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24 Relaxing Garden Nooks Far From the Madding Crowd

Published on May 6, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

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If you’re craving a secret garden spot to rest and dream, these ideas are for you. These home garden nooks are perfect for reading, resting, and dreaming.

For more also see 25 Planter Ideas for Porches and Front Gardens.

Cozy lounge chair in the garden.

Inviting Outdoor Seating Areas

Lounge chair in a flower-filled garden nook.

Whenever I go on home garden tours, I’m looking for ideas. Along with interesting plant combinations and garden art, sitting areas top the list.

What’s a beautiful garden without somewhere to sit and dream?

Not that I plan to do that while visiting gardens, but there’s something about a seating area that makes a garden an outdoor home.

Some seating areas are purely decorative, using furniture that would be neither cozy nor encourage napping.

Others go for complete comfort, setting a perfect scene for a good book and better nap.

Have a look and see which ones you like best. The one at the top of the post (which you’ll see again from another viewpoint at the end of this post), is probably my favorite. Comfortable, secluded, surrounded by sweet smelling flowers. Oh ya.

1Lounge Chairs with Umbrella

This country garden had a blue theme running throughout it.

Taupe lounge chairs in the garden with blue pillows and an overhead sun umbrella.

This lounge chairs are in a garden where blue is used as a theme color throughout the space.


Collage of different garden theme ideas

Related: 8 Creative Themes to Bring Your Dream Garden to Life


2Old Fashion Front Porch

There’s nothing like the shade of a nice big porch on summer day.

Large covered porch with seating area
Large Victorian porch with seating area

Front porch with beautiful black urn planted with pink flowers.

Related: 25 Ideas for Welcoming Porches and Front Gardens


3Garden Deck with Treasures

This garden was on a rural tour. It was quite unexpected to find so many plants and treasures on this deck next to the woods.

Garden terrace with bistro set, potted plants, and decor
Bistro set surrounded by potted plants and wall decor

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4Covered Patio with Outdoor Kitchen

Lovely covered patio and how nice to have the cooking area built in with a sink and fridge.

Outdoor kitchen with dining area
Outdoor kitchen with dining area

Garden art easels.

Related: Gallery of Garden Art Easels


5Tree Branch Bench

This bench is made from lumber and tree branches. I’m not sure if it’s sturdy enough for humans but it definitely looks pretty with the red flowers.

Rustic white garden bench
Rustic white garden bench

Old-fashioned wagon used as a flower planter.

Related: 22 Creative Wagon Planter Ideas


6Deck with Shade Lattice

I’m not a big fan of gazebos. I think they are too pricey and offer an awkward sitting area. But some gardeners dream of them so who am I to judge?

Wooden gazebo with patio chairs
Wooden gazebo with patio chairs

Old doors and windows used as garden decor.

Related: Gallery of Doors and Windows in the Garden


7Deck with Blue Theme

This bench provides storage along with a place to sit.

Garden storage bench with blue decor
Garden storage bench with cushions

See it at Amazon:
70 Gallon Storage Deck Bench


8Front Porch Gathering Spot

It’s rare to see houses with nice deep porches with enough room to gather—but this one is perfect.

Front porch gathering spot with chairs and plants
Front porch gathering spot with chairs and plants

Succulents growing in an old birdbath.

Related: Turn a Birdbath into a Planter


9Red Chairs by Garden Pond

The choice of red for the chairs turns the sitting area into a lovely focal point next to the pond.

Backyard pond with red Adirondack chairs.
Backyard pond with red Adirondack chairs

Garden art boots and sunface.

Related: Garden Art that Shows your Personality


10Open Deck with Modern Chairs

This deck has a modern vibe with the curved chairs and bright green cushions.

Open backyard deck with modern style chairs
Modern deck chairs

11Rustic Shed with Long Bench

Rustic log shed with outdoor chairs and long bench
Long garden bench, table, and chair by rustic shed

Blue garden shed with butterfly art.

Related: Gallery of 50 Garden Shed Ideas


12Flagstone Patio

This garden is in a small town. The owner bought the property just a few years earlier and transformed it from plain to wonderful.

Yellow and blue make a strong, cheerful color combination.

Flagstone patio with yellow chairs around table and blue decorative accent pieces
Colorful patio with yellow chairs and blue accent pieces

13Pool-Side Patio with Wicker Chairs

If you’re going to keep your patio cushions outside, be sure to get water-resistant ones like these ones.

Wicker patio set with colorful flower planter
Wicker patio set with colorful flower planter

14Bistro Table and Chairs

I don’t know if you tell from the photo, but the flowerpot is decoupaged with butterflies and wildflowers. Delightful!

You can get one-of-a-kind flowerpots like this on Etsy.

Black metal bistro set with two chairs and table.
Black bistro set with two chairs

Watering can garden art

Related: Gallery of Watering Can Garden Art Ideas


15Covered Patio with Outdoor Kitchen

Lovely covered patio and how nice to have the cooking area built in with a sink and fridge.

Outdoor kitchen with dining area
Outdoor kitchen with dining area

Blue-themed garden decor including plates, cushions, art, and doors.

Related: Blue-Themed Garden Art & Decor Ideas


16Garden Bench with Sun Cover

I think this sun cover is calling out for vines!

Garden bench with sun cover
Garden bench with built-in sun cover

Garden art on fence including old window with shutters and funny face.

Related: 25+ Creative Ideas to Dress Up Your Garden Fence


17Wood Chairs in Shade

This looks like the perfect spot to admire the garden and catch up on a good book.

Old wood chairs with dog statues in garden
Old wood chairs with dog statues

18Wicker Chairs on Porch

The designer who owns this home kept to a black/white/grey country living style theme.

White wicker chairs on Victorian front porch
White wicker chairs on Victorian front porch

19Vine Covered Gazebo

Now that’s a good shady spot!

Vine-covered gazebo
Vine-covered gazebo

20Bench on Shady Path

This garden had long winding paths and lots of rest spots along the way with good, solid garden benches.

Garden bench on shady path in woods
Garden bench on shady path in wooded area

See it at Amazon:
Baltic Garden Bench


Garden bench with inlaid glass mosaic tiles.

Creative garden benches in the garden.

Related: 17 Creative & Rustic Garden Bench Ideas


21Shed Deck with Potted Plants

I’m a big fan of putting collections together for a bigger impact in the garden.

Here they have a nice collection of potted plants plus some old oil cans all painted black.

Colorful deck chairs and potted plants
Colorful deck chairs and potted plants

22Deck with Shade Lattice

If you live in our region (Ontario, Canada), sun cover is essential.

We get hot, humid summer days and there’s no sitting outside unless you have a shady spot like this.

Large lattice-covered outdoor patio area
Lattice-covered outdoor patio area

23Front Porch with Garden

This garden follows one important rule for great impact: make your borders deep and give plants room to breathe and grow.

Front porch with chairs surrounded by plants
Large garden bed surrounding front porch

Supplies for making garden art.

Related: My Favorite DIY Garden Art Resources


24Large Covered Patio with Wisteria

Always make your deck or patio bigger than you think you need.

Often people plan for a patio table and chairs but don’t think about having room to sit together and chat or move around.

While I’m ranting, porches on newer houses are always too small for any meaningful use.

Large patio with wisteria growing overhead
Large covered patio with wisteria

Beware: American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is invasive in some regions.

25Reading Nook

And here we are back at my favorite little outdoor nook from all of the garden tours.

Time to catch up on a book and have a nap.

Cozy lounge chair in the garden.
Cozy garden lounge chair surrounded by plants

Resources

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25 Garden Art Projects & Ideas

by Melissa J. Will

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~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Lounge chair in a flower-filled garden nook.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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