URBAN OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Creating a private oasis in the city requires clever design. Here are seven best tips for using your furniture to build sanctuary. First, use furniture as a spatial divider. Position a tall bench or a daybed perpendicular to a wall to create a visual and physical barrier from neighboring areas. Second, layer your space. Place lower seating in front of taller planters or screens; this staggered height adds depth and seclusion. Third, embrace vertical gardening. Incorporate tall, potted plants like bamboo, ornamental grasses, or climbing vines on trellises alongside your seating group to form living walls. Fourth, angle your furniture. Instead of pushing all furniture flat against walls, angle chairs and tables inward. This focuses the layout on itself, fostering intimacy and diverting attention from outside sightlines. Fifth, choose multi-functional pieces. Opt for storage benches that hold cushions or planters, or use large, movable planters on casters as flexible privacy screens. Sixth, incorporate textiles. Outdoor curtains, retractable canopies, or even a sturdy market umbrella can define a space and provide overhead coverage. Seventh, add ambient elements. Strategic lighting, a small water feature, or wind chimes can distract from urban noise and draw focus inward. The key is to define your zone, use height and greenery strategically, and make every piece work double-duty for both function and seclusion.