A country garden feels like coming home. Warm wood, woven chairs, flowering borders and a long table where you linger with family and friends until it gets dark. The style is timeless and suits a terraced house just as well as a farmhouse. In this article you'll read what defines the country style, which colours and materials belong to it, which furniture to choose and which plants complete the look. With a step-by-step plan, a short style quiz and a checklist.
In short: a country garden revolves around natural materials (wood, wicker, terracotta), soft earth tones and lush planting. Choose one large wooden piece as the centrepiece, such as a dining table or picnic set, and complement it with a garden bench and woven chairs. Short on time for maintenance? Teak look gives the same warmth without oil. Not sure which variant suits you? Take the style quiz.
Features of the country style
The country garden is inspired by the countryside: farmyards, kitchen gardens and English cottage gardens. Where a modern garden revolves around clean lines and few objects, a country garden may be full, soft and a little bit untidy. You recognise it by:
- Natural materials: wood, woven wicker, terracotta, natural stone and gravel.
- Soft, earthy colours: cream, sand, warm brown and plenty of green.
- Lush planting: borders with perennials, roses, herbs and climbing plants.
- Coziness over perfection: a long table, a bench in the sun, lanterns and pots with a history.
- Lived-in details: an old watering can, wooden crates, a fruit tree or a rose arch.
Classic, modern country or cottage?
Country is not one single style. There are roughly three flavours, and your choice determines which furniture and colours you pick.
| Variant | Characteristic | Furniture |
|---|---|---|
| Classic country | Warm wood, cream, hedges | Large wooden table, bench |
| Modern country | Wood with black or anthracite | Teak look on aluminium |
| Cottage | Flowers, pastel, romantic | Bench, small bistro set |
Modern country sits close to the modern garden, but with more wood and greenery. If you want to see the styles side by side, also take a look at the Japandi garden, the Ibiza garden, the bohemian garden and the industrial garden.
Style quiz: which variant suits you?
Answer four short questions and discover which country variant suits you best.
Which country style suits you?
How do you prefer to spend a summer evening in the garden?
- Dining long into the evening with family at a large wooden table
- A glass of wine on a sleek bench with wooden accents
- Reading on a bench among the flowering roses
Which colours belong in your country garden?
- Warm wood, cream and soft green
- Anthracite or black with light wood tones
- White, pastel and lots of flower colours
What is in your dream border?
- Hydrangea, lavender and a neat hedge
- Ornamental grasses and a few large pots
- Hollyhocks, climbing roses and a tangle of perennials
How much time do you want to spend on maintenance?
- Oiling the wood now and then doesn't bother me
- As little as possible
- Gardening is my hobby
Classic country. You love a large wooden dining table as the centrepiece, soft tones and a garden that's allowed to feel cozy and full. Start with a sturdy table or lounge dining set in wood and build around it.
Modern country. You combine the warmth of wood with clean lines and dark frames. Teak look on aluminium suits you well: rustic in appearance, low on maintenance.
Cottage. You want a romantic flower garden with small seating spots among the greenery. A garden bench for two, a few old pots and plenty of blooms are all you need.
Colours for a country garden
The colour palette is calm and natural. The furniture and paving form the base; the colour mainly comes from the plants.
- Base: warm brown from wood, sand and cream. Cushions in linen, sand or taupe work well here.
- Accent: sage and olive green, soft blue or old pink, for example on a barn door, flower pots or a tablecloth.
- Contrast: black or anthracite in small amounts, such as a lantern or a dark frame. That makes the style feel more modern.
Choose neutral colours for the large pieces and let the seasons do the rest. Cushions, throws and pots are easy to swap, a garden set is not.
Materials compared
Wood is the backbone of the country garden, but not everything has to be real wood. These are the materials most often used:
| Material | Appearance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia | Warm, lively grain | Oil now and then |
| Teak | Honey brown, greying | Oil or let it weather to grey |
| Teak look (Vironwood) | Wood look, colourfast | Soapy water |
| Wicker (rattan look) | Woven, natural | Rinse, brush |
| Metal, cast iron look | Classic, elegant | Watch for rust on iron |
Real rattan is a natural product that is best kept under a roof; for outdoor use, wicker is usually chosen, a plastic weave with the same look. Torn between real wood and wood look? Read aluminium or teak and which wood is best for a garden table. You can read more about teak in what is teak wood?
Suitable furniture from the range
In a country garden, everything revolves around sitting together. Start with one large piece as the centrepiece and complement it with a bench or loose chairs. Below you'll find examples that suit the style well; you can see the current prices on the cards.
Santos: acacia wood lounge dining set
If you want real wood, the Santos is a sturdy foundation. The frame is made of FSC-certified acacia wood with a white wash finish, and the armrests are finished with taupe rope. The set consists of two corner sofa sections, a table and two stools. With a seat height of 41 cm and a table height of 64 cm, you can both lounge and dine.
Santos lounge dining set 5-piece (left)
Please note: this is the left-hand version. There is also a right-hand variant; check the photo to see which side the corner is on.
Edison: oval garden table in teak look
An oval table feels softer and cozier than a rectangular one, which is why it suits a country garden so well. The Edison measures 220 x 115 cm and is designed for 6 people. The frame is aluminium with a taupe powder coating, and the top is light brown Vironwood: a low-maintenance plastic with the look of teak.
Edison oval garden table 220 x 115 cm
Combine with: wicker or wooden chairs, for example the Skala chairs in acacia with rope or the Costa wicker chairs.
Bell: picnic set for a large group
Nothing is as rustic as a picnic table on the grass. The Bell picnic set measuring 280 x 178 cm offers 8 seats. The frame is dark grey aluminium, and the table top is Vironwood in a light brown teak look. That gives you the look of a wooden picnic table without sanding and staining.
Bell picnic set 280 x 178 cm
Less space? There is also a Bell picnic set measuring 200 x 178 cm. What to look for in a picnic table is explained in buying a picnic table.
Montreal: acacia wood tête-à-tête garden bench
A tête-à-tête is a bench for two: two seats side by side, often with a small table in between for a cup of coffee. The Montreal is made of acacia wood and comes with two taupe cushions. At a length of 146.5 cm, it also fits in a smaller garden or by the front door.
Montreal tête-à-tête garden bench
Jondal: park bench with wood look
A classic park bench under a tree or along the border is typically rustic. The Jondal has a dark grey aluminium frame with light teak Vironwood, seats two and comes with two cushions. The seat width is 125 cm and the seat height 42.5 cm.
Also suitable for a country garden:
Skala chairs acacia and rope
View chairs →
Osborne adjustable wicker chair
View chair →
Ibiza acacia table
View table →You'll find more choice in our country garden furniture, wooden garden benches, wooden garden tables, acacia lounge sets, picnic sets and wicker garden chairs. Not sure yet what type of furniture you're looking for? The selection guide will help you on your way with a few questions. If you're looking for a bench, the top 10 garden benches of 2026 is a good starting point.
Planting and atmosphere
The furniture sets the tone, but the plants complete the country garden. Choose mainly plants that grow freely and naturally.
- Roses and clematis: classic against a wall, fence or rose arch.
- Lavender: scent, colour and a magnet for bees and butterflies. Lovely along a path.
- Hydrangea: large blooms in white, pink or blue, perfect in partial shade.
- Perennials: hollyhock, sage, cranesbill and catmint give a loose, spontaneous border.
- Herbs and edible greens: rosemary, thyme and sage in pots, or a small kitchen garden.
- Structure: a beech or privet hedge and, if there's room, a fruit tree.
The details create the atmosphere: terracotta pots, a wooden crate with flowers, an old watering can, lanterns on the table and warm white fairy lights. Learn how to create atmosphere with light in creating atmosphere with garden lighting.
Create seating spots in the garden, not just on the terrace
A country garden feels bigger when you walk through it. Place a bench at the back under a tree or between the borders. That way you have a spot for the morning sun and one for the evening sun.
Step-by-step plan: how to set it up
Don't start with the cushions, but with the layout. Here's how to approach it:
Do you often eat outside with lots of people, or do you mostly sit with just the two of you? That decides whether the centrepiece becomes a large table, a picnic set or a lounge dining set.
Choose a place for eating (close to the kitchen), a place for a bench and a place for the borders. Curved paths of gravel or clinker bricks make the whole thing more playful.
Choose real wood if you don't mind maintenance, or teak look if you want little work. Measure the terrace and leave room around the table to pull the chairs back.
Place tall plants and hedges at the back, perennials in the middle, and low herbs and lavender at the front. Let climbing plants soften fences and walls.
Cushions in linen or sand tones, a throw, lanterns and warm white light. That way the garden stays cozy on a cool evening too.
You'll find more general tips for the layout in 11 garden design tips.
Country garden: checklist
Tick off what you already have. That way you can quickly see what's still missing.
- One large wooden (or wood-look) piece of furniture as the centrepiece
- A garden bench or tête-à-tête in a second spot in the garden
- Cushions and throws in cream, sand or linen
- A border with roses, lavender or perennials
- Herbs in pots or a small kitchen garden
- Natural details: terracotta, wood, gravel or natural stone
- Warm white lighting: lanterns or fairy lights
- A protective cover or dry place for the cushions in winter
How to keep it rustic
- Choose warm, natural materials and soft colours
- Let the planting grow loose and lush
- Create more than one seating area in the garden
- Change colour with cushions and pots, not with the large furniture
Common mistakes
Too many different wood types
Three or four wood tones next to each other quickly look restless. Choose one main wood colour and let the rest align with it.
Too strict a layout
Straight lines, bare borders and everything in a row feel more modern than rustic. Let plants spill over the edge of the path and dare to mix things up a bit.
Real wood without maintenance
Acacia and teak are beautiful, but they can turn grey or dry out. If you want to keep the warm colour, treat the wood now and then. Read treating wooden garden furniture.
Putting everything on the terrace
A full table by the back door and the rest of the garden empty. Spread out the seating so you use the whole garden.
Frequently asked questions
What are the features of a country garden?
A country garden feels warm, relaxed and a little nostalgic. You will see natural materials such as wood and woven wicker, soft earthy tones, flowering borders with perennials and herbs, and charming details such as lanterns and terracotta pots. Everything may look lived-in; perfection is not the goal.
Which garden furniture suits a country style?
Wooden furniture forms the foundation: a large dining table, a garden bench or a picnic set. Acacia and teak offer real wood, while teak-look aluminium or Vironwood gives the same warm appearance with less maintenance. Combine these with wicker chairs and linen-coloured cushions.
Does a country garden really need wooden furniture?
No. Real wood creates the most authentic look, but it needs oiling or a protective cover from time to time. If you want low maintenance, choose furniture with a wood-look finish, such as a table top made from Vironwood: a plastic with the appearance of teak that you keep clean with soapy water.
Which plants belong in a country garden?
Classic choices include roses, lavender, hydrangeas, clematis, perennials in informal borders, and herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme. A fruit tree, a beech or privet hedge and a rose arch complete the country look.
Can I create a country garden in a small garden?
Yes. Choose a smaller wooden set or a two-seater garden bench, work with pots and planters instead of large borders, and let climbing plants grow along the fence. A few warm materials and plenty of greenery are enough to create the country atmosphere.
