UK Customer Services Mon-Fri 9-5
Buying Guide
Garden lounge sets and corner sofa ideas: How to find the perfect fit for your space
Looking to upgrade your garden furniture? A luxury garden corner sofa makes for the perfect centrepiece in any outdoor space, blending sophistication with comfort.
Looking to upgrade your garden furniture? A luxury garden corner sofa set makes for the perfect centrepiece in any outdoor space, blending sophistication with comfort.
Whether you’re planning a summer of casual outdoor lounging with family or hosting a series of fabulous al fresco dinners with friends, having ample garden seating is essential. But with so many factors to consider, investing in the right statement outdoor piece can be a difficult process.
In this buying guide, we’ll explore how to choose the perfect garden lounge sofa or corner sofa set for your outdoor space, covering key considerations including dimensions, materials, and style, as well as varying functions and lifestyles.
Why choose a garden lounge or corner sofa set?
Gone are the days of uncomfortable, rigid garden chairs. Now, more than ever, homeowners are viewing their gardens as an extension of their home, with both style and comfort taking priority. A garden sofa is exactly this. It offers a comfortable place to sink into and relax, inviting you to switch off, unwind, and enjoy the great outdoors.
How to choose the right garden lounge set or corner sofa for your space
With so many beautiful garden lounge sets to choose from, it can be tricky deciding on the right fit for your garden - but that’s where we can help. Let’s run through the four most important considerations to help you match with your dream outdoor sofa…
1. Measure your space
Firstly, and arguably the most important factor, is choosing the right size sofa. Before you fall in love with that lavish 12-seater corner lounge set, it’s essential to be realistic about how much outdoor space you have to play with. Measure the length and width of your entire garden, as well as your chosen sofa spot. Make sure to account for walking space around the sofa and leave enough room for people to move in and out of the seating area with ease.
Top tip: Smart laser tape measures are the best for accurate measurements, and many models can even calculate the volume of space for you.
2. Match your lifestyle
To decipher the best shape and number of seats you’ll need for your garden sofa, it’s a good idea to think about your lifestyle. Are you envisioning a cosy spot for you and your family to enjoy post-work alfresco dinners? Perhaps a compact piece like our Savannah Rope Corner Sofa Lounge Set, which comfortably seats up to four people, is the ideal choice?
Or, maybe you’re the social hub of the friendship group, and you’re planning a summer of regular outdoor hosting? Then our extravagant Valentina Corner Lounge Dining Set with Adjustable Table is probably more your style. This corner lounge set features an innovative adjustable table, so you can keep it low for drinks and nibbles, and then raise it to a dining table height for serving dinner. Genius!
3. Choose durable, long-lasting materials
Balancing luxury with longevity is no easy feat, but it’s achievable. All of Atkin and Thyme’s outdoor furniture is built to last, prioritising quality hand-finished craftsmanship and sturdy materials, such as strong powder-coated aluminium frames and intricate rope weaves. Materials like these make for more durable outdoor furniture that’s sure to last for years to come - because nobody wants to repurchase a brand-new garden sofa every summer.
Best durable garden sofa materials
4. Consider climate and weather
If you live in the UK, you likely need to keep in mind the unpredictable British summer weather! Whilst we can’t control the elements, we can choose outdoor furniture that’s equipped to handle sporadic summer drizzles.
All of Atkin and Thyme’s garden sofas are crafted from sturdy, weatherproof materials that are resistant to rust (from the rain) and fading (from the sun). Plus, many of our sofa cushions are also water-repellent, UV-resistant, and quick-drying, meaning they’ll bounce back fast after unexpected summer showers. Benefits like these are a game-changer for outdoor summer entertaining.
Top tip: To keep your outdoor sofa or corner sofa in top condition, we would always recommend covering it with an Outdoor Furniture Cover when not being used for longer periods. Throughout the winter months, either bring your furniture indoors, if you have space, or keep it covered.
Styling tips for your garden sofa
Now you’ve chosen the perfect garden sofa; it’s time to think about styling it. Here are our top tips for creating a beautiful outdoor oasis with your corner sofa…
Clever garden positioning
The first thing to think about is where you’re going to position your new garden sofa. Whilst it may be tempting to place it in the centre of your garden, this may be a waste of precious space - particularly if you’re working with a smaller garden.
Instead, consider creating a cosy seating area with your sofa on one side of the garden. Or, as it says in the name, why not place your corner sofa in the corner? This keeps things nice and compact and frees up extra garden space for plants, more furniture, or simply space for the kids to run around.
Top tip: If you consider yourself a sun worshipper, make sure to work out which way your garden faces and put your sofa in the spot that’s going to receive the most sunlight, for long hours baking in the sunshine. Thank us later…
Add elegant seat cushions and blankets
Just like the sofa in your living room, a garden sofa looks even more elevated when it has thoughtful accessories, like rugs, cushions, and blankets. Think about your colour scheme first - do you envision something that blends in with your wider palette, or do you want a pop of colour? We like sticking to neutral shades but introducing subtle patterns, like our gorgeous Grey Striped Embroidered Scatter Cushion, for added depth and texture. Coordinate with a matching grey blanket or throw, and you’ve got a beautifully cohesive corner that’s layered to perfection.
Use greenery to sculpt your space
Finally, don’t forget about adding some greenery. By strategically planting flowers and plants around your corner sofa, you can seamlessly blend it into the rest of your garden, helping to make your outdoor furniture feel like it’s always belonged there. Whether you plant directly into the soil, add potted plants to your patio, or hang flowers above your sofa from a beautiful pergola, you can easily sculpt your outdoor space to blur the boundaries of indoors and outdoors.
Now, you have all the tools to choose the perfect garden lounge set for your unique outdoor space. With this handy buying guide and styling tips, you can find the right size, shape, and style of garden sofa to create your dream outdoor sanctuary.
Feeling inspired? Shop Atkin and Thyme’s full collection of contemporary garden sofas and outdoor corner sofa sets:
