The elegant appeal of minimalist design is epitomised by hairpin style furniture. It's an interior trend that has spread to our outdoor furniture. The simplicity of function underpinning design is a part of the evolution of the hairpin leg. Developed in the 1940s by Henry Glass, the metal leg is sturdy and yet made with the bare minimum of materials.
No matter what size outdoor space you have, space-saving, lightweight and chic hairpin garden furniture is a superb option for compact gardens and conservatories. Wayfair's resident style advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill says, “This slender design is perfect in a small outdoor space such as a balcony or patio because the vertical lines create a sense of height and therefore a more open feel to the space.”
Hairpin legs were invented during World War II when materials were limited. The unique structure of the legs meant that they were strong and durable but made of less metal. Form blended with function, hairpin style furniture is perfect for the garden because it's lightweight, strong and practical. Characterised by thin metal legs, there are chairs, tables, outdoor sofas, plant stands and even sun loungers that extend the trend for mid-century furniture from our homes into our gardens.
Best hairpin style furniture at a glance:
• Best luxury hairpin garden furniture set: Pacific Lifestyle Rio PU 4 Piece Seating Set – View on Robert Dyas
• Best for a conservatory: Samara Small 2 Seater Sofa – View on Dunelm
• Best for standout design: Salsa 2-Seater Garden Sofa – View on John Lewis
When creating an outdoor room, it's important to consider comfort, practicality, budget and the space you have available. Always measure up first and if possible, try and visit a store to see the item of furniture for real to avoid disappointment. Let's unpack how you can get this chic minimalist look this season.
Best hairpin style furniture
Best luxury hairpin furniture set
www.robertdyas.co.uk
Get modern minimalist design with a pop of colour with this striking Pacific blue four-piece seating set. Imagine cocktail parties on summer evenings, reclining on these stylish chairs. Made from synthetic weave and powder-coated steel, the chairs and table can stand up to the elements too. Practical and appealing.
Pros
- Statement piece furniture
- Weatherproof
Cons
- None
Best for a conservatory
www.dunelm.com
Less is more with the Samara Small 2 Seater Sofa. This retro-inspired piece is designed to be lightweight and space-saving. It's made from natural rattan, so while we wouldn't put it outside all year round, it would be perfect in a conservatory.
Customer review: "Easy assembly and modern looking two-seater that will only get light use."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Expensive
Best for standout design
www.johnlewis.com
A sunny outdoor sofa set, this Salsa two-seater will brighten up any garden. Made of durable weatherproof materials, you can leave this garden furniture outside all year (however, do store it away in the worst weather conditions). The sofa is lightweight so you can move it around your garden and follow the position of the sun.
Customer review: "Love the ombré look of this bench, I already had two string chairs but I wanted a pop of colour in my garden and more casual seating for having people over. The yellow is so cheery. They're so comfortable and easy to maintain as they're waterproof and don't need to be stored away when the weather is bad like cushioned furniture."
Pros
- Wipe clean
- Stylish two-tone colour
- Lightweight
Cons
- Try and have a look in-store before you buy to avoid any disappointment
Best hairpin style planter
Form and function go hand-in-hand with minimalist design. This elegant planter set offers a sturdy stand for plant pots, with minimal materials and an aesthetically pleasing structure. Perfect for displaying succulents, the metal planters elevate the everyday into art.
Customer review: "Love these stands. Good size, sturdy and look great. Pack of two and great price."
Pros
- Value for money
- Sturdy
Cons
- Some reviews commented that they would have liked the stand to be bigger
Best customisable hairpin garden furniture
www.etsy.com
This handmade hairpin leg table and bench set is a stylish fusion of modern industrial with rustic wood. The seller can make your table in a range of sizes and shapes, which means you end up with a unique piece of furniture. This is a statement piece of garden furniture that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Customer review: "The guidelines and pre-drilled holes meant I had it set up in about 20 minutes."
Pros
- Unique and handmade
- Uses reclaimed wood
Cons
- None
Best rustic industrial hairpin table
www.ebay.co.uk
For a simple table that serves a purpose, this Reclaimed Outdoor Dining Table and Bench Set has hairpin legs to maximise the feeling of light and space. Available in a range of sizes and finishes, you'll find this clutter-free piece garden furniture set will make a long-lasting and versatile addition to your garden. In addition, there are a number of wood types to choose from.
Pros
- Quality reclaimed wood
- Range of sizes
- Versatile
Cons
- Expensive
Best tall hairpin planter
www.waitrosegarden.com
Architectural-style plants perfectly complement this minimalist metal plant stand. Making use of vertical space, structure and style are exclusive to one another. With 30cm clearance off the floor you could use the Tall Galvanised Planter with Stand as part of a larger display - let the inspo allow your ideas to blossom.
Pros
- Versatile
- Sturdy
- Quality
Cons
- No customer review
Make your own bespoke hairpin bench or table
Source your own hairpin legs online, then ask a local carpenter to make you a bespoke bench or table. You could use reclaimed wood that's asymmetric or even a segment of a tree trunk for something truly unique.
Best DIY hairpin table legs
Available in an enormous range of sizes, colours and styles so you can truly create your vision of the perfect modern minimalist garden table.
Customer review: "I found these legs on Amazon and they looked very good quality so I decided to try them, when they arrived they were very well wrapped and as soon as I unwrapped them I was impressed with: The build quality was excellent. The finish was also excellent. They came with their own fixing screws, again these were perfect for the job, I was so impressed I ordered a second set and made another table."
Pros
- Range of sizes and styles
- Sturdy
Cons
- Need some DIY skills and a vision
FAQs
What makes for good quality hairpin style furniture?
Tom Caldwell, owner of The Hairpin Leg Company, says quality legs use the best materials. “Look for cold rolled steel, which has a better finish than hot rolled steel, which can flake when bent." Watch out for thinner metal – steel with less than a 10mm diameter, which is common in cheaper legs, won’t wear as well. Also check the weight of the leg, as some cheaper designs use hollow tubes rather than solid metal and these won’t last as long either.
“Details like the quality of the bend at the base are a small but important feature,” says Tom. “The bend should be completely symmetrical, with no thinning or deforming of the metal. With high-quality welding and professional finishing with powder coat paint or electroplating, these are the main areas that indicate a well-made hairpin leg.”
Can I leave hairpin leg furniture outside?
Tom also has some expert advice on preserving metal hairpin legs. He warns that they shouldn’t be left out in the damp and rain.
"The only one that’s fully waterproof is the silver steel, electro-plated zinc finish – the others are only water-resistant and should be kept under cover. Outdoor furniture with bare steel hairpin legs needs protecting from rust. You can use a metal paint such as Hammerite, penetrating oils or spray-on lacquers on the legs.
"For an outdoor table top, I recommend using treated wood rated for outdoor use. As long as it’s pressure-treated it will be fine – think decking wood or treated pine. You can paint, varnish or stain any wood, however, these finishes need to be re-applied every year or so. You could also go for an untreated wood and then enjoy the natural ageing and weathering process over time – larch is popular outdoors for example."
What types of metal finish are there on hairpin garden furniture?
Tom gives us a run-down of the most common types of metal used in hairpin garden furniture:
Raw steel is 100 per cent natural and bare. Because it rusts, it’s perfect for an industrial, weathered look or if you want to finish the legs yourself.
Clear coat creates an industrial, raw steel look without rust, and has a slight sheen.
Colour powder coat is weather-resistant, protects legs from rust and comes in eight shades.
Silver steel, electro-treated with zinc for a robust, rust-proof finish, is ideal for outdoors and pairs perfectly with stainless steel.
Copper creates a striking, modern aesthetic and develops a beautiful patina over time. Chrome, polished to a mirror finish, looks brilliant with a dark top.
All these finishes are available from the Hairpin Leg Company.
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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.