The best garden furniture makes outdoor eating more enjoyable, just imagine a lazy breakfast on your outdoor coffee table. This new crop of lightweight and weatherproof sofa, table and chair sets gives you somewhere comfy to lounge outside this summer. From recliners and family-size dining tables, equipping your outdoors with tables and chairs makes the garden an extension of your home.
It's a great time to buy new garden furniture as the market is flooded with innovative new designs. Upgrade your lounging and outdoor dining sets to UV-resistant options that are long-lasting. From adjustable tables and clever small-space dining sets made from the latest weather-resistant materials, this outdoor leisure furniture makes spending time in your garden pleasurable, as well as being robust enough to withstand the Great British climate.
Best garden furniture at a glance
• Best compact garden furniture set: Nordic Spring Compact 4 Seater Patio Set – View offer on Argos
• Best garden furniture set with fire pit: Signature Weave Garden Furniture Meghan Grey Corner Dining Sofa with Fire Pit – View offer on Oak Furniture House
• Best corner garden furniture set: Habitat Malta 6 Seater Steel Corner Dining Set – View offer on Argos
Choose aluminium and poly rattan furniture if lightweight and weatherproof is a priority for you. Sofas, tables and chairs with stainless steel frames are also a good option for robust and durable outdoor furniture that's not too heavy to move. Metal garden furniture has come a long way since wrought iron, however, if you prefer a natural aesthetic, opt for rattan garden furniture, which combines a sturdy metal frame with a wicker-style surface.
If you're on a budget, there are fantastic affordable outdoor sofas and dining sets. Look out for amazing offers on Amazon and B&Q. We've compiled a list of retailers who we recommend for garden furniture in the FAQs below. And if you're looking for a little more guidance on how to maintain your outdoor furniture, Modern Gardens expert Jill Morgan has got you covered.
Best garden furniture sets
Best garden furniture set with fire pit
www.oakfurniturehouse.co.uk
Description
Contemporary style with all the flair of a fire pit, to make entertaining outdoors comfortable and just a little bit spectacular. The Signature Weave Garden Furniture Meghan Grey Corner Dining Sofa with Fire Pit is made from lightweight yet durable aluminium, covered in PE rattan that has some weather resistance. It comes complete with removable cushions.
Pros
- Contemporary and stylish
- Comfy cushions
- Premium outdoor furniture
- Multifunctional
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best bench garden furniture set
www.limelace.co.uk
Description
Need some industrial chic in your outdoor space? Available in two sizes, make a modern statement with the Industrial Acacia Wood Outdoor Furniture Set and add a touch of urban chic to your outdoor space. If you'd prefer bench-style furniture set to dine and play games at with friends, this set is made of durable acacia hardwood and robust frames finished with a kiln-baked protective powder coating that can survive in the garden all year round.
Customer review: "Fast, free delivery, very pleased 👏🏻"
Pros
- Different sizes available
- Made from sustainable wood
- Premium quality
Cons
- No back support
Best compact garden furniture set
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Dining sets that shrink out of the way are big news this summer, and this Nordic Spring Compact 4 Seater Patio Set in grey is a really neat number. This is a compact solution. If your patio isn't the biggest - the table and chairs fit snugly together when not in use. With rounded backs and the faux-rattan woven chairs slotting comfortably under the table, it's a great option for a small outside space.
Customer review: "Love this table and chair combo set. I picked this due to the make being Habitat as I have a habitat sofa bed. It's so neat and the chairs tuck in nicely under the table and this keeps the chairs dry. I would recommend it."
Pros
- Compact
- Removable legs for storage
- Space-saving outdoor dining for four people
Cons
- Seats are a little low
Best rattan bistro set
www.habitat.co.uk
Description
Create a bistro zone on your own patio with this chic Habitat 2-Seater Bamboo Bar Bistro Set. This 3-piece combination is captivating - not to mention just perfect as the summer approaches. Classically styled with a rattan-edged, round glass table top and typical thigh-high bar chairs it's great for brunch, lunch or evening cocktails. Comfortable, stylish and fun.
Customer review: "Really happy with our purchase, it looks lovely on our balcony. It took two of us to build it as it was a bit difficult to get everything into place, but now it’s up it seems sturdy."
Pros
- Comfortable and stylish
- Loads of five star reviews
- Sturdy
Cons
- May get knocked over in high winds
Best corner garden furniture set
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Transform your garden into an elegant sanctuary with this Habitat Malta 6 Seater Steel Corner Dining Set. The six-seater piece features a textured cord finish and a smoked glass table-top that will make hosting a dream. The set includes a three-seater and two-seater sofa that fit together to form a corner unit, as well as two stools. Just be sure to cover or store this set inside in winter months.
Customer review: "Looks great in the garden, great quality for the price and looks like it will last well. Really comfortable too."
Pros
- Great quality
- Fits snuggly in a corner
- Seats six people - ideal for families
Cons
- Seat cushions are a letdown
Best classic-style garden furniture set
www.johnlewis.com
Description
Fancy having breakfast on the patio but dinner at the bottom of the garden? Choose furniture that's designed to be easy to move so you can easily reposition it around your plot to follow the sun. This LG Outdoor Devon 6-Seater Garden Dining Table Set with Parasol is made to be moved. A current trend is for furniture that appears to be made from hefty cast iron but is constructed from lightweight resin. Durable, rust-free and warm to the touch, it's easy to look after too. This set from LG Outdoor can remain safely outside year-round.
Customer review: "When we had our lovely new wooden greenhouse installed, hubby suggested we have a 'G&T corner' next to it, so obviously we needed something equally lovely to sit and sip. It's not only gorgeous to look at, but is excellent quality and has already had many admiring comments from friends. Worth every penny."
Pros
- Easy to move
- Can be left outside all year
- Traditional style
Cons
- Difficult assembly
Best pack-away garden furniture set
www.johnlewis.com
Description
If you're after a garden furniture set that can be left out all year round or packed away with ease, look no further than the KETTLER Versa 4-Seat Garden Lounging Table and Chairs Set. Designed for compact storage, the chairs simply slide underneath the sofa, making it very easy to store when not in use and an ideal pick for smaller gardens, patios, or balconies.
Customer review: "I love the simple, sharp, smart design of the Garden chairs and table. The cushions are very comfy and easy to remove when not in use."
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Very comfortable
- Durable powder-coated aluminium frames
- 5-star reviews
Cons
- Customer review comments that back cushions move around a little bit
Best garden furniture set with storage
www.ebay.co.uk
Description
Our gardens have never been so well used, being the venue for everything from work meetings to yoga sessions, as well as family meals and catch-ups with friends. If you want to be able to clear away blankets, candles, or toys without having to lug them inside, the Habitat Mini Corner Sofa Set with Storage comes with storage in the stool. Super handy. The traditional, lightweight rattan patio set offers comfort too, with the six classic cream cushions.
Customer review: "This was harder than I thought it would be to put together but it seems sturdy and makes a great addition to our garden. Good value for money. Looks particularly nice with a few additional bright cushions added."
Pros
- Sturdy and good value
- Storage inside stools
Cons
- Needs extra cushions for comfort
How we chose the best garden furniture
All of this garden furniture has been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the type of materials, seating capacity, and durability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching garden furniture to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs
Jill Morgan writes for Modern Gardens magazine and answers your frequently asked questions on garden furniture.
Where can I buy garden furniture?
Jill writes: "Thankfully, there are a lot of places where you can hunt for your ideal garden furniture, from online sites to department stores. Make sure to bookmark these pages and visit them over the course of the year if you want to refresh your outdoor space. Always remember that the summer months are a busy time for buying garden furniture, and the shops will have low or no stock at all. Sales are a great chance to bag a bargain, including Black Friday sales and summer sales."
What is the best outdoor furniture that holds up to weather?
It's not just rain that can weather your garden furniture, but leaving it out in strong sun can also have a detrimental effect. The most durable kind of garden furniture is metal, followed by hardwood, with rattan bringing up the rear.
Storing your garden furniture in your garden shed, garage, or even greenhouse is advised when it's not in use. Alternatively, investing in covers is a wise option to keep your furniture protected.
How do I maintain my garden furniture?
Jill advises: "The best way to make your furniture set last is to observe the changing weather and seasons carefully. All garden furniture sets will benefit from being covered up overnight in winter and even spring and summer when humidity is high, and rain is common in the UK. Depending on the brand, you can buy furniture covers for your furniture when you first decide to buy or longer down the line. Furniture covers are sold in sizes and brands, so make sure you have the dimensions handy.
"When it comes to cleaning your garden furniture, keeping things simple is the best way to keep it looking great year after year. If you have wooden or plastic furniture, the easiest, most effective, and cheapest way to clean your furniture is by using soapy water, using a mild detergent or washing up liquid, and then using a brush or sponge to scrub it down. Simply rinse with a garden hose if you have one, and leave it to dry in direct sunlight.
"If you have stubborn stains, using a pressure washer will do the job if soapy water isn't doing the trick."
Best furniture covers
Always check the dimensions of your garden furniture before buying a cover for it. You can find the best covers here to protect furniture of all shapes and sizes, but here's a few of our favourites:
Best all-round garden furniture cover
Description
Available in a whole load of different sizes, bemece garden furniture covers are made of high-density Oxford fabric and UV-resistant coating lining, which has been tested repeatedly in the factory and is waterproof, UV resistant, tear-resistant and fading resistant.
Pros
- Available in a range of sizes
- Waterproof, UV, tear and fade resistant
- On the whole, very well-reviewed
Cons
- Some customers have commented on the straps not being effective
Best cover for a garden table
www.argos.co.uk
Description
If you are after something large, versatile, and affordable, then this extra-large patio set cover from Argos will cover most items due to its generous size.
Pros
- Strong fabric with PVC lining
- Year-round protection from weather
Cons
- Take note of the dimensions to ensure it fits your table and to avoid disappointment
Best cover for garden chairs
Description
Even your standard plastic chairs could do with some protection. Save yourself from the task of spring cleaning your chairs each year by investing in a cover.
Pros
- Value for money
- Protects from weather and dirt
Cons
- None
Why should I keep a fire safety certificate on my garden furniture?
When you buy an upholstered sofa or chair for indoors or outside, by UK law, a fire safety label must be on the item. Do not remove this label otherwise, it cannot be rehomed, given to charity or sold on in the future. It will end up in landfill. Reuse Network gives more guidance on this, but the key takeaway is that the padding is cigarette and match resistant and meets British Fire Safety Regulations. Whatever you do, never remove the fire safety label from your furniture.
What to read next:
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.