Garden Corner Settee: Buying Guide for Outdoor Spaces. Choose the right size, material, and style for a comfortable outdoor space.
A garden corner settee is a great way to make an underutilized space outdoors into a comfortable area to sit back, entertain or simply drink a cuppa in peace.
From a patio, back garden deck porch, balcony or scattered around the garden, rustic corner seating is a simple way to make more of the area you have.
Initially, outdoor furniture might seem like a very easy choice. Then you actually get down to the broken-down-by-dimension, catalogue-by-material, cushion-by-configuration, weather-resistant-ness, and-inclusion-by-set sort of analysis and you find that it’s much more practical than it first appeared.
This is why selecting a suitable garden corner settee isn’t only about selecting a style you’ll like. Its also about finding an outdoor seating arrangement that will work in your space, that is practical to your way of living and can stand up to the conditions of where you live.
What Is a Garden Corner Settee?
The word Settee is taken from the Italian which means “chair or sitting”. The term Garden corner Settee used in the name of the corner a garden corner Settee.
Garden corner settee typically means an outdoor seating product meant to fill a corner, something that often can be positioned to make an L-shape or a modular shape.
Within the furniture retail market in the US, equivalent products are usually referred to as:
- Outdoor corner sofas
- Patio sectionals
- Outdoor sectional sofas
- L-shaped outdoor sofas
The principle behind this is very basic and says that if you would otherwise have two separate sofas in the corner, a corner settee gives you one seating area, which extends down both sides. It’s like taking a forgotten nook and turning it into an outdoor lounge.
Design-specific, a corner settee could be:
- One corner seating unit
- Part of a set
- Armless chairs
- Ottomans
- Coffee tables
- Other modulars
Some sectionals are small and perfect for smaller patios and others are large enough for a group of people.
Garden Corner Settee vs. Outdoor Sectional: How Do They Differ?
You might notice some different names for what seems like the same type of outdoor furniture, in particular when shopping online. A garden corner settee will usually focus on outdoor seating for a corner. A settee for outdoors may be made up of joined together pieces.
Finally, an outdoor sectional may be a collection of connected pieces. An L shaped outdoor sofa will describe the shape of the set. A patio conversation set will typically be some outdoor seating combined with one or several matching tables. It is not very names that have significant weight but the product specifications themselves.
Important Specifications to Check
- Number of pieces included?
- Exists a coffee table?
- Is an ottoman included?
- IS the scheme modular?
- Is the configuration being fixed, reversible or reconfigurable?
- Are there copies that both face left and right?
A photo of a product can be used to represent a set as being larger and fuller than it actually is. Always read the spec sheet before you buy.
What Makes a Garden Corner Settee the Ideal Choice for Your Garden???
The biggest reason for customer to assign to a corner would be using ‘corner’ to maximize the outdoor space. Instead of having a vacant corner, a L-shaped or modular seating structure can be utilized to provide seating with the remaining space free to be a walkway, for placing tables or planters or other things.
Corner seating is another option that can be used to define a separate outdoor lounge. If nothing else, it can turn one that was once an outdoor mix of random furniture into a “room”.
An example of utilizing the “edge” of a space is a small patio with a 2 sided mounting element in front of which a small L-shape sofa might be constructed. The patio may even have room for a more expansive, outdoor sectional in a large backyard.
Where Can You Use a Garden Corner Settee?
Although the word “garden” is used, these products do not necessarily mean a traditional garden.
Suitable Locations
- Patios
- Backyards
- Decks
- Porches
- Balconies
- Poolside locations, 13.09.2015.; Food facilities. Terraces
- Garden seating areas. Victoria recommends the design and development of our patio seating area.
A planned garden also has places that can be lonely and the unoccupied seats will encourage conversation and an invitation to take coffee outside.
Ultimately, the more critical factor is the amount of space, weather exposure and use of the furniture than the name of the space.
Measuring Your Space Before Buying
What is one of the most important steps easily missed when you’re concerned with how you look? Before you buy a sofa, measure the space where it will go.
Find out the:
- Width
- Depth
- Corner dimensions
Consider:
- Doo rs Gated Provide access to the site. Doors were vandalised and bolted shut, residents reported that gates were also ‘shot fire’.
- Walkways
- Railings
- Stairs
- The area surrounding the coffee table
- Permission for people to pass comfortably
- The direction the sectional faces
In theory, a sofa can be accommodate, but at the cost of overwhelming the patio. An easy way to get a sense of dimensions is to take some masking tape and plan where your furniture will be placed. This will give you a very good idea of the amount of space the furniture will require.
And again, make sure to really see the orientation as well. You may find that a sectional couch suited for one outdoor space looks truly out of place in another.
Number of People in an Outdoor Corner Sectional Seat To Consider
Building An Outdoor Corner Sectional If you plan to accommodate a few people at one time in your outdoor corner sectional area then build a corner sectional for three to five people.
The optimal capacity for your space is a combination of the size of your space and your usage.
Examples:
- 2 or 3 seats in a compact formation, perhaps for a smaller patio or balcony
- 4 or 5 seats for a larger family
- A large, 6 seat or modular form when socializing outdoors is a season to season activity
Never equate number of seats with a sectional’s quality. The depth of cushions, presence of armrests, shape of corners and the space between a few pieces of furniture will influence the perceived comfort of a settee enormously. A settee with many seats on it is not always comfortable to sit on.
Choices of the Material Suitable for a Garden Corner Setee?
Material is one of the biggest decisions you will make because the outdoor furniture has to withstand sunlight rain temperature fluctuation and use.
Wicker
Wicker is not referring to one material but a style of woven furniture. Some outdoor products utilize resin or polyethylene based wicker, while some are made with natural rattan. Woven designs are well-liked for their typical outdoor appearance and are fit nicely into most styles of apparel.
Aluminum
Aluminum is common for outdoor furniture because it is lightweight and can be styled in modern or traditional styles. Select if it has an outdoor safe finish and construction.
Steel
Though steel may be a very strong, heavy frame. If opting for steel in a outdoor furniture situation, check the coating and the manufacturers instructions about protecting against rust.
Wood
The use of wood introduces a warm natural feel to an outside space. Types of wood (teak, acacia) used in outdoor furniture vary on care required according to species, finish and degree of exposure.
Resin and HDPE
Resin-based products and HDPE are also suitable for patio furniture and may appeal to shoppers seeking durable materials that need relatively little maintenance. There is not one best material for every situation.
The right material for you will be based on:
- Your climate
- Your maintenance habits
- Your appearance preferences
- Your budget
- How exposed the furniture will be to the elements
Are Garden Corner Settees Weatherproof?
We must now ask the question Are Garden Corner Settees weatherproof? This is where product descriptions warrant a further examination. Outdoor isn’t equivalent to waterproof.
When comparing a garden corner settee or outdoor sectional, look for specific information about:
- Water Proofing
- Water resistance
- UV surviviability
- Fade resistance
- Resistance to rust
- Outdoor-rated fabrics
- Cushion construction
- Storage settings
Note carefully the exact wording from the manufacturer before you make an assumption that weather resistant and waterproof mean exactly the same.
How Do You Identify the Right Outdoor Cushions for You?
Cushions have a wider affects than one might expect.
Identify characteristics like:
- A removable/can be washed cover
- Fabrics suited for the outdoor environment
- Rigidity of the padding
- Design quality for your region
In wetter climates, quick-drying cushion materials may be advantageous.
Also, find out:
- Whether the covers are removable for cleaning
- What the manufacturer suggests on spills
- Stains
- Extended periods of storage
Even though a sofa may appear good in a photograph, comfort is the thing you find out once you sit down on it, not when you just click away from the product page.
Different Types of Outdoor Corner Seating
The different types of outdoor corner seating are (not mutually exclusive):
L-Shaped Sectional
Getting relaxed in the corners was an obvious one when looking at seating, an L shaped structure was the most simple way of getting seats into the corner and creating the lounge area.
Modular Sectional
Modular these are designed as individual pieces and could be reconfigured to form layouts for different products.
Reversible or Reconfigurable Sectional
A few are reversible and a few are unidirectional, meaning it has a fixed left- or right facing layout.
Always check the product specification.
Corner Sofa With Ottoman
An ottoman is the perfect place to relax your feet, increase seating and re-arrange given the room.
Complete Sectional Set
A few of the sets have multiple chairs and tables, such as:
- A coffee table
- End table
- Ottoman
Do not take for granted that all items seen in the product shot will be included. Always read exactly what is in the package before committing to buy.
What Is the Cost of a Garden Corner Settee?
One will not find one standard price for an outdoor corner sofa on the market because of the variation in:
- Size
- Material
- Construction
- Configuration
- Accessories included
Factors affecting price include:
- Frames
- Number of pieces
- Size
- Construction of cushions
- Configuration
- Any tables or ottomans present
- Warranty
- Build quality
Think about going for value over cost. Lower cost can sometimes be the most appropriate choice- lower cost may be best in some rooms, but more money may be justified in certain situations- for high rental use or outdoors. Prices also fluctuate, so the shopper cannot use a previous “average price” as a base.
How to Select A Garden Corner Settee for Smaller Properties?
Small spaces are more difficult to design. If you want to have seating along the walls but also leave an open area in the middle, a small or L-shaped sectional might be a good option.
Modular or more compact designs might also be useful.The intention is not to purchase the largest possible sofa that will fit.
It is to obtain the maximum feasible all seats arrangement, such that a person:
- Walks freely
- Opens the door
- Uses the table
Larger spaces translate to more options.
A sprawling modular sectional can create an additional outdoor lounge with:
- Coffee tables
- Ottoman side tables
- Lighting
- An outdoor area rug
Also, backyards don’t have to be divided into one big space.
Instead, use multiple spaces such as:
- A pizza eating zone
- A barbecue zone
Rather than asking your table and chairs to do all.
How to Arrange a Garden Corner Settee
Decide direction in which you want the section to face. For entertaining place furniture around a table where groups of 2-4 people can sit and communicate easily.
If the focus is on a:
- Garden
- Pool
- Fireplace
- View
Turn the furniture toward them. If the sectional is placed along two walls then there is more open space in the middle of the room.
For a large space the furniture can be used to create an outdoor “room”. Most comfortable is not always the most furniture arrangement. It is the arrangement that makes the space feel comfortable, purposeful and functional.
Care and Maintenance
With the right care, outdoor furniture can keep its appeal and usefulness for a longer period of time.
General Care Tips
- Clean the frame as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions
- Eliminate leaves and debris
- Clear liquids quickly
- Keep cushions as dry as possible
- Use suitable covers when advised
- Ensure any specific requirements for wood metal wicker-style materials, fabrics and finishes are adhered to
If the furniture is to be left outside during severe weather or prolonged camping trips, follow the manufacturer’s suggestions to cover or store the furniture.
Always follow the manufacturer’s care and cleaning advice over general suggestions, as all products have different maintenance needs, and some may have special “one off” requirements.
Before Placing an Order, Run Through This Checklist
- General dimensions
- Corner dimensions
- Number of seats
- How the frames are built
- How the frames are assembled
- Cushion material
- Water resistant properties
- UV resistance
- Whether the cushion covers are removable
- The exact pieces that are included
- Assembly requirements to join together
- Delivery dimensions (upper size limits)
- Return policy
- Customer reviews
It may not be as much fun as choosing a color, but it is often these details that mean the purchase will work in practice.
FAQs
Q. Lawn corner settees, a type of exterior furniture, are similar to outdoor sectionals?
They may all relate to comparable items, although “outdoor sectional” is a common phrase within furniture stores in the United States.
A garden corner settee usually refers to a seat suitable to be placed around a corner of a house or other building, while a sectional tends to be a series of various pieces connected or coordinating with each other.
Q. Which is the perfect material for an outdoor corner sofa?
While there is no one “best” material aluminum synthetic wicker wood steel resin HDPE can all be suitable according to the climate, amount of care required aesthetics price, and use.
Q. What is the best way to measure my patio for a corner sectional?
Measure:
- The width available
- The height available
- The corner size
Take into consideration:
- Doors
- Hallways
- The perimeter of the tables
- The railing
- Open space to get around the furniture
Q. Is an outdoor corner sofa water resistant?
Not need. Look up the water resistance and weather resistance of the fabric/ fabric coating to see if there is information on how to care for them properly.
Q. What size outdoor sectional should I buy for a small patio?
A two or three seat configuration might be a good place to start, but the actual dimensions and need for space are more significant than the number of seats.
Q. If I decide to go with wicker instead, how is the quality?
Select based on what matters to you.
Use:
- Properties
- Weight
- Installed life
- Outside wear and tear
- Appearance
- Cost
Rather than presuming one type to be better than the other.
Q. Can someone explain what a sectional is versus a conversation set?
Based on the shopping websites, a sectional usually means the actual arrangement of seats itself, usually in multiple sections. Conversation sets however are designed with out-door seating combined with a matching or co-ordinating table piece(s)though precise naming and product references ranges by retailer.
Key Takings
Picking a garden corner settee is simply a matter of finding a piece that can fit into the available space and the way you want to use it.
The most attractive choice in the end may not be the ‘best’; the most relevant questions relate to the practicality of the two-aspect issue:
- Will it be able to get in?
- Is the configuration appropriate for the corner?
- How many people will be able to use it comfortably?
- Is the material suitable for your circumstances?
- Are the cushions easy to clean?
- And what precisely is included?
It’s worth expanding the search to help U.S. shoppers find what they’re looking for.
Related Search Terms
- Outdoor corner sofa
- Outdoor corner sectional
- Patio sectional
- Outdoor sectional sofa
- L-shaped outdoor sofa
The right corner settee really should do more than just fill a bit of empty space. It should make that space more comfortable, more practical and somewhere that actually becomes a great place to be.
Additional Resources
- Costco Patio Buying Guide: Provides practical advice on planning an outdoor space, choosing furniture based on how the area will be used, and selecting suitable seating arrangements.
- Lowe’s Patio Furniture Protection Guide: Offers guidance on protecting outdoor furniture from weather, cleaning, covers, seasonal storage, and extending furniture life.
- Pottery Barn Outdoor Cushion & Furniture Care: Provides care guidance for outdoor cushions, covers, moisture, cleaning, storage, and maintaining outdoor furniture.
