Beautiful Ways to Furnish Your Verandah That Encourage It to Be Used
Before you furnish your verandah, porch, patio or balcony, think very carefully about how you would like to use the space
Whether you have a sweeping Queenslander verandah, petite balcony or backyard patio, how you furnish your valuable indoor/outdoor space will determine how it will be used. While filling a large verandah with a 12-seater dining table may seem like a good idea, if you rarely entertain in reality, then you will never make good use of that fabulous space.
So think honestly about how you live and how you think you’d most enjoy the space. Will you opt for just one comfortable chair to curl up with a good book? An outdoor kitchen for regular outdoor entertaining? Lounge-worthy soft furnishings that invite relaxed conversations over tea and cake? Or perhaps nothing more than a hammock to snooze away sultry Sunday afternoons? Maybe the following spaces will help you decide…
So think honestly about how you live and how you think you’d most enjoy the space. Will you opt for just one comfortable chair to curl up with a good book? An outdoor kitchen for regular outdoor entertaining? Lounge-worthy soft furnishings that invite relaxed conversations over tea and cake? Or perhaps nothing more than a hammock to snooze away sultry Sunday afternoons? Maybe the following spaces will help you decide…
Comfortable and cosy
If you have a lot of verandah to fill, like this grand Queenslander (the same house as the top photo), consider marking out the space, almost like creating a separate ‘room’, for a dedicated purpose – for example, casual gatherings as opposed to formal dining. Here, the use of the facing sofas and the large potted plants at the front and back help to create a distinct zone on the long verandah. And remember, you don’t necessarily need to buy new furniture. These owners had their old sofa reupholstered, and the addition of the coral scatter cushions adds just the right jolt of colour to really lift the grey.
If you have a lot of verandah to fill, like this grand Queenslander (the same house as the top photo), consider marking out the space, almost like creating a separate ‘room’, for a dedicated purpose – for example, casual gatherings as opposed to formal dining. Here, the use of the facing sofas and the large potted plants at the front and back help to create a distinct zone on the long verandah. And remember, you don’t necessarily need to buy new furniture. These owners had their old sofa reupholstered, and the addition of the coral scatter cushions adds just the right jolt of colour to really lift the grey.
The entertainer
Yet another area in the same Queenslander. For foodies and regular entertainers, creating a dedicated cooking and dining space on the patio is a no-brainer. That way, you don’t have to miss out on the action at the table while you’re slaving away inside in the kitchen. For truly effortless entertaining, ensure there’s enough bench space for prepping and storage for your outdoor decor and serving ware, too.
Yet another area in the same Queenslander. For foodies and regular entertainers, creating a dedicated cooking and dining space on the patio is a no-brainer. That way, you don’t have to miss out on the action at the table while you’re slaving away inside in the kitchen. For truly effortless entertaining, ensure there’s enough bench space for prepping and storage for your outdoor decor and serving ware, too.
Moveable feast
Sometimes it seems the right idea to place a large table fit for entertaining a crowd on your verandah, only to realise that it dominates the space and, in reality, you only use it sporadically, meaning your verandah is rarely used. If you tend to entertain casually and only occasionally, consider a trestle table and stackable stools (like these slightly distressed Tolix-style cafe stools), so that if you decide you’d like to use the space for something else for a while (perhaps a couple of sun loungers come full summer), it’s easy to disassemble and store the dining furniture elsewhere.
Sometimes it seems the right idea to place a large table fit for entertaining a crowd on your verandah, only to realise that it dominates the space and, in reality, you only use it sporadically, meaning your verandah is rarely used. If you tend to entertain casually and only occasionally, consider a trestle table and stackable stools (like these slightly distressed Tolix-style cafe stools), so that if you decide you’d like to use the space for something else for a while (perhaps a couple of sun loungers come full summer), it’s easy to disassemble and store the dining furniture elsewhere.
Lounge or gather
This wooden bench not only doubles as valuable storage, it provides plenty of seating without taking up too much room on the relatively petite patio. Add a few colourful scatter cushions to boost the comfort factor whether you want to fully recline or cosy up to a bench full of friends on a Saturday night. Adding a small table on castors creates a great spot for wine and nibbles but can also be moved if and when you need more standing room.
This wooden bench not only doubles as valuable storage, it provides plenty of seating without taking up too much room on the relatively petite patio. Add a few colourful scatter cushions to boost the comfort factor whether you want to fully recline or cosy up to a bench full of friends on a Saturday night. Adding a small table on castors creates a great spot for wine and nibbles but can also be moved if and when you need more standing room.
Mood swing
For balconies that wouldn’t comfortably fit a table or chairs, perhaps there’s no better solution than installing a hammock.
For balconies that wouldn’t comfortably fit a table or chairs, perhaps there’s no better solution than installing a hammock.
Dual purpose
If space is at a premium, split the area into two distinct spaces – one part dining, one part relaxing. That way you have both bases covered. Keep furniture on both sides in a similar style for a more cohesive, unified look. Here, the timber table, moulded white chairs and wicker furniture give the space a relaxed modern vibe.
If space is at a premium, split the area into two distinct spaces – one part dining, one part relaxing. That way you have both bases covered. Keep furniture on both sides in a similar style for a more cohesive, unified look. Here, the timber table, moulded white chairs and wicker furniture give the space a relaxed modern vibe.
Petite patio
If space is limited, make sure to choose space-saving furniture, like this wooden outdoor setting with bench seats that can be pushed right under the table to provide more floor space when the table isn’t in use.
If space is limited, make sure to choose space-saving furniture, like this wooden outdoor setting with bench seats that can be pushed right under the table to provide more floor space when the table isn’t in use.
Child’s play
Sometimes the verandah may be more useful as a play/relaxation area that’s easily visible from the house (and enables the kids to play ‘outside’ even if it’s raining) than a dedicated dining area. Keeping the space free of permanent furniture allows the verandah to be used for a variety of functions. A few beanbags is all that’s needed to encourage the kids to read a good book while listening to the birds and, when the desire to entertain strikes, you can either keep it informal and canapé-style with just a few stools for seating, or bring up that folding table and chairs from the garage.
Sometimes the verandah may be more useful as a play/relaxation area that’s easily visible from the house (and enables the kids to play ‘outside’ even if it’s raining) than a dedicated dining area. Keeping the space free of permanent furniture allows the verandah to be used for a variety of functions. A few beanbags is all that’s needed to encourage the kids to read a good book while listening to the birds and, when the desire to entertain strikes, you can either keep it informal and canapé-style with just a few stools for seating, or bring up that folding table and chairs from the garage.
Multi-functional
Even on only quite a small deck space, you can fulfil a variety of functions. A small narrow table and barbecue is all that’s needed for informal family dinners, while a narrow stool with cushions provides an extra seat or two when needed. The beautiful corner sofa from Cosh Living provides plenty of seating for relaxed post-dinner conversations, and goes to prove that weatherproof furniture can even rival indoor furniture in the style and comfort stakes. A small fire pit allows the space to be used even on chillier evenings, and the mirrored wall at the end makes the area feel much bigger than it really is.
Even on only quite a small deck space, you can fulfil a variety of functions. A small narrow table and barbecue is all that’s needed for informal family dinners, while a narrow stool with cushions provides an extra seat or two when needed. The beautiful corner sofa from Cosh Living provides plenty of seating for relaxed post-dinner conversations, and goes to prove that weatherproof furniture can even rival indoor furniture in the style and comfort stakes. A small fire pit allows the space to be used even on chillier evenings, and the mirrored wall at the end makes the area feel much bigger than it really is.
Minimal
Long, narrow verandahs (particularly ones that flow out from the bedroom) are best left uncluttered – particularly when the view is as magical as this. Just one simple, but comfortable, wooden chair leaves the view unencumbered, but still invites you out of the house and onto the deck to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun goes down.
TELL US
What’s on your verandah or other outdoor space attached to the house? Is it an entertainer’s paradise or purely furnished for rest and relaxation? Do you use it as often as you thought you would? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Ways to Get More From Your Verandah
The Queenslander: Beautiful, Enduring and Here to Stay
Inside Out: 20 Outdoor Entertaining Zones to Inspire You
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outside Space
Long, narrow verandahs (particularly ones that flow out from the bedroom) are best left uncluttered – particularly when the view is as magical as this. Just one simple, but comfortable, wooden chair leaves the view unencumbered, but still invites you out of the house and onto the deck to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun goes down.
TELL US
What’s on your verandah or other outdoor space attached to the house? Is it an entertainer’s paradise or purely furnished for rest and relaxation? Do you use it as often as you thought you would? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Ways to Get More From Your Verandah
The Queenslander: Beautiful, Enduring and Here to Stay
Inside Out: 20 Outdoor Entertaining Zones to Inspire You
7 Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Outside Space
Just two comfortable chairs covered in beautiful fabric (like this navy and blue chevron) can bring a porch to life, particularly at the entry to the house, while also not dominating the area. Add a side table for a cup of tea, a good novel, some candles and a beautiful potted plant and you have a wonderfully inviting spot to watch the world go by.