Feng Shui for your Garden

Feng Shui is a wonderful starting point to think about your garden design scheme. After all, we all want our outside space to feel relaxing and simply a beautiful place to be with peace, serenity and enjoyment all year round. If you want to know how to design a garden landscape based on this age-old Chinese design philosophy, first you need to familiarise with its key principles.

Design Principles for your Feng Shui Garden

Feng Shui translates to ‘wind and water’ both of which act as the source of all life energy according to traditional Chinese beliefs. Also known simply as chi, you should always consider how to bring this life energy into every aspect of your Feng Shui garden space as you go through the design process.

You also need to attain the right balance of the five elements - Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire – in your garden to really do the job. But where does everything go and what elements should each part of your garden connect with and what can you use to make this happen? You can find out below with our Feng Shui theory map…

North-east

Personal and spiritual growth

North

Your career path and overall life path

East

Health, family and longevity

South and Southeast

Wealth, money and abundance

West and Southwest

Romance, luck and creativity, energy (especially that of children)

Even if you’re looking at garden design for small spaces, there are simple ways to turn this theory into something tangible and nourishing for all the senses. You simply need to adapt the key principles and tools to create a strong Feng Shui garden design.

Avoid straight, harsh lines and go for curved, gentle pathways to encourage a good chi flow. You can also use this idea of smooth, easy flow within the details of your Feng Shui garden.

Feng Shui Garden Ornaments

Feng Shui garden décor is another important way to utilise the theory and create positive flow and energy. Add water features to those areas where you want to encourage growth and prosperity – that’s money, health and your career path (southeast, east, north). An outdoor fountain will work beautifully. Bring light elements such as a fire pit, fairy lights or lanterns to the Fire areas, wind chimes and sculptures to the north area for the Metal element, and wooden furnishings to the eastern area to honour the Wood element. A zen garden with pleasant rock formations and flowerpots will work beautifully in the north east area to encourage the Earth element and positive energy flow towards personal growth and nurture.

Bringing your Feng Shui Garden to Life

Now that we’ve explained the basics of Feng Shui garden theory, it’s time for the fun part! Bring your garden to life with these beautiful pieces from our collections:

Many people find an animal-themed ornament very soothing for the Metal areas and Ribbet the Frog is a perfect example. Up-cycled by local village workforce in Vietnam, it is both a charming and eco-friendly ornament that provides income to those in need. Puss the Cat is also a popular option.

Colours play a major role in the Feng Shui theory to encourage the right energy. This is why we recommend using warm, rusty tones of red and brown in Fire areas. The Aspen fire pit has a lovely brass effect and sloping lines to encourage good chi. A cast iron fire bowl will also work well where attractive, painted framework adds a subtle, tactile sense of character to any outdoor space.

Wooden elements such as a dining set or swing chair will bring a powerful sense of strength to your space. We love this Oak Swing Seat made using Responsibly Sourced Oak from Managed Forests in Europe. With space for three people to relax, it is a work of rustic brilliance. Original natural features add authenticity and create a deeper connection to the natural world. Furnishings in reclaimed teak will also do the job nicely.

Creating a Soothing Space

We hope that you enjoy creating your Feng Shui garden! Browse our collections today for even more inspiration on how to create that flee flowing chi and reap all the benefits that such a tranquil, energising space will bring.

You might be wondering what home décor is in style for this season – and what garden décor too! But we would always recommend going for timeless and unique styles. That way, you won’t be tied to a trend and each product can be tailored to your personal taste and interior design scheme. Our home décor collections are some of the most inspirational around. With items sourced from as far afield as Vietnam and India, we also have plenty of bespoke pieces.

Upcycled Furniture

When looking for home décor tips and ideas, people love products that tell a story. Upcycled furniture is both good for the environment and has its own style personality, often with a great story to match. Case in point and we think you will love our bestselling Tuk Tuk bar. Imported from India and upcycled from decommissioned tuk tuks, it offers something entirely unique with every product bespoke and based on the original colour scheme of the working tuk tuk.

This also means you can tie into home décor colour trends for 2019 if you so wish. The entire bar rests on a reclaimed, hand finished wooden base, the original window acts as the serving hatch and even the headlights still work, making it ideal to step up the party wherever you are!

Reclaimed Teak Root Furniture

Natural wood furnishings are always popular because they offer beautiful original features and unique details. Every piece of our reclaimed teak root furniture is handmade and entirely bespoke to the buyer. This means that no two pieces are exactly the same. Browse our diverse range to understand more about which home decor suits your personality.

Perhaps you will fall for the quirky aesthetic on this rustic root side table where every individual piece has been hand worked and cut to form the solid base. Or maybe the lovely earthy feel on this reclaimed teak goat stall will take your fancy. The smooth teak and soft goat hide offers a unique tactile blend. These are some of the finest examples of how upcycled furniture can bring an authentic sense of originality to your space.

LED Furniture

If you’re interested in home décor for positive energy, then LED furniture may be right up your street. This trend has really taken off with vibrant colourways and eye-catching pieces. Brighten up your interior or garden space with this LED flower pot or jazz up your patio with the LED round chair that comes with 16 colour options. Customers also love the super-stylish curved bar with smoked black glass top that brings the party right to your home or commercial setting.

Novelty Drinks Coolers

We’ve all faced that challenge of keeping our drinks cool during the Great British summer. A bucket filled with ice isn’t ideal for practicality or aesthetics! Personally, we love a novelty item to bring a bit of fun to your garden space. Our drinks coolers will do just that. Bright and colourful, you can choose from a whole range of themes and sizes.

From a Land Rover style to the Spitfire, there is something to satisfy the kid in all of us. Our bestselling Bruce The Bull Cooler features a rear compartment for putting ice and drinks. He also has a bottle opener on his bottom!

Metal Garden Ornaments

Many of our drinks coolers also have a great tale to tell which is perfect if you’re seeking timeless home décor. As part of our Metal Garden Ornaments collection, they have been recycled from used 44-gallon shipping drums by skilled craftspeople in Vietnam. Each one is designed to sustain and improve the lifestyle of the local Vietnamese people by providing both an income and a skillset. You also gain environmentally friendly bonus points in a functional and oh-so-pretty product.

The Garden Furniture Centre are widely considered to be one of the best places to buy home décor online with a beautiful selection of upcycled furniture to suit different design schemes. We hope you enjoy the collections!

If you’re wondering where to buy retro furniture online, then you’ve come to the right place! Here at the Garden Furniture Centre, we have a beautiful retro furniture range that is especially popular with commercial clients including restaurants, hotels and event planners. We also welcome many domestic buyers who love to invest in pieces that will never go out of style.

Retro Furniture

Many people like the look of retro furniture from the 60s and other key eras because there’s something about vintage of which we just can’t get enough. There are so many ways to style retro items too to create a gorgeous outdoor aesthetic – these are our top three tips...

Pare It Back

The beauty of retro is that it already speaks its own style language and makes an impact thanks to its unique character. One way you can style is with a minimalist, stripped-back look. This is especially effective if your garden is more about the low-key style in terms of plants and flowers, perhaps with a very simple colour scheme, or if you’ve done the opposite and gone for a very busy garden with lots of foliage and plants against which your simple retro garden furniture will stand out. If you like to strip it back, we love the Retro Windsor Leisure Set with its simple yet graceful design including two chairs with high curved back and a matching table featuring distressed metalwork.

Embrace Shabby Chic

You never need to ask the question “Is retro furniture in style?” because it’s never off-trend! As another timeless trend, shabby chic works beautifully in an outdoor setting along with vintage pieces to add impact to your space. This retro dining table does the job very nicely with smooth white hues and an antique finish. As with all our retro outdoor furniture, it’s also super lightweight and virtually maintenance-free with capped feet for added protection.

Colour It Up

Retro furniture trends have become brighter and more beautiful in recent years, and it’s not uncommon to see a range of colour and style options with vintage-style pieces. This is a gorgeous way to brighten up your garden whatever the weather or season. We have a range of retro chair sets coated with tough lacquer paint in vibrant colours with a choice of cross back or classic styles and a 4- or 6-chair set. Choose from soft pink, buttercup yellow, sky blue and bright green – match them up or mix them up for a gorgeous rainbow effect.

If space is an issue in your patio or garden, you can always add a touch of retro glamour with a statement piece, Our inviting love bench features scroll arms, a vibrant green colour palette and ample space for two. We also love this chic bar table that makes a subtle impact for all the right reasons thanks to a high ornate leg structure and smooth slatted top.

Our range of retro furniture has all been created using tough but lightweight aluminium frames that will remain rust-free when used outdoors. For guaranteed beauty and longevity with your garden furniture, look no further! Click here to browse our full range of retro garden furniture.

One major benefit of seamless home design from the inside out is that residents and guests are able to enjoy the flow of the property, with each new arch or doorway bringing subtle but mood-altering differences. First-class home design doesn’t have to be confined within four walls, though - with some strategic design updates, the internal warmth and character of a home can be fused with the natural beauty and tranquility of the outside world.

Harmoniously combining indoor and outdoor design can be tricky, as you don’t want to jeopardise the feel or practicality of either space - but the personal rewards that come with getting this right are undeniable. Below, we’ve outlined some key considerations to bear in mind when creating a ‘transterior’ area in your own home - where the divide between inside and outside spaces becomes all but nonexistent.

Create a logical layout ...

When coming up with ideas for your transterior space, make sure to acknowledge important natural considerations, such as sunlight, shade and exposure to wind, to ensure external factors like these don’t get in the way of achieving the outcome you have in mind. Design elements such as furniture and accessories are completely within your control, but the elements unfortunately aren’t!

You can install large patio doors to create the illusion of additional space, which can be further complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows. For the ultimate transterior impact, though, consider actually removing a wall altogether or replacing it with support columns. This update allows physical barriers separating the interior and exterior to be eliminated completely, creating an airy, open space.

Make sure to choose your entrance point carefully, as open-plan indoor/outdoor spaces work best when they’re fluid in design, so that movement throughout the entire space is natural and unobstructed for guests and homeowners alike.

Plan with a purpose ...

The ultimate transterior space should create a greater sense of freedom in the home while also simplifying any pastimes you enjoy here - and depending on your unique needs and ambitions, this space can serve a variety of worthwhile purposes. For example, in a functional extension such as a garage or conservatory, plant-lovers can kit out this space with sturdy garage shelving units and fill these to the brim with potted plants and terrariums, as well as all the gardening equipment they’ll need to keep their flora looking its best all year round.

Other popular options include al-fresco dining rooms, kitchen or barbecue areas, outdoor bars with stools placed for a breakfast or cocktail with a difference, and pool and bathing solutions (think huge shower heads, moat-like swimming pools which spread into the property itself, and baths surrounded by plants and stones for a long, relaxing soak).

When it comes to deciding on how exactly you’ll use your transitional space, the key is figuring out what will bring you the most joy, be the most practical and offer the most cost-effective outcome - in terms of both the initial build and future maintenance.

Make use of complementary materials ...

For a flawless transterior space, harmoniously marrying up indoor and outdoor elements is, of course, key - and by choosing materials which fuse naturally with the surroundings, this can be done easily. Consider sourcing wood and stone locally to mimic natural elements indoors and achieve this sense of harmony.

If locally sourced materials can’t be used in the build for whatever reason (be it cost, practicality or anything else), try to incorporate them as additional features - for example, by introducing natural rock partition walls or a living wall made entirely from lush plant life.

You should also ensure that the colours of the materials used are in fitting with both the property’s existing qualities and the neighbouring views. Make use of blues on higher surfaces to complement the blue of the sky, and introduce warmer colours like reds and oranges to make ground-level spaces feel warmer.

Find furniture that works for you ...

Wicker furniture is an ideal option for a natural-look living space, as it’s made from wood and is comfortable all year round - especially when paired with some cosy, earth-tone cushions. Water fountains and potted plants help to breathe life into the area, while adding a beanbag or two creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

By taking a creative approach to breaking the barrier between the indoors and outdoors of your home, you can build a property you love spending time in every day and improve its value in the process. For example, by simply adding decking to your garden area, you can increase the overall value of your home by up to 2%.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your transterior home improvement project today.

Garden structures can transform a garden in an instant while making the most of your outdoor space. The right garden structure can turn your garden into an additional room, an extension of your home.

But like any project around the home it is essential to get the planning right before you proceed as there are a number of factors to consider here.

How do you choose the right garden structure for your garden? What do you need to consider before buying a shed, gazebo, pagoda or log cabin? Here are some tips and advice on choosing the right garden building for your home.

Rule Out Restrictions …

Do you have neighbours? Are there any height restrictions you need to be aware of? Some garden structures may require planning permission from your local council and so it’s important to rule these out before making your choice.

Consider the Base …

Some garden structures such as a shed or a log cabin need a good solid base, such as concrete or slabs. You can also make a base out of wood to save money and time. Some structures require you to dig into the earth to secure the poles.

The structure you choose will depend on the type of base you can offer the structure. Usually, any problems can be worked around, such as the creation of a wooden base, or the use of a pick axe on concrete to create the depth needed to secure the frame.

Think of Its Use …

If you would like to work outside on a sunny day you may not need to go to the full expense of buying a garden office. You could happily find a dry spot with the shade of a gazebo and a bench and table.

If you’d like to work outside permanently you will need a log cabin or large shed to work from. If you would like a frame to grow flowers and arbour can provide a place to sit while giving Clematis and passionflowers space to grow.

If you’d like storage, consider cheap storage solutions for the garden before investing in an expensive shed. There are many benches and seating arrangements that offer storage today and these are ideal for the smaller garden.

Take Measurements …

So many people are foiled by online measurements. Pictures can make a product look smaller or larger than it actually is. A lot of people are disappointed when they find the garden structure they bought is either too small or doesn’t fit.

Measure the area you would like to fill and compare these to the measurements online, so you don’t receive any size surprises when you receive your new garden product.

How about one for all four seasons?

Well we can definitely help you with that.

Our Four Seasons Range of garden buildings, solarium's and gazebos is perfect for use all year round.

Made from a combination of polycarbonate panels and windows with tough aluminium frames they look highly contemporary and are completely functional whatever the time of year.

As we say goodbye to summer and welcome September, the idea of a comfortable and functional conservatory is all the more appealing as we cling to summer for as long as we can.

The adaptability of conservatories is perhaps their greatest asset, providing the home with an extra space to relax, dine, work or nap. While the weather becomes cooler and the days shorter, now is the time to make the most of your inside/outside room and prepare it for winter, so you can still make use out of it whatever the weather.

When it comes to reinvigorating this often forgotten space, it can be difficult to get inspired - so in today’s post, we’ll be taking you through a number of ways you can prepare for autumn and winter, designing a cosy conservatory for the months ahead.

Consider your flooring choices ...

As essential as the roof above your head, the conservatory flooring you choose will have an effect not just on aesthetics, but on insulation too - so it’s important you opt for the right choice.

With flooring needing to be both hard-wearing and easy to clean, tiles are the obvious choice. With an increasingly innovative range of tiles available from today’s tile retailers, there are tiles out there to suit every style and budget.

One of these options are ceramic terracotta floor tiles, which provide you with the visual comfort we associate with earthy browns, while retaining the easy-to-clean and durable qualities found in ceramics - making these an ideal choice for the on-trend and practical homeowner.

Alternatively, ‘wooden’ tiles are perfect if you want to embrace the natural look without the extra hassle when it comes to cleaning. These wood-look tiles look just as good as the real thing and mimic a range of popular wood species and styles - so consider exploring a more natural look when deciding on your preferred flooring choice.

Porcelain tiles are also worthy of a mention, as they offer natural slip resistance, are very low maintenance and are ideal for pairing with underfloor heating due to their heat conducting qualities.

Finesse your furnishings ...

The crux of a cosy conservatory is in its soft blankets and inviting furniture, so make sure you’ve stocked up on suitable furnishings.

Adorn your conservatory with luscious cotton throws and cushioned furniture to create a warm, welcoming aesthetic to keep you cosy when the weather turns chilly.

Conservatory furniture which incorporates wood or wood-look elements retains the organic element that highlights this room's best feature - its ability to work as a middle-ground between the garden and the home.

We strongly recommend you view our massive range of Conservatory Furniture and Accessories in a number of different styles for you to choose from.

Connect to your outdoor spaces with plants ...

With conservatories linking the garden to the home, these rooms look best when they combine elements of both spaces.

With the soft furnishings of a home interior present, the best way to bring balance to this indoor/outdoor room is to introduce an injection of foliage in the form of plants, flowers or even by growing fruit and veg.

Plenty of plants thrive in the often erratic temperatures associated with British conservatories, and if you want to achieve a particular level of humidity, modern glazing techniques can keep temperatures consistent and stable.

Keep in mind that different plants are best used in different environments. For warmer rooms, we’d recommend opting for Cycas, olives or palms - while unheated conservatories are best used to grow hardier fruits like lemons, limes and grapefruits, and exotic plants like Brugmansias, Clivias and Aspidistras.

Bigger plants can expand the space while smaller plants add pleasant texture and interest, so consider adding a mix of plant types for the best effect. Whatever plant you choose, make sure you tie it into your overall aesthetic with a stylish pot to round off the look.

Paint with a warming palette ...

A fresh lick of paint is perhaps the quickest way to implement a quick room revamp, offering the chance to develop or completely switch up the intended aesthetic of a room without breaking the bank.

A cosy colour palette will utilise neutrals across the largest surface areas, complementing this with pops of brighter colours throughout. One way to go could be to paint a light shade of magnolia across the majority of your conservatory’s walls, and then opt for a wallpaper mural incorporating botanicals or a repetitive pattern on one wall for an eye-catching focal point.

Jewel-inspired colours like purple, green and red can create a warm and wintery vibe too, and when coupled with throws, chair cushions or curtains, this can create an exciting burst of colour to brighten up those dull winter days.

Extend its use ...

While conservatories can operate as the centre of the home during the day and be enjoyed by the whole family, as night falls, chillier temperatures often send family members further indoors - meaning your extra space isn't achieving its full potential.

If blankets aren’t doing the job, consider investing in a mobile heater that you can store away during the day and bring out when needed. This way, the family can enjoy your conservatory during the day and night - all year round.

Well, if you’re reading this we guess the answer is ‘yes.’

After the festivities over Christmas and New Year January is often the month that many people start think about the next bit of home improvement for the coming year.

And often a new conservatory is top of the list.

It maybe they’ve realised over Christmas that they need more space to cope with the influx of an ever growing family unit or it may simply be the fact that there are some cracking offers to be found on conservatory builds and furnishings in the January Sales.

If it’s simply new conservatory furniture you’re looking for then you’re in the right place as we have a massive range of conservatory furniture with plenty of discounts available.

However, it may be you haven't got as far as the furniture yet, so below are a few new conservatory ideas to get the creative ideas flowing ...

5 great ideas for a new conservatory …

1. Windows, windows and more windows …

Adding a new extension made primarily of glass will bring the outdoors in and also flood the room with natural light making it a feature piece and real talking point.

And there’s plenty of options from glass kitchen extensions to glass living spaces or more traditional conservatory-type extensions.

2. Conservatory dining spaces …

Perhaps one of the more popular ideas for a new conservatory is to feature the area as a dining space.

This offers you the chance to accommodate large groups of people when entertaining friends and family in a spacious and attractive setting.

The options are endless here but one we think is particularly effective is to have glass doors running the length of an outer wall meaning they can be opened in summer to make the garden easily accessible in summer and left closed in winter to achieve a similar effect whilst keeping the heat in.

3. For those smaller spaces …

New conservatories don’t have to be large to have an impact on the home.

Smaller new conservatory spaces can be used to great effect and create very cosy rooms for quiet contemplation or as hobby spaces, etc.

There is also the added benefit that smaller new conservatory spaces may not be subject to the headaches of planning regulations.

Although we do suggest that you always consult the Planning Portal before you start with any extension to the home.

4. Garden Rooms for a 360 degree view …

When done properly garden rooms are a great way to give your home that, ‘new lease of life.’

If you have the space, ability and budget to extend out into your garden, then do it!

A stunning outdoor room can dramatically improve the look and feel of your home, providing a tranquil bolt hole from day-to-day life. Not to mention the extra value it can add to your property.

Our Four Seasons Range offers some great options for more instant Garden Rooms.

5. Updating the old to create the new …

Perhaps your new conservatory already exists but just isn’t so ‘new’ any longer?

Well, here’s your chance to get really creative and simply give it a fresh new look by changing its use or introducing a lick of paint and new furniture to transform it again.

Just take a look at this great post from the Ideal Home site to get some fabulous inspiration for this.

Do you know someone looking for a new conservatory in 2017? Why not share this post with them as a source of inspiration?

Simply click on your social weapon of choice below to do this now.

Perhaps we’re stating the obvious here but Outdoor Cushions should be the focal point for any type of outdoor furniture – whether it be a sofa set, dining set or simply a garden bench – they add the character and crowning detail.

They are crucial to the furniture’s success in your outdoor space and, we appreciate, you want them to remain that way.

What you don’t want is a set that look tired and worn after only six months of use or, even worse, a set that you retrieve from the shed after their winter break only to find they’re all mouldy and unusable.

So, we’ve put together your very own little checklist of what to and look for before and after you buy any piece of outdoor furniture that come with a set of cushions.

Sumptuous Outdoor Cushions on the Apple Day Bed ...

Outdoor Cushions – before you buy …

Every retailer of outdoor furniture will tell you that their cushions are …

”… fine to be left outside all year round."

However, as with anything you buy, outdoor cushions do not always do what the retailer says they do on the tin.

Therefore, you need to scrutinise the information on offer before you buy and do your research to avoid disappointment on, or months after, the delivery day.

The Fabrics:

A couple of things to remember here:

1. There is a difference between water resistant and water repellent.


2. Long words do not necessarily denote quality.

This is where search engines like Google come in very handy - take your time and put the long fabric names into the search bar to find out more details and be sure in your own mind that you really are buying the highest quality.

WE RECOMMEND:

Olefin Cushion Fabrics like those found on our Montana Range of Sofa Sets.

And, if a retailer advertises water repellent cushions they should really be able to back this up with videos and/or pictures that demonstrate this fact – take our Casablanca Range, for example.

The Fillings:

Again there are fillings and there are fillings when it comes to outdoor cushions.

And the fact is that the filling in any cushion that isn’t water repellent is going to get wet in the UK climate – probably on a regular basis.

So again listen to what the retailer has to say, whether it be verbally or in writing on a website or in a sales brochure, and then do a bit of your own digging to verify this.

WE RECOMMEND:

Look for those retailers who offer a resin fibre sandwich filling as these allow water to pass through and dry very quickly – all our outdoor cushions have a resin fibre filling for exactly this reason.

UK Fire Retardant Regulations:

This is a legal requirement for your safety and those around you but you’d be surprised how many retailers don’t adhere to this – so please do check and insist on this.

As a quick heads up, all our cushions do comply with UK Fire Retardant Regulations and this means that, the first time they get wet you may find a slight white residue appears on them – this is simply excess fire retardant solution, is perfectly normal, and can be removed by putting the covers through a light wash in the washing machine.

UV Stabilisers:

These are also a must really as they prevent the fabric colour dyes from fading in direct sunlight over time - there's nothing worse than a tired, shabby looking cushion.

High Spec Outdoor Bench Cushions ...

Outdoor Cushions – after you buy …

Obviously, it is not a good idea to leave your outdoor cushions outside all year – the chances are you will not be using them over the winter period so it is definitely a good idea to have a proper place to store them.

Before you store them:

Please ensure that both the fabrics and the fillings are 100% dry – and we mean bone dry – before you store them away. Any moisture left in the fabric or filling is highly likely to cause rot to occur giving you that nasty shock when you come to use them the following season.

WE RECOMMEND:

Buying a Cushion Box.

However once again do check that these are suitably robust, inner lined and have some ventilation as well.

Of course, we also do a fantastic range of Teak and Rattan Outdoor Cushion Boxes!

Ventilated Teak Cushion Boxes ...

Love Seats are becoming increasingly popular as novel seating options and as seats in smaller, more compact spaces both inside and outside the home.

Today the variety of designs available on the market is huge – all you have to do is take a look at the range of Love Seats  on our website to see this.

But the question on many people’s lips is –

‘who designed the first one?’

The ever evolving love seat design …

It’s not clear who designed the very first one but it’s believed that this ‘compact’ style of seating can be traced back to the 1600’s.

The first designs were not supposed to promote love between two people they were, in actual fact, meant as a seating option to accommodate ladies and their huge, flamboyant dresses during the 17^th and 18^th Centuries.

These designs were actually the first Setees.

The term ‘Love Seat’ was actually coined in the 19^th Century when it was realised that these smaller seats provided the perfect intimacy for courting couples to share their love for each other.

It is also thought that the first variations on the Setee style of the design were the eye-catching Tete-aTete’s or Shimoise’s of the mid-19th century that were built with the seats facing in different directions around a common armrest in the middle that allowed the lovers to gaze into each other’s eyes.

Over the years the design has evolved into many different forms for both indoor and outdoor use.

The Companion Seat is a common variation on the Love Seat design.

However, one thing has remained the same across all the varying designs – the novelty factor and the fact that they lend themselves to use in more compact spaces or as complimentary seating alongside larger sofa sets.

Below are a few examples from our catalogue.

The Drift Love Seat

Half Moon Love

Imperial Duo Love Set

We would like to reference the following pages that were really helpful whilst researching this article.

http://www.overstock.com/guides/history-of-the-sofa-loveseats

http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2012/02/the_love_seat_provides_comfort.html

Grand Designs Live Dates - 12th, 13th & 14th of October.

We can now confirm the that The Garden Furniture Centre will be showing some of its finest rattan conservatory furniture and we have free guest tickets to give away for each day of the event.

The event will be packed with over 500 exhibitors, across six different sections, covering interiors, gardens, home improvement, self-build, renovations, technology and shopping.

The Garden Furniture Centre Ltd - Stand L46


Grand Design Website event information.