The best outdoor sofas can help make life lovely and create a garden that is just as comfy and stylish as your indoor space. They're more affordable than you might think, and they’re perfect for laid-back garden living and outdoor get-togethers, which have fast become the staple socialising choice. By upgrading your garden furniture you can make the most of all year-round entertaining with weatherproof, durable yet stylish pieces.
There are a host of outdoor sofas available including lightweight, easy-to-move designs, and modular styles, enabling you to switch up the furniture layout to suit your space as well as the occasion. Alternatively, opt for larger sofas such as sofa dining sets, perfect for enjoying lunch outdoors in the warm weather or catching up with friends.
Best outdoor sofas at a glance:
• Best compact garden sofa: Outsunny Wicker 2 Seater Rattan Sofa - view offer on Amazon UK
• Best aluminium outdoor sofa: Outsunny 3pcs Garden Sectional Sofa – view on B&Q
• Best garden sofa set that's a little bit different: Habitat Noah 5 Piece Steel Sofa Set – view on JDFurniture
One of the most important considerations is the size of your sofa. It's got to fit in your garden after all! Are you after a sofa for a feet-up coffee or lounge, or to create a social area in your garden. Think about the number of people you'll like to seat as this'll give you a heads up on the size and shape best needed to ensure your sofa transforms how you use your outdoor space without swamping it.
Most of us with a modern garden design like to keep adding a little something or swapping planters around, to subtly switch up the look, and the best outdoor sofas will allow you to take this fun to a whole new level.
Best outdoor sofa
Best compact garden sofa
Outsunny/AmazonDescription
Just for two, the Outsunny Wicker 2 Seater Rattan Sofa has a wicker weave effect that's water and UV-resistant. This lovely little loveseat is pretty and petite, ideal if your garden is small or you have a conservatory that needs some seating.
Customer review: "Excellent value for money and was a good match with my existing rattan furniture… easy too assemble too… really pleased with my purchase."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Chunky padded cushion
Cons
- Some found it fiddly to assemble
Best cane effect outdoor sofa
Verywww.very.co.uk
Description
Light, bright and airy, this Madrid Cane Effect Sofa Set is perfect for opening up smaller patios. With contrasting black powder-coated steel legs and cream cushions and frame, it looks high-end too.
Customer review: "Strong and durable furniture. It’s lasted the winter outside in all weathers with a simple cover over it. The metal frame makes it very durable and strong. I got lots of compliments last summer as it’s super stylish. Bought the Madrid bistro set also to compliment it."
Pros
- Lightweight and stylish
- Robust frame
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the cushion is a bit thin
Best garden sofa set that's a little bit different
Habitat/JDFurniture jdfurniture.uk
Description
This boho-inspired rattan garden sofa set is unique, chic, and smart with comfy cushioning, elegant steel legs, and cocooning curves. The Habitat Noah 5 Piece Steel Sofa Set also has has a matching glass-topped table, sold separately, creating the ideal resting place for your favourite tipple.
Customer review: "Honestly better than I ever expected. It’s basically already put together. Took 30 mins to put together… for all of them. Bigger than expected but also better quality - especially for the price."
Pros
- Chic and stylish
- A little bit different
Cons
- Needs a cushion or two
Best aluminium outdoor sofa
Outsunny/B&Qwww.diy.com
Description
Want to make the most of a hot spot on your lawn? This aluminium Outsunny 3pcs Garden Sectional Sofa with cushions is made from lightweight and durable aluminium that's weatherproof and stylish. While it's not the cheapest option, it's certainly got timeless appeal that will keep this outdoor sofa looking fresh whatever the weather.
Pros
- Spacious
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Durable
Cons
- No reviews available
Best bamboo effect outdoor sofa
Habitat/Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
Welcome in the warmer weather with this gorgeous bamboo effect sofa set, complete with a sofa, two armchairs, and a coffee table. Habitat 4 Seater Bamboo Effect Garden Sofa Set offers Style and substance. The rattan and striking black motifs will help transport you into holiday mode in an instance.
C****ustomer review: "Lovely set of comfortable garden furniture. Went together easily and quickly. Cushions thick enough for comfort but not too bulky for storage. Really gives the garden a lift and a focal point."
Pros
- Stylish
- Lightweight
Cons
- Needs to be stored inside in harsher weather
Best on-trend sofa set
Dunelmwww.dunelm.com
Description
With promising reviews, the Elements 4 Seater Rope Sofa Set provides the perfect space to sit back, sunbathe, and relax. In a beautiful modern yet natural design, it boasts ample space on the table and for seating.
Customer review: "Exactly what I was looking for. Husband didn’t even require my assistance with assembly, all up and ready to use in less than 40mins! Looks more expensive than it is, very comfy and is not lost in our fairly large garden. Have added some extra cushions to add colour. Is fairly sturdy took, have had lots of positive comments."
Pros
- Contemporary style
- A good value set
Cons
- Take a little bit of time to assemble
Best garden sofa for entertaining
The Range www.therange.co.uk
Description
Get more for your money with this Rattan Garden Furniture Wicker Conservatory Corner Sofa Set. With enough style and comfort to seat six people, the this is one of the best outdoor sofas that means the whole family will be able to sit back and relax. This set comes with a two and three-seater freestanding sofa that'll fit well in the corner of your garden or patio and a coffee table to match.
Customer review: "Good quality set from the range, lovely thick cushions. This came partially put together and was so easy to assemble. Delivery firm where excellent! Kept us informed on a day we wanted the delivery to arrive. Really pleased with everything."
Pros
- A great option for entertaining guests
- UV-resistant
- Strong steel frame
Cons
- Not very portable
Best love bed
Evre/AmazonDescription
If you like the idea of being able to take a cheeky afternoon nap on your outdoor sofa, this "love bed" style option could suit. The moveable footstool means that you can position it to extend your seating area - you can move it to the left or right lengthways, or have it parallel to the seat. This whole set is made of PE rattan weave and comes complete with matching 5cm thick cushions.
Customer review: "Simple assembly, took me 20 mins on my own, best to loosely fit all the screws for each component first, then tighten all once in they are all in place, prevents difficulty lining them up; no problems whatsoever this way. Looks lovely and perfect for my little patio area. Extremely pleased with this and even more so at the price paid."
Pros
- Moveable stool
- Powdered steel frame
Cons
- Cushion covers are hand-wash only
How we chose the best outdoor sofas
All of these outdoor sofas have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the style, seating capacity, and materials in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching outdoor sofas 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
Set the scene for your outdoor sofa
Want to create your own outdoor living space? If you've got your best outdoor sofa set, position the chairs directly facing the sofa, with the coffee table taking centre stage for a real sense-of-occasion, or arrange them in a loose L-shape for a more laid-back vibe.
Group furniture around an outdoor rug and add in large container plants for a secluded feel, or just use the two chairs with an outdoor lamp or swag of festoon lights if you’re after instant twilight charm.
Take the outdoor room feel one step further by adding a ceiling. A shade sail overhead will lend some shelter from sun or a light shower, or position the furniture under a pergola laden with scented climbers. Add in garden lights and plenty of decorative cushions, even an embroidered wall hanging to hide the fence or wall, along with a soothing water feature, and you’ll create an irresistible and intimate garden retreat.
The real joy of furnishing any space – inside or out – lies in discovering pieces that we love, so have fun researching before you buy. Intricate open weaves, elegant rope styles, pale woods, and painted neutral shades are all stunningly seductive and make smart future-proof purchases.
What do I need to know about the metal that's used to make garden furniture?
Wrought iron
This is a malleable form of iron that is worked with tools. Wrought is actually an archaic word for 'worked' so the literal meaning is worked iron. Because this process is done by hand, you get a hammered finish and is mostly associated with traditional metal furniture. It requires regular maintenance and will patina over time.
Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that is stronger and more durable as a result of the smelting and oxidisation process. It's the strongest metal used in furniture making, but it's also heavier and more expensive. Untreated steel can be susceptible to rust.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a unique metal that's non-magnetic and widely used in everyday items. It's the ideal material for outdoor furniture because it's lightweight, sturdy and won't corrode. Aluminium is a lot lighter than steel or iron because it's a less dense material. When cleaning aluminium garden furniture, use warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth.
What is the best material for outdoor furniture?
The most common materials for outdoor furniture from all the best garden furniture brands are aluminium, rattan, stainless steel, wood, and wrought iron. Obviously the strongest of these are the metals, with wood, like the popular option of teak, coming in second. The benefit of rattan furniture is that it is lightweight, so can easily be moved around your outside space.
What to read next:
Description
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Angela Kenny is production editor of Modern Gardens magazine. She loves spending time in her garden with her husband Alan and their three cats Rupert, Darcy and Frankie.