. Leave a clearing for sitting and cover the ground with pavers or bark.

DECKING

Create a raised wooden deck to overlook the most scenic spots of your garden. Plant the beds behind the decking with colourful, scented plants but keep in mind that some of these may attract bees!

Expert tip: Make your sitting area roomy enough to accommodate a 5ft bench and a coffee table or dining set with three or four chairs. When guests come, put a bouquet on the table, relax back and admire your handiwork!

PATHS

Paths can be used to not only link areas of the garden but to make strolling through it more interesting. So opt for curves and soft angles rather than straight lines and sharp corners because even the slightest curve in a path helps soften the view and makes it feel more peaceful. If you want to capture the look and atmosphere of an authentic old English garden, try combining different materials. Stone pavers, for example, are an attractive match for both gravel and decorative brick work.

Expert tip: Why not create viewing points along your path? At spots where you’ll want to linger longer, fill the cracks between paving stones with low-growing colourful flowers, creeping greenery, and aromatic herbs such as thyme and pennyroyal that will release clouds of their sensuous fragrance when trodden underfoot.

Style tip Seating is key to your design, so spend time thinking where it will be – beside the house or in a suntrap – and how it will look, from sunken patio, to decking or a simple brick area.

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1)    The Rattan Cube Set
Rattan cube sets have fast become one of the most popular choices for outdoor dining. Their adaptable design means that they can not only be used for dining but also for relaxing. Rattan cube sets can be purchased in a variety of different sizes and with a variety of different seating options. Cube sets are available in 2 / 4 person, 4 / 8 person, and 6 / 10 person. These sets typically consist of a table, armchairs with fold down back rests and footstools that can be used as additional seating. The chairs are comfortable and supportive and include seat and back cushions and the stools come with a thick cushion so that they are comfortable when used as seating and when not using this set for dining they are perfect for putting your feet up and relaxing.
The key feature that sets cube dining furniture aside from other types of garden furniture is that when they are not being used the stools fit away under the chairs and the chairs fit away under the table creating a unique space saving design. Most of the cube sets have a weather resistant cover option so that during the colder months the set can be tucked away in the corner of the garden and completely covered so that you will not need to take up any space in the shed or garage over the winter months
To view our full range of Rattan Cube Sets please follow this link:
www.

2)    The Corner Dining Set
Rattan corner dining sets are up and coming in the garden furniture industry. These versatile rattan garden furniture sets consist of an L shaped corner sofa which can typically seat around 5 people, a generous rectangular table with a tempered glass surface and 3 footstools which then creates seating for up to 8 people. All of the rattan corner sets that we have at Garden Furniture Life include comfortable seat cushions and pillow style back cushions for optimum comfort and style.
The key feature that sets rattan corner dining sets aside is that the multifunctional design will enable you to enjoy alfresco dining with all the family but will also provide you with a comfortable place to relax and unwind, simply move the table aside and put your feet up on the padded footstools. With a wide variety of colours available you can rest assured that this garden furniture will sit beautifully in a large garden or patio area.
To view our full range of Corner Dining Sets please follow this link:
www.

3)    The Sun Lounger
Sun loungers have been an essential garden furniture piece for many years. They are available in a wide selection of styles and material types to suit all needs and to co-ordinate with your existing outdoor surroundings. Here at Garden Furniture Life we can provide you with a choice of rattan, textylene, metal or wooden sun loungers, all of which will offer you with a place to lounge, recline and relax on a warm summer’s day. All of the sun loungers we have listed can be left outside all year round and require very little maintenance, however we do also offer some smaller fold away sun loungers should you wish to have something than you can simply take out the shed as and when you need it that will not take up much space.
To view our full range of Sun Loungers please follow this link:
www.

4)   The Wooden Garden Bench
Wooden garden benches are a traditional and timeless garden furniture piece. Garden benches are available in either hardwood or softwood both of which have their own unique set of features and benefits. Our garden bench range includes benches that seat from 1 person up to 3 people and come in a variety of different colour finishes. The beauty of a wooden garden bench is that it can provide a comfortable place to relax in the garden or outdoor space and with only a small amount of maintenance can be enjoyed for many years. Why not add an optional plaque and create the perfect place to rest and reminisce about a loved one and times gone by. All types of wooden garden bench can be treated and maintained to keep your garden furniture looking beautiful and rustic throughout the seasons. When properly maintained wooden garden furniture can last for a great number of years.
To View our full range of Garden Benches please follow this link:
www.

5)    The Spreader Bar Hammock
Hammocks have been around since the days when sailors used them aboard their ships to maximise sleeping space whilst still providing a comfortable place to rest their heads. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, colours and styles. There are single user hammocks right up to family sized hammocks that will fit 2 adults and 2 children comfortably! You can select from a variety of different fixtures and fittings to support the hammock depending on whether it is going to be attached between trees, suspended from the ceiling or on a freestanding frame we have all the accessories you could possibly need to get your hammock in place.
The key feature of a spreader bar hammock is that they are much easier to get in and out of when compared with the more traditional Brazilian style hammock. The spreader bar opens up the hammock making it a flatter surface on which to relax also allowing for the sun’s rays to reach you from every angle. Jazz up the look of your garden with the vast array of colour options available.
To view our full range of Garden Accessories please follow this link:
www.

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Rattan Garden Furniture forms an important part of every house-holders summertime leisure activity.  Garden Furniture Life are part of the Gudrum family of web sites.  We are a major importer and distributor of many types of furniture but especially rattan garden furniture through our trading web sites:  www.gardenfurniturelife.co.uk and www.gardenchic.co.uk

Our Rattan Dining Sets are available with speedy delivery, many feature interest free credit options, subject to status and all are simply superb value.  The always popular Rattan Cube Sets are selected for the quality construction, the aluminium frame, to avoid rusting etc, and simply the superb value for money  The stools and chairs are delivered ready assembled with welded construction to avoid things coming loose over time.  The Rattan Corner Dining Sets are also selected for the same reason and again, are simply superb value.

Rattan Garden Furniture is virtually maintenance free.  Most customers would simply leave the larger sets outside on the patio all year round.  Most cushions are shower resistant however we advise that cushions should be stored indoors and certainly not left outside for long periods. It requires occasional cleaning with warm water and a soft brush.  Many Rattan Garden Furniture table featture a tempered glass surface.  This is very easy to clean simply using a damp cloth.

Rattan Garden Furniture has become the best selling garden furniture style over the past few years.  The reasons for this are many but include:  Very low environmental footprint – the dominant range before rattan was wood and especially teak.  The major issue with teak, in particular, is that it relies on sourcing teak timber as a raw material.  Teak is a very beautiful hardwood but as it grows very slowly, and therefore is very difficult to replace even in the long term and in the short term is impossible to replace, it leaves a huge and potentially very damaging environmental footprint.  Also wooden garden furniture requires regular maintenance and ldeally it needs to be stored indoors when not in sue for prolonged periods whereas Rattan Garden Furniture is a manufacturered product requiring minimal mintenance and can be kept outdoors.

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