How to make a small garden feel like an extra room

[Mamaohana]

Our back garden is approx 10m wide by 7m long, we’ve recently given it a basic makeover by adding a patio running the length of the house. The rest is lawn with hedging around for a bit of privacy. In the years we have lived here we haven’t used the garden very much due to it being scruffy and overlooked but now it is neat and tidy and the hedges have finally grown I want to ensure we all use it more (weather permitting). Children are no longer little so I don’t want to fill it with toys, just areas to eat/drink/relax.
I’m thinking a comfy seating area is the first thing I need and you can buy lots of lovely looking outdoor sofas but how practical are these in reality? Don’t want anything high maintenance that needs cleaning every time you use it or annual varnishing. Also furniture with cushions/seat pads- do you have to bring them indoors every time it rains?
Also some sort of cover/awning for some shade would be nice, plus some sun loungers!
Anyone got any more ideas or suggestions for furniture to buy? Budget is high street, not top end.

We've got outdoor sofas. They're made out of plastic imitating rattan. I don't think we ever wash them unless a bird has a poo. No varnishing etc. The cushion are of an outdoor variety so pretty resilient but they go into the shed after every use. We also have a gazebo with cushion storage built in under the seats which is very convenient. For a nice atmosphere, think of potted plants on the patio or adding some features (like water or fire etc). You could also consider a pergola instead of an awning (more stylish imo).

I'd also find a few inspiring photos online so that you can get some ideas.

Thank you! I’m still a bit dubious about the outdoor sofas because we don’t have a shed where we could store the cushions. Also do you have to store them inside in winter? However they are just the right sort of thing to get us all outdoors more - we’ve had garden benches before but nothing particularly comfortable.
I love the style of the pergola, that would be great for shade. I’ve seen some nice pictures of modern awnings which would be great for sitting under in the rain but I think they cost ££££.

You can get nice shade sail style awnings from ikea

Comfy seating where you can linger is good. Some garden furniture is so uncomfortable, especially metal stuff. We have got hardwood furniture, which does need treating from time to time, but it's not a difficult job. It stays out all year round uncovered. We have thick seat pads that we store under the stairs in the winter. To make our terrace like an outdoor room we have loads of pot plants and foliage (I like it a bit jungly!), a very large sun umbrella and solar lights. I have also got some bunting. Tbh, it is the plant selection that makes it feel and look good, with different types and heights of containers and a wide choice of plants including hostas and cordylines, and a large honeysuckle growing up the fence. Lovely to sit out there surrounded by scent and bees buzzing. None of this was expensive, but care of pot plants is time consuming. Oh, and we have got a small water feature (which is ancient now), but it's squeezed in amongst the plants so you have the gentle sound of running water. (My mum hated it as it made her want to pee all the time!)

Any plastic furniture can stay out all winter. Natural materials will require care. And yes, it’s all pretty pricey unfortunately. You’ll probably find that a brand new decent set of furniture will be over a grand and by the time you’ve added other bits and bobs, it can be quite a few k.