Looking for the best garden furniture? Finding the right outdoor seating to relax, entertain and dine alfresco will instantly transform your outdoor space, extending your living area out onto the patio or decking during the warmer months.
However, if you’re on the hunt for a timeless rattan corner sofa, a contemporary outdoor lounge set, or a space-saving dining set, then you’ll soon discover that garden furniture certainly doesn’t come cheap, with outdoor seating easily costing as much as one of the best sofas! Plus, this investment is one you’re going to have to leave outdoors at the mercy of the elements. So what should you be looking out for when you shop?
If your budget allows, then options made from lightweight and rust-resistant aluminium or weather-resistant hardwoods like teak, acacia, or eucalyptus will weather the elements for years to come. PE-rattan is another low-maintenance and resilient option, just make sure to check the construction of the frame underneath; powder-coated steel is a cheaper alternative to aluminium, but will have less weather resistance so will need more careful storage during bad weather to prolong its lifespan.
Of course, sometimes the price has to be the biggest consideration in a purchase, so to help you to find the best garden furniture that your budget allows we’ve rounded up all of the top outdoor options on the Ideal Home team’s radar. We’ve included rust and weather-resistant aluminium and hardwood furniture from John Lewis, Homebase, and B&Q that’s worth investing a little more cash into for its durability, and on-trend, affordable, and small-space friendly powder-coated steel options from Argos, Aldi, Dunelm, and more, that deliver good looks on a lower budget.
Seats: 5 Materials: Aluminium and FSC teak wood Dimensions: Corner section: H64 x W79.5 x D79.5cm, Sofa: H64 x W159.5 x D79.5cm, Table: H34 x W79.5 x D79.5cm
Reasons to buy: + Reasonably priced for an outdoor corner sofa + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium and FSC teak construction + Can be left outside all year round + Cushions included
Reasons to avoid: – Best suited to a contemporary outside space – More of an investment
An outdoor sofa is the epitome of laidback outdoor living, offering a place to get comfortable, relax and socialise. However, an outdoor sofa can easily cost you as much, if not more, than your living room sofa set you back and this is an investment you’re going to be leaving outdoors to do battle with the elements! As such it’s well worth investing in an option that’s going to stand the best chance of weathering everything the British climate can throw at it, and our top choice is this contemporary corner sofa set from Homebase. Made from rust-resistant aluminium and hardwearing FSC certified teak wood, the materials are as outdoor-resilient as you can get, and although it certainly isn’t cheap, this is actually a very reasonable investment compared with most other aluminium-framed corner sofas. And unlike a steel-framed option, it can be left outside all year round, meaning its both low maintenance and stress-free in terms of storage. The corner sofa unit comes with the wooden-topped coffee table and padded cushions included, and we’re big fans of those handy built-in side shelves which are ideal for resting a drink or two.
Buy now: Spirit Corner Sofa Set, £1100, Homebase
Seats: 7 Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium Dimensions: Sofa: H85 x W206.5 x D80cm, Sofa: H85 x W120 x D80cm, Stools: H39.5 x W38 x D38cm, Table: H68.5 x W100 x D79.5cm
Reasons to buy: + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium and PE-rattan construction + Timeless design works well in a classic or modern garden + Coordinating outdoor furniture available
Reasons to avoid: – More of an investment
This PE-rattan corner sofa set with dining table offers the best of both worlds; comfortable lounging, plus a dining height surface that’s ready for alfresco meals. There’s also plenty of space for additional guests, with two padded stools that can be used for extra seating (and that slide neatly under the table when not in use) or that can be pulled up to the five-seater corner sofa to turn it into a chaise. The low-maintenance and UV-resistant PE-rattan upper is underpinned by a rust-resistant aluminium frame that’s ideal for outdoor durability, and there are two attractive colour options on offer; opt for the warm-toned oyster and stone mix or the cooler white wash and grey, both of which come with plenty of coordinating furniture options if you want to create a cohesive extended outdoor living area.
Buy now: Kettler Palmer Corner Sofa Set, £1999, John Lewis & Partners
Seats: 6 Materials: Polyester and aluminium Dimensions: Chair: H75 x W57 x D63cm, Table: H75 x W175 x D100cm
Reasons to buy: + Stylish Scandi-inspired design + Good price for a six-seater dining set + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium frames + Coordinating outdoor corner sofa available
Reasons to avoid: – Chairs don’t stack so quite bulky if you want to store indoors over winter – No parasol hole in centre of table
Considering this contemporary Scandi-inspired dining set seats six guests around its oval dining table, and that the chairs and table are made with rust-resistant aluminium frames, we think this option is a good value buy for alfresco eating. The chairs, with their cocooning backrests and padded cushions, are comfortable to sit in meaning you’ll be happy to linger over lunch outdoors, and the rounded edges of the table maximise space, making it a good option for adding a fairly generous amount of seating to a smaller patio. And, if you have a little more space to play with then there’s also the matching Crescent Corner Sofa Set to create a separate, yet coordinating, area for outdoor lounging and relaxation. Ideally, we would have liked to see a centre hole in the middle of the table so you can add a patio umbrella, but that’s nothing a cantilever garden parasol can’t solve, and the table with its weather-resistant aluminium construction should be fine left outside all year round. The polyester weave chairs are similarly low maintenance, although storing garden furniture under cover during the worst of the elements will always prolong its lifespan, so you might just want to think if you have storage space for the chairs, which, seeing as they don’t stack, are a little bulky.
Buy now: Crescent 6 Seater Dining Set, £899, Dunelm
Seats: 2 Materials: Electroplated steel Dimensions: Chairs: H81 x W42.5 x D43cm, Table: H74 x W70 x D50cm
Reasons to buy: + Weather-resistant four-layer electroplated coating + Foldable design makes for space-saving storage + Comfortable curved seats + Multiple colour options
Reasons to avoid: + More of an investment
Maximise every square inch of your garden, whatever its size, with this space-saving bistro set. Perfect for adding seating to the smallest of patios or balcony spaces, the elegant metal table and two chair set will bring Parisian charm to any outdoor space. Even better, when you’re not dining alfresco, the collapsible set folds easily away when it’s not in use, making for small-footprint storage, and clearing the decks to allow multifunctional use of your patio or courtyard. As with most bistro sets, the chairs and table are made of steel, so this option will need storing indoors during the worst of the weather to prevent rusting, however, the four-layer electroplated coating does make it tougher than most bistro sets we’ve come across, with the scratch-resistant finish giving it more protection from the elements, albeit with a higher price tag as a result.
Buy now: EMU Arc En Ciel Bistro Set, £269, John Lewis & Partners
Seats: 3 Materials: PE-rattan and powder-coated steel Dimensions: Sofa: H62.5 x W123 x D70cm, Chaise: H62.5 x W70 x D140cm, Stool: H35 x W45 x D45cm
Reasons to buy: + Affordable price point + Compact design is useful for small spaces + Hidden storage
Reasons to avoid: – Powder-coated steel construction will need protection from the worst of the elements – Cushions are fairly thin
If budget or space are your main constraints when shopping for outdoor furniture, then this mini rattan-effect garden sofa from Habitat with a powder-coated steel frame is both a compact and super affordable option that’s perfect for smaller patios. The chaise sofa seats three, with an additional cushion-topped stool that doubles as a footrest and includes a hidden storage space with a waterproof bag inside; perfect for stashing some outdoor cushions. You will need to assemble this option, but that gives the versatility to configure the chaise section left or right, depending on your patio, and there’s also the option of grey or dark brown wicker finish. Just bear in mind that the powder-coated steel frame is more vulnerable to rust if exposed to moisture than an aluminium option, so the lower price point will mean you’ll need to over-winter this option somewhere dry if you want to prolong its lifespan.
Buy now: Mini Corner Sofa Set with Storage, £320, Habitat
Seats: 4 Materials: Acacia wood Dimensions: Chairs: H72 x W72 x D70cm, Table: H46 x W110 x D60cm
Reasons to buy: + Timeless design + Weather-resistant acacia wood
Reasons to avoid: – More of an investment
Nothing says ‘classic English country garden’ quite so eloquently as Cox & Cox’s outdoor furniture collection, with the brand offering a swoon-worthy array of timeless rattan seating and wooden dining tables and chairs. The only downside is that the brand’s lead times can be lengthy making pre-ordering a bit of a necessity, so even better news is that this Scandinavian-inspired wooden lounge set is in stock and ready to deliver. Including two armchairs, a two-seater sofa, and a coordinating coffee table, the acacia wood set offers a beautifully shaped frame alongside comfortable water repellent, UV resistant cushions with low absorbent fill and zippers so covers can be removed for a spot clean.
Buy now: Turin Lounge Set, £1450, Cox & Cox
Seats: 4 Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium Dimensions: Sofa: 155 x 70 x 79.5cm, Armchair: 56.5 x 62 x 77cm, Table: 52 x 36 x 92.5cm
Reasons to buy: + Space-saving design + 4 modular configuration options + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium and PE-rattan construction
Reasons to avoid: – More of an investment
This clever rattan lounge set is perfect for outdoor areas where space is at a premium. The set comes with three modular seats; a two-seater sofa and two armless chairs, plus a coffee table that can be swapped around into four different layouts. If you don’t need the extra seating, then the chairs slot neatly into the back of the sofa unit to save on space, or you can use them to turn the sofa into a daybed, to create a corner sofa, or use them as separate seats to make up the lounge set layout. All components come ready-assembled, and the low maintenance PE-rattan and aluminium frame is lightweight to move, plus rust and weather resistant making it all-in-all a hassle-free and super versatile option.
Buy now: Maevea Rattan-effect Sofa Set, £745, B&Q
Seats: 1 Materials: PE-rattan and powder-coated steel Dimensions: H89.5 x W73 x D89cm
Reasons to buy: + Affordable price point + Stylish design + Coordinating outdoor furniture available
Reasons to avoid: – Powder-coated steel construction will need protection from the worst of the elements
Aldi is having a storming season on the garden furniture front, with its stylish Scandi-inspired designs selling out fast, especially now the brand is selling online rather than us having to try and score a piece of the brand’s must-have outdoor furniture in-store. And with some of the best-priced garden furniture around, it’s easy to see why the brand’s outdoor collection is proving so popular. Quality is what you’d expect from the lower price points, with predominantly powder-coated steel frames that are going to be more vulnerable to rust than an aluminium alternative, and more flimsy builds than the higher price point selections on our list. However, if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful garden set that won’t break the bank, and you’re willing to sacrifice longevity in the process, then it’s well worth a look for its bargain bistro sets and cut-price loungers. We’re particular fans of the rope-effect rocking chair, which we’d be as happy to house indoors (where it will also be protected from the elements) as out. It’s also complemented by a selection of coordinating outdoor furniture, including the Gardenline Rope Effect Furniture Set and Gardenline Rope Effect Snug Seat that’s perfect for more spacious relaxation.
Buy now: Aldi Gardenline Rope Effect Rocking Chair, £129.99, Aldi
Seats: 4 Materials: PEFC certified Malaysian hardwood Dimensions: Chairs: H891.5 x W41 x D46cm, Table: H74 x W90 x D90cm
Reasons to buy: + Affordable + Sustainably managed wood + Space-saving folding design + Parasol hole in table
Reasons to avoid: – Wooden outdoor furniture may require a little maintenance to prolong its lifespan
A wooden dining table and chairs are the classic outdoor look, and this set from VonHaus is a great price considering it’s crafted from sustainably managed hardwood. The set includes four dining chairs and an octagonal table, with all options able to be folded away when not in use for easy storage. The chairs also come ready assembled, so there’s just some simple assembly of the table to do on its arrival. If you want to ensure your wooden outdoor furniture lasts as long as possible, just bear in mind it may need a yearly top-up with a wood preservative to keep it protected from the elements – although many may prefer the more subtle, faded hues of weathered timber.
Buy now: Wooden Dining Set, £249.99, VonHaus
Seats: 4 Materials: Aluminium and eucalyptus wood Dimensions: Chairs: H65 x W65 x D71cm, Table: H32 x W72 x D72cm
Reasons to buy: + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium and PE-rattan construction + Coordinating outdoor furniture available
Reasons to avoid: – Armrests aren’t the most comfortable – More of an investment
Made from a rust-resistant aluminium frame with decorative eucalyptus wood detailing, this modern lounge set is built to weather the elements with minimal maintenance. The Nordic-inspired look works well in a contemporary space, whilst firm yet generous seat cushions contrast with the angular frame to deliver space to relax, although those narrow armrests do leave a little to be desired comfort-wise. This set also comes with a great range of coordinating outdoor furniture, which is perfect if you’re looking to zone your outdoor space into separate relaxation and dining areas.
Buy now: Akoa Coffee Set, £835, B&Q
Seats: 6 Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium Dimensions: Chairs: H89 x W62 x D64cm, Table: H75 x Dia. 140cm
Reasons to buy: + Weather-resistant and low maintenance aluminium and PE-rattan construction + Comfortable seating + Space-saving circular table + Also comes in a four-seater option
Reasons to avoid: – Chairs don’t stack so quite bulky if you want to store indoors over winter
Opt for the six or four-seater version of this PE-rattan and aluminium dining set and you’ll get a hardwearing, durable and timeless design that will suit a wide range of garden and patio styles. Low-maintenance and easy to care for (just give the rattan-effect uppers and glass table top a quick wipe over with a damp cloth) the rust-resistant aluminium frame means the set can be left outside all year round making for hassle-free alfresco dining whenever the weather is up to scratch. The circular table is also a useful option for smaller spaces, allowing guests to access the table with more ease in a tighter space, and the chairs, with their high backs and armrests are somewhere your lunchtime guests will be happy to linger.
Buy now: Florence 6 Seater Garden Dining Set, £950, Homebase
Seats: 2 Materials: Powder-coated steel Dimensions: Chairs: H80 x W41 x D46cm, Table: H71 x Diameter 60cm
Reasons to buy: + Space-saving folding design + Affordable price point
Reasons to avoid: – Powder-coated steel construction will need protection from the worst of the elements – Table has a fairly small surface
If you’re looking for an affordable bistro set that still delivers in the style stakes, then this attractive option from Argos Home certainly delivers on looks and price. The compromise is a slightly less sturdy and potentially less weather-resistant dining set than you’ll get if you invest in the EMU bistro set at the top of this list, but, at a fraction of the price then if you don’t mind storing this set away somewhere dry when grey clouds loom then it could still be well worth considering. The foldable set also comes in a variety of colour options (when they’re in stock), but this pale grey number will work with a wide range of patio styles, and, if you rent your home, it’s a quick and easy option to pack up and take with you if you move.
Buy now: Eve Bistro Set, £75, Argos Home
Seats: 4 Materials: Acacia wood Dimensions: W105 x D129 x H186cm
Reasons to buy: + Statement style + Base included
Reasons to avoid: – Powder-coated steel construction will need protection from the worst of the elements
A hanging egg chair is the pièce de résistance of any garden, transforming your outdoor living area into a luxe retreat and offering the perfect place to curl up with a book, enjoy a long cool drink on a warm summer’s day, or just swing and daydream to your heart’s content. However, as well as not coming cheap, a garden egg chair can also be a tricky product to track down, (no wonder the budget-friendly Aldi hanging egg chair is so rarely in stock!) which is why we’re particularly impressed with this option from Barker and Stonehouse. It may not be the cheapest option on the market, but featuring UV-proof cushions and an anti-rust frame, this garden swing chair should be able to be enjoyed for many summers to come.
Buy now: Castello Hanging Chair, £329, Barker and Stonehouse
Seats: 4 Materials: PE-rattan and powder-coated steel Dimensions: Sofa: H79 x W125.5 x D68cm, Chairs: H79 x W74.5 x D68cm, Table: H36 x W50 x L92.5cm
Reasons to buy: + On-trend contemporary design + Affordable price point
Reasons to avoid: – Powder-coated steel construction will need protection from the worst of the elements
This statement Acapulco-style outdoor lounge set does need a larger patio to look its best, but as long as you have the space to play with then its sculptural form will create a striking focal point in the garden. Included are the two cocooning armchairs, a two-seater sofa, plus the oval coffee table that’s just the right size to hold all the brunch essentials. Just add your own cushions and you have the perfect set-up to while away a sunny morning outdoors.
Buy now: Habitat Nordic Spring Bistro Set, £300, Argos
To find the best garden furniture for your outside space you’ll first want to think about how you intend to use your outdoor area; do you want to entertain large numbers of guests, create a family-friendly garden, or create a space to relax and unwind amongst nature in relative solitude?
If you’re blessed with a large patio then zoning the garden into outdoor ‘rooms’ can be a great use of space, adding a garden table and chairs that are spacious enough to host friends and family around a barbecue area in the ‘outdoor dining’ zone, and creating a more informal seating area with a corner sofa or lounge set to relax and socialise on in ‘outdoor living room’ area.
If space is more limited, then you may need to combine these areas, in which case a garden sofa set that features an extendable height riser table can be a worthy investment, allowing you to easily transform your seating from a daytime coffee spot into an alfresco dining zone in the evening. Alternatively, a chaise sofa, or option that comes with padded footstools, will transform seating into a sun lounging space when the weather allows.
And, if space is at a premium then options that fold away can help you to maximise your square footage, with collapsible bistro sets offering a smart and versatile solution.
Once you’ve decided on the type of garden furniture layout that will work best for your lifestyle, it’s time to consider the materials that outdoor furniture is made from to ensure a durable investment.
Metal The most affordable garden furniture tends to be made of powder-coated steel. Steel is highly corrosive when it comes into contact with water, so it’s protected from the outdoor elements by way of powder-coating the surface with a protective paint barrier. This works, but means steel-based outdoor furniture is likely to have weak points at joints and fixings where moisture can penetrate and gradually form rust, and any chips in the paint surface will need repairing promptly to maintain durability. For this reason, it’s generally recommended that steel-based rattan furniture is stored under cover during inclement weather, which isn’t always easy if you’re short on space, plus, steel furniture can be very heavy to move.
Aluminium-framed garden furniture is by far the more durable option, as the metal itself forms a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating the surface. It may still be powder-coated, but this is purely for aesthetic reasons rather than protection. For this reason aluminium garden furniture can be left outside all year round making it a super low maintenance option (although most manufacturers will still recommend sheltering it from the worst of the elements to prolong its lifespan even further). However, this does mean aluminium-based outdoor furniture tends to be by far the more expensive option. The added durability can make it the most cost-effective and better value investment long term though.
Rattan One of the most popular garden furniture styles, rattan garden furniture offers a timeless look that blends with most garden styles. However, most modern ‘rattan’ garden furniture is actually made of PE-rattan or polyrattan, a polyurethane plastic that offers the benefits of being lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant, and low maintenance.
The key consideration in shopping for the best rattan garden furniture your budget allows is the construction of the metal base frame that gives rattan furniture its support. As explained above, a powder-coated steel frame is likely to weather much faster than aluminium-framed rattan garden furniture, and steel-based rattan furniture is likely to need storing under shelter in inclement weather. However, aluminium-based rattan furniture will prove more of an initial investment.
Wood You’ll find wooden garden furniture made from many types of timber, but when shopping for the most durable wooden outdoor furniture, it’s hardwoods that you’ll want to look out for.
Teak is the hardwood most prized for its strength and durability outdoors. As well as offering an extremely dense grain that prevents moisture from penetrating, teak retains high levels of natural oils in its timber once cut, which further helps to prevent the wood from weathering. You can top up the wood with teak oil to offer even more weather resistance, although many allow the timber to weather over time to its signature soft silvery patina.
However, this dense grain is down to teak’s extremely slow-growing habit, and that slow growth, plus the difficulty of working with such a tough timber makes it one of the most expensive wooden options.
Like many woods, teak is also in danger of being harvested unsustainably. Reclaimed teak wood can be a more eco-friendly solution, or, as when buying any wood product, make sure to look for FSC-certification which should ensure the tree has been felled within a managed forest rather than contributing to damaging deforestation.
Cheaper and faster-growing alternatives that are now becoming very popular outdoor furniture choices are the hardwoods acacia and eucalyptus. These woods may be slightly less dense than teak but they are far-quicker growing, allowing them to be grown and managed to yield greater quantities of wood more sustainably – although again, it’s important to look for FSC accreditation. A little low-maintenance upkeep with a coat of wood preservative each year should ensure these hardwoods retain plenty of weather resistance.
If you’re looking for durability, then try to avoid garden furniture that is simply listed as a ‘wood’ or timber’ build, as it’s more likely these options are crafted from less weather-resistant softwoods.
To find the best garden furniture for this list we visited some of the most popular outdoor stores, dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Ideal Home team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party opinions via online reviews. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Ideal Home.