Your garden furniture guide

Suiting your garden space

When it comes to garden furniture, it’s best to go for designs that suit your space - and you’ll be pleased to know, whether your garden’s big or small, there are plenty of options to choose from.

If your garden’s a compact space, you may not want a large dining set, as you’ll struggle to fit anything else into your garden, so choose something that fits your needs as well as your space - like an extendable table. When you’ve finished hosting, simply pop the table back to its original size and you’ll have a compact table that works for your garden size. Go for foldable chairs too that’ll easily store away when not in use.

Have a small balcony area? If there’s two of you, a bistro set will work best. But if you want ultimate comfort and relaxation, there’s nothing stopping you indulging in a stylish egg chair.

There’s no getting away from the fact that we get a fair amount of rain in this country (and sometimes some sun!) so if you have the space, you may want to think about a parasol to help you catch some shade and keep any light rain at bay.

Rattan, wood or metal?

Once you’ve decided on the size, next thing is thinking about the material. There are pros and cons to all different garden furniture types, so here’s a few pointers to help make your decision.

Metal

Metal furniture is strong, durable and low maintenance and will certainly stand the test of time. Because of the strong structure, they can get a little uncomfortable with short periods of use, so it’s important to get yourself some quality cushions and accessories to make it nice and comfy.

Rattan

Rattan is very much the ‘in’ style when it comes to garden furniture, and it’s comfy too. Rattan isn’t as sturdy as metal, but with good care it will last. Rattan sets come in all shapes and sizes including corner sofas, perfect for lounging, and 4-seater tables great for family dining in the sun.

Wood

Wood furniture probably involves the most maintenance out of all the options available. To help it stand against all weathers it’s best to treat the wood once a year. What’s great with wood is that you can change up the colour whenever you like to suit your taste; it doesn’t always have to be natural wood colour.

Garden furniture styles

There are so many styles of garden furniture to choose from. Let’s take a look at your options...

Foldable seats

It’s always best to have enough seats for your guests, but they don’t have to match – you can always create a stylish theme with your cushions and throws. Go for ones that fold up so they can easily store away when not in use.

Alternative seats

Choose seats that double up as storage when space is limited. If you want to add some texture and personality to your garden, then go for footstools or beanbags that can be used as extra seating.

Recliners

If you like to soak up the sun, then a recliner could be for you. Just think, cocktail in one hand, a good book in the other…

Wooden benches

Perhaps you go for the traditional look? Then you’ll love a wooden Jack and Jill bench. Pop it in the shade, and not only is it the perfect setting for a good cuppa, but it’ll create a lovely feature in your garden.

Bistro sets

These are great for patios and perfect for the two of you. Usually made from metal, they’re easy to maintain and are made with a sturdy structure. Choose from glass tops to stylish mosaic designs.

Sofas and lounge sets

If you want to bring the indoors out, then a corner sofa will be the ideal choice for you. Choose one that comes with a table, and you can dine al fresco as well as take an afternoon nap!

All the accessories

It’s not just your living room furniture that needs cushions and throws; your outdoor furniture deserves it too.

Create comfort and add style with outdoor cushions, and when the sun goes down, make sure you stay warm with throws.

When you’re hosting, a rotating Lazy Susan will definitely come in handy. Pop in the middle of the dining table and your guests can reach all the tasty condiments with ease.

Don’t forget the tableware too, like reusable bamboo or plastic cups and picnic sets that’ll work perfectly outdoors.

Care and maintenance

When the sun disappears and you head back indoors, make sure you bring any cushions and seat pads indoors, or store them in a garden trunk or the shed. If you know you won’t be using your furniture for a good few months and you have the storage space, then store it away to help prolong its life.

Garden covers

To help protect your furniture from sun and rain, make sure you keep it covered with a patio set cover when it’s not in use.

Wood protection

You’ll need to paint wood roughly once a year to protect it from all weathers. You can choose oil to help the wood stand out or paint it in any colour of your choice.