Styling a Classic Garden Room With Last Layers

I’ve got a lovely, classic garden room to share with you today, complete with big windows, lots of painted white mouldings and traditional furnishings.

This homeowner wanted help with the furniture arrangement and some last layers to help this space feel “designed”. It is a long space with a deep niche, so kind of like an L shape.

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Furniture Arrangement Options Tried

They sent a few arrangements they have tried. The first one was up at the top of the post, with the sofa on the wall.

The next one had 4 chairs in a grouping at the end of the room there, which I would normally love, but I don’t prefer it here. It feels kind of pushed down to the end of the space and rather blocked off.

Four chairs in a grouping down at the end of the room was one option they were considering.

Deep niche in garden room with black painted back wall.

They also sent me this with the settee under the window and I LOVED this layout.

I loved the settee under the window, facing the entrance to the room.

Not all of it, but I loved the position of the settee under the window. This room needs a big visual stopping place and that settee there achieves that. Your eye doesn’t travel on, wondering where else to go. It sees this as the final, beautiful destination of the room.

Here were my recommendations for this garden room.

First, I would use a sisal, natural woven rug, cut to fit the space, going back into the niche too. Sisal looks great with formal furnishings, softening their look for this more casual room. I’d cut it to within 10” - 12” of the walls and it could be bound with a thin black binding.

Here’s an example of how it could be cut around the corners.

I’d use these chairs, I like the different fabric on the back and the gilded frame. Plus, I prefer arm chairs in a lounge type situation.

I’d go for a wood side table at the end of the settee, as I don’t like two glass top metal tables in the same grouping. I feel like it needs a heavier look there and the warmth of wood.

This one has a solid look and I like the brass detail on the front.

I’d like a floor lamp here too, with a black shade.

A garden stool in white with a little gold to brighten up the seating group.

I’d definitely do some dressier pillows, these are white with a gold greek key detail.

And here it is all put together! :-)

Classic, traditional garden room dressed with last layers. carlaaston.com

Now for the niche!

Let’s take a look again at that niche space.

This feels tight and confined to me, like the chairs are too deep in this space. I think we can remedy that by putting a console on the back wall, with the chairs in front of it. That will bring them further out into the room. I like having some rich wood back there too.

I love the idea of installing antique mirrored panels over the black back wall area. That will reflect the light and view from outside and brighten up this space.

Then, I’d put a round, gilded sunburst mirror on top for a little more sparkle. Two brass lamps with black shades here would be nice too. A stack of books and these two figurines would be a fun way to accessorize that console.

I love this pretty table with the black metal top as just the right accent between those two chairs.

And here’s the niche all put together.

Garden room niche space design plan | carlaaston.com

Do you love a classic, traditional style like this? Then check out some other similar rooms.

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