Garden seating advice in Exeter
Professional garden seating advice services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden seating consultation to find the best spots and choose furniture that suits your space. Practical advice that makes your garden more enjoyable.
You've Got Outdoor Space But Never Use It
The garden furniture looked great in the shop. But now it's there, you realize:
- It's in full sun all afternoon (too hot)
- Or it's in shade all day (too cold)
- Wind funnels straight at it
- The neighbours can see everything
- It's miles from the kitchen
So the £300 bistro set sits empty while you drink your coffee indoors.
💡 Pro tip: In Devon, you want seating that catches morning or late afternoon sun but has shade options for midday. Full afternoon sun is brutal, and you'll never use it.
What Makes a Good Seating Spot
It's not just "somewhere flat". Here's what actually matters:
| ✅ Properly Considered | ❌ Usual Mistakes |
|---|---|
| Sun pattern through the day | Just where's sunny now |
| Shelter from prevailing wind | Ignored until you sit there |
| Privacy from neighbours | Full view into gardens |
| View from the seat | Facing the fence |
| Access without crossing plants | Muddy route through beds |
The problem? You only get one chance to get it right before you've laid paving or bought furniture.
Pricing
| Service | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single seating area advice | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Multiple spots or full garden review | 1 hr | £60 |
| Follow-up with furniture placement | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. This is consultation only - any physical work (paving, furniture assembly) quoted separately.
What We'll Cover
🔍 Site Analysis
- Sun patterns (morning, midday, evening)
- Wind and weather exposure
- Views (what you want to see, what you don't)
- Privacy from neighbouring properties
- Access routes that make sense
🪑 Practical Recommendations
- Best locations for different uses
- What size furniture actually fits
- Materials that suit your maintenance level
- Whether you need hard standing
- Storage options for furniture
✅ You get:
- Clear advice on optimum seating locations
- Realistic furniture suggestions
- Understanding of your garden's microclimate
- Confidence to invest in the right setup
Perfect for These Situations
✅ Before buying furniture - don't waste money on wrong choices
✅ New house - inherited a garden you don't understand yet
✅ Garden redesign - making better use of space
✅ Problem spots - current seating never gets used
✅ Awkward shaped gardens - making the most of limited space
Why Choose Us for Garden seating advice in Exeter?
Best seating locations identified
Practical furniture recommendations
Sun and shade patterns explained
Make the most of your outdoor space
What to Expect
Step 1: Garden Walk
We'll walk your garden together at whatever time you've booked. I'll look at sun, wind, views, level areas, and ask how you want to use the space.
Step 2: Discuss Options
I'll point out the best spots for different purposes - breakfast sun, evening drinks, afternoon reading - and explain the pros and cons of each.
Step 3: Practical Recommendations
We'll discuss what furniture suits each spot, whether you need paving or can sit on grass, and what's realistic for your budget and maintenance time.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to assess your garden yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Compass app on your phone
- Notepad and pen
- Tape measure
- A sunny day and a windy day
📋 Assessment method
- Note where sun is at 8am, noon, 4pm, 7pm (across different days)
- Sit in potential spots at different times - is it actually pleasant?
- Check wind - which way does it blow? How exposed?
- Look at privacy - can neighbours see you? Can you see them?
- Consider practicality - how do you get there with drinks/food?
☀️ Sun patterns in UK gardens
- South-facing: sunny most of the day (too hot midday)
- East-facing: lovely morning sun, shady afternoon
- West-facing: shady morning, beautiful evening light
- North-facing: mostly shady (good for hot climates, tough in UK)
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Choosing spots that look good but aren't practical
- Not considering furniture storage over winter
- Buying furniture before planning the space
- Forgetting you need to cross wet grass to reach seating
💡 Pro trick: Spend a week being conscious of where sun is when you're home. The best seating spot is where sun is when you're actually there to use it - not where it's sunny while you're at work.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌞 Devon weather: We get good sun but also plenty of wind. Shelter matters as much as sun exposure - a warm sheltered spot in partial sun beats full sun in a wind tunnel every time.
Multiple spots work well: Morning coffee bench in east-facing spot, evening drinks area catching west sun. Different times, different places.
Don't fight your garden: If it's shady, embrace that - shade gardens can be lovely and cool. Trying to force furniture into a sunny corner that doesn't exist just means you won't use it.
Hard standing isn't always necessary: Sometimes gravel, bark chips, or even well-maintained grass works fine and saves significant money.
Before you invest: An hour of advice can save you hundreds or thousands on furniture and paving that wouldn't have worked. Worth getting right first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a garden seating advice session actually involve?
I'll walk your garden with you, look at sun patterns throughout the day, identify sheltered spots, consider views and privacy, and advise on the best locations for seating. Then we'll discuss what type of furniture suits each spot - whether that's a bench, table and chairs, or just a single seat. Practical stuff based on how you actually want to use your garden.
Do you just tell me where to put a bench or is it more detailed?
Much more detailed. We'll discuss morning sun vs evening sun, wind direction, privacy from neighbours, what you can see from each spot, access routes, level ground, and what actually fits. It's about making your garden work for you, not just plonking furniture somewhere.
Can you help if my garden is tiny or awkward shaped?
Especially helpful for tricky gardens actually. Small or oddly-shaped spaces need careful planning to avoid wasting the limited room you have. I can often spot opportunities you've missed.
What if I want to add paving or decking for seating - do you advise on that too?
Absolutely. I'll advise where hard standing makes sense, what size you need, and whether it's worth the investment for how you'll use it. Sometimes a simple gravel area works better than expensive paving.
Do you recommend specific furniture or just general styles?
I'll advise on what suits each location practically - size, material, style. I don't sell furniture so you'll get honest advice. If your 'perfect' bistro set won't actually fit, I'll tell you before you buy it.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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