Chinese garden stools are so easy to decorate with and make a great addition to any home. You may already be familiar with these barrel or drum shaped ceramic stools.
Image – Frontgate
About Chinese Garden Stools
Garden stools have been used in China for over 1000 years. Traditionally Chinese homes were built around a courtyard. The stools were used as outdoor furniture to sit in the garden. Hence why they are referred to as garden stools.
Image – Frontgate
Chinese garden stools were traditionally made of stone, glazed stoneware or porcelain to withstand the weather. They were commonly decorated with fretwork, relief decoration, and pierced motifs. The nailhead decoration you commonly see around the top and bottom of the stool, replicates old wooden barrels with iron nails.
White Medallion Garden Stool from Frontgate
How to Use a Garden Stool
Here are some of the ways to use a garden stool in your home:
- as a stool
- as a side table
- in the bathroom
- as a plant stand
White Medallion Garden Stool from Frontgate
Image – Kelley Nan
Image – House of Jade Interiors
Garden stools are easy to lift and move around so you can use them all through your home.
My daughter has these simple white garden stools either side of her bed. Purchased from Kmart (no longer available)
Here’s another clever idea – Add a battery operated candle inside the stool (if it has an opening) and let the light shine through the fretwork designs.
Garden stools are available in a wide choice of colours and patterns.
Colourful Garden Stools from Kristy Lee Interiors
If you’re looking for a Chinese garden stool for your home, here are some more to choose from.
Sources – 1. Shelly Ceramic Stool from Living Styles | 2. White Ceramic Woven Stool from Alfresco Emporium | 3. Arriba Stool Cream from Zanui | 4. Celadon Lily Pond Ceramic Stool from Early Settler | 5. Empire Glazed Ceramic Drum Stool from Living Styles | 6. Magnolia Ceramic Decorative Stool from Living Styles | 7. Pink Garden Stool from Kristy Lee Interiors | 8. Butterfly Stool from Interiors Online | 9. Shada Blue Ceramic Stool from Zanui | 10. Lauder Ceramic Stool from Eco Chic | 11. Arriba Grey Stool from Zanui | 12. Barell Black Stool from Zanui
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I'm Kylie, and I love to share practical home decorating and styling tips. I'm a qualified interior designer and self taught crafter and DIY'er. I'm addicted to decorating, and can't walk past a homewares shop without going in for a look. I live in a 1930's Queenslander in Brisbane's inner suburbs which I'm turning into a home one project at a time.