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 (opens in new tab), Homebase (opens in new tab), and B&Q (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab), Aldi (opens in new tab), and more, that deliver good looks on a lower budget.
The best garden furniture of 2022
(Image credit: Homebase)
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 it’s 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.
(Image credit: Kettler)
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.
(Image credit: Cox & Cox)
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. However, the good news is that this Scandinavian-inspired wooden lounge set is currently in stock and ready to deliver right now.
The set includes two armchairs, a two-seater sofa, and a coordinating coffee table, with the beautifully shaped acacia wood frames offset by comfortable dark grey cushions with water-repellent low absorbency fill, and UV-resistant covers with zippers that mean they can easily be removed for a spot clean.
(Image credit: B&Q)
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.
(Image credit: Garden Trading)
A metal bistro set makes for a timeless addition to any outside space, whether providing an intimate dining spot in a larger garden, or a space-saving centrepiece on a smaller patio.
The French-inspired Rive Droite set from Garden Trading comes in either a two-seater or four-seater option depending on your space requirements, with the benefit that both feature folding table and chairs that can easily be stowed away when not in use.
Each set is also available in a great range of colours, from the heritage Greengage and Lulworth Blue to brighter Lemon Yellow and Pomegranate Red, as well as the timeless Carbon Black and Chalk White options; there are plenty of choices to create a stylish alfresco seating area.
(Image credit: VonHaus)
This stylish grey Acapulco-style outdoor lounge set is a great option for a modern outside space. Just throw some cushions into the cocoon seats or loveseat and you have the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon.
Made from PE-rattan and powder-coated steel, this four-seater set will be best stored under cover during the worst of the British weather to prolong its lifespan, but opting for steel rather than aluminium-framed outdoor furniture does make for a significant saving, with this set coming in well under £400.
Wait for one of VonHaus’ fairly regular sales and you may be able to snap it up at an even better price.
(Image credit: Habitat)
If you want to transform your outside space into an oasis of calm then this bamboo-effect outdoor lounge set from Habitat will help you to create the tropical vibes that set the tone for relaxation.
Made from PE-rattan with powder-coated steel frames, the four-seater set with matching coffee table will need a little more protection from the elements to ensure it’s longevity compared with an aluminium-framed alternative, but at just over £300 you are making a big initial price saving in comparison.
If your outdoor space is on the larger side, then there’s also a wide range of coordinating garden furniture to choose from within the range, including bamboo-effect outdoor bar sets, dining sets, and more.
(Image credit: Homebase)
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.
(Image credit: Habitat)
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.
(Image credit: Gardenline)
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, then the brand’s bargain bistro sets and cut-price loungers are well worth a look.
We’re particular fans of this rope-effect rocking chair, which we’d be as happy to house indoors as out.
How to choose the best garden furniture for your outside space
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.
What materials make the most durable outdoor furniture?
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.
How we selected the best garden furniture
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.
