Versatile and stylish, garden sofas work as an extension of your interior, making a patio or deck instantly feel like an outdoor living room. A corner design will help to zone an area, creating a cosy and comfy entertaining area where you can relax in style.
Just like inside your home, modular corner sofas are the perfect choice if space is tight as you can opt for different combinations to make it work for your garden, while designs with integrated tables are a practical option for keeping drinks and nibbles close at hand.
Like all the best garden furniture, outdoor corner sofas are available in a wide range of weatherproof materials so you can make use of them during this warmer weather we're all enjoying and then leave them outside during winter. Of course, if you want added protection for your new buy, you can simply invest in outdoor furniture covers to make sure the sofa will be looking its best when spring 2021 arrives.
1. Make it work for your space
A modular design such as the Äpplarö sofa from Ikea offers maximum flexibility as you can combine different modules to create the perfect sized sofa to fit your space. There are even extras such as tables and a trolley for your drinks so you can configure your ideal design. If you're choosing a sofa made from wood you will need to consider any long term maintenance. This design is made from sustainably sourced acacia wood that's pre-treated with a wood stain, but it will need topping up with a couple of fresh coats every now and again to keep it protected in bad weather.
2. Extend to create a daybed
Why simply go for an outdoor sofa when you could create a luxurious daybed instead! By adding a modular section to one end of the sofa you can create an L-shaped design with an extended area for super comfy lounging. This stunning Albany teak modular day bed by Jo Alexander will look great on any patio and the day bed can be placed on either the left or right side of the sofa to suit your space.
Want to create the look and feel of a day bed without having to replace your existing garden sofa? Simply team your sofa with a large outdoor footstool at one end and you'll mimic this day bed effect, creating the perfect spot for an afternoon snooze in the autumn sunshine.
3. Look out for added extras
Our favourite garden sofas are the ones that have your every need covered with plenty of space for placing drinks, nibbles, books or even one of the best bluetooth speakers. You name it, there needs to be room for it. For that reason, we love the Amberley sofa set from Garden Trading as it comes with a trio of tables. There’s one central table (perfect for nibbles) and two built-in side tables at each end (ideal for those chilled glasses of Sauvignon). Crafted from teak and powder-coated aluminium, it's just the right mix of classic and modern, plus it would work well inside your home too in a conservatory or garden room.
4. Choose a design with storage
Every inch of space counts in a small garden, so make your corner sofa work that little bit harder by opting for a design with built-in storage. After all, you'll need somewhere to store all those outdoor cushions you'll be buying to ramp up the cosy factor. This neat and modern mini corner sofa set from Argos will fit on a small patio or decked area perfectly. Crafted from a hand-woven rattan effect material, the cushion-top table doubles as a footrest and the lid can be lifted up to reveal hidden storage. Clever.
5. Go for a dining/living space combo
Not all of us are blessed with large gardens with room for separate dining and seating areas, so if you need to combine both in one space but still want the comfort of a sofa, then a corner dining set is a great solution. Instead of a low coffee table, these types of sets come with a higher dining table option to give you the best of both worlds. This Monte Carlo corner dining set from Very has classic good looks, as you would imagine from a design with that name. Stylish and great value, it has slimline legs that give it a contemporary look and the rattan effect wicker is hard-wearing. A fantastic space-saving solution.
Read more:
- Patio gardening ideas to make the most of your space
- The best outdoor dining sets
- Shed some light on your outdoor living space with the best outdoor lights
