Garden stools are multifunctional, serving as side tables, mini ottomans, plant stands, display spaces and seats (for those who don’t need cushion) and add pizzazz to an outdoor space.
The name can be deceiving, though. The compact shape of a garden stool means it can work on condo or apartment balconies, and on porches, patios, sunrooms and screened porches of townhomes and single-family homes, and of course, in a garden.
Garden stools are ceramic, which is most common, as well as metal, wood, stone, wicker, terra cotta and resin. While they’re becoming more prominent as outdoor accessories and furniture, the different shapes, sizes, colors and styles, from contemporary to classic to oriental, offer some individuality.
Here are great garden stools for outdoor spaces.
Array of hues: A garden stool is a way to add a pop of color to accent a room, without going full out in orange, green or other bright and bold hues. Target's Safavieh Melody Garden Stool comes in colors such as orange and light blue, for example ($87.29, target.com). Or a cream, white, black, gray or beige stool can fit into monochromatic decor or provide a neutral base for vibrant or pastel cushions or planters.
Playful patterns: Garden stools, in a drum, barrel or cube shape, can get creative with patterns that can match the design of your home, garden or outdoor space. A circular, floral, lattice or diamond-shape cutout can continue around the stool. Others are in the shape of animals, such as elephants, and motifs, such as fleur-de-lis and faux bois-style. A quatrefoil design surrounds the ceramic Taza Garden Stool, which comes in a seafoam hue ($92, homedecorators.com). At Decor Decor (decor-decor.com) in Chamblee, the selection includes stools in a zigzag design ($198) and fluted lotus shape ($324). Frontgate's options include a blue-and-white garden stool in a chinioserie pattern ($199, frontgate.com).
Metallic looks: Silver, bronze and gold bring an extra shine to a garden stool. Options on Overstock.com include a silver ceramic garden stool with petal-like cutouts (Safavieh Paradise Harmony stool, $103.49). A silver finish and ikat pattern also make the Lyra garden stool by Aspire stand out ($138.99, allmodern.com). The Mira garden stool, which has an upside-down rectangular shape, comes in plated silver and plated gold ($119, macys.com).
Multiple uses: Put your garden stool to work.There's a part-hose holder/part-garden stool option with products such as Frontgate's coiled hose holder in a fleur-de-lis design ($199, frontgate.com).
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