When our garden furniture started to fall apart last year, it was surprisingly difficult to make the right choice for our garden. Factors include style, price, durability and maintenance.
In the winter, we have nowhere to store the chairs and tables, and I don’t want to cover them. I wanted to enjoy our winter garden and be able to sit outside with a coffee on a nice day. But this may mean that some garden furniture does not last as long.
However, there are other factors as well. If you are buying furniture for a roof terrace, balcony or wind garden, then weight is important. Lightweight garden furniture can easily blow over unless secured.
Here are answers to the top questions about buying garden furniture, plus photos of the best garden furniture I’ve seen in gardens and at shows this year. I have provided sources where possible, but variations of most of these styles are quite widely available.
When to buy garden furniture
We bought our patio furniture in late summer. That’s a good time – even though the selection is smaller, the chances of a price cut are greater. If your goal is to save, then the New Year sales are also a good option.
If you want maximum choice, then it’s a good idea to start hunting for garden furniture in early spring, when new stock arrives for the summer.
Which garden furniture to choose?
You can choose from six options: wood, metal, rattan, plastic, stone/stone composites and built-in seats/tables made of hard landscaping materials.
Traditional wooden garden benches at West Dean Gardens in Sussex. When choosing wood, only hardwoods such as teak and cedar can be left outside for long periods. The tree will need annual maintenance.
The most durable is plastic, metal and built-in or composite garden furniture made of stone/stone. And plastic will also be the cheapest, while quality wood and rattan are generally the most expensive.
Top: Dan Cooper Garden’s ‘bistro set’, made from scratch-resistant sheet metal with an all-weather coating. On the left is a recycled vintage ‘Tolix’ style chair seen on BBC Gardeners World Live. You can find similar Tolix chairs on Amazon and elsewhere. Above: A metal rocking bench in writer Francine Raymond’s garden.
Natural rattan is not weatherproof, but synthetic polyethylene resin rattan (pictured above) is very durable and can live outside without a cover. However, it will last longer if you cover it or store it in winter. Braid is a type of weaving, while rattan is the material from which the chair is made.
Stone and stone composites
Stone and stone composites are extremely durable. I have two stone composite benches from Haddonstone. One is 30 years old and the other is 10 years old. You cannot tell the difference between them. They occasionally need cleaning, but are otherwise completely weatherproof.
In the end, we chose a dining table with a stone composite top from Garden Trading. It was a bit more expensive than quality teak garden tables of a similar size, but I think it will last longer, especially as we don’t plan to cover it in the winter.
Built-in garden furniture
Many people use leftover pavers or wood to install benches as part of hard landscaping. This is extremely durable and also very low maintenance. It’s also a good option for smaller spaces because you can build exactly the shape and size you need.
Shown above is a bench made of recycled pavers and wood in a display garden designed by Amelia Bouquet. Above: Remains of decking, stones and planks converted into seating at the Diggers Club, Heronswood.
What style is your house or garden?
When we were looking for new patio furniture, we came to the conclusion that there are a limited number of patio furniture styles. And in each category there are cheaper and more expensive brands. The more expensive ones will generally last longer and may look better.
One place to start is by bringing the style of your house into the garden. This post on how to connect your house and garden shows how. Taking color themes, tiling and flooring, and furniture styles from the home makes your house and garden feel more cohesive.
So once you’ve settled on a price, your final decision will likely come down to style.
Garden furniture styles
Mid-century modern
Mid-century modern garden furniture has a wonderful retro feel, and works well in a contemporary setting. These garden chairs are in a garden designed by Lisa Feurtado of Fuschia Green Garden Design. Alice’s Garden Egg designer wire chairs are similar. You can see more of Lisa’s designs in how to connect your house with your garden.
These ‘egg’ chairs feature in a garden designed by Lisa Feurtado of Fushchia Green Garden Design in Kent.
Mid-century modern – the chairs are in a show garden designed by Tony Woods/GardenclubLondon. And the image below shows a ‘cocoon’ style garden chair in a show garden designed by Nikki Hollier.
Contemporary
Contemporary garden furniture includes many rattan sets as well as artisan items.
Top: Contemporary garden bench and table designed by Pollyanna Wilkinson. Above: A contemporary display garden bench designed by Anthony Lionel Landscapes.
Traditional style
Wooden garden furniture is available in a wide range of prices. And it is the most traditional style of garden furniture. From Lutyens benches to teak garden tables, it is probably the most loved and well-known style.
Traditional garden furniture is often made of wood or stone/stone composites. It suits old houses and traditional style.
Vintage or used
Buying used garden furniture is the most environmentally friendly option, and it can also be one of the cheapest. Check out online auctions, such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, and free sites, such as Freegle or Freecyle. But make sure the furniture is sturdy or can be repaired.
We have a set of French metal chairs from the 1960s that we bought for around £20 each in a depo vente (a type of second-hand warehouse) in the south of France. We undoubtedly spent a lot more on gas by strapping them to the roof of the car and driving them to the UK.
Metal garden furniture is very durable, so it’s a good choice for vintage and second-hand purchases. Check that it is tight and remove any signs of rust.
Outdoor pillows can make a big difference
Can garden furniture be left outside?
Most garden furniture is designed to be left outside. However, natural rattan and wicker and some wooden furniture should really be brought inside overnight or during the winter.
What else should I consider when buying garden furniture?
Think about the weight of the garden furniture. If you live in a windy area, or are buying for a balcony or roof garden, you don’t want lightweight patio furniture that could blow away. Rattan and plastic are the lightest.
Check the maintenance requirements. Everything needs to be maintained and everything will last longer if properly maintained.
Rattan or wicker – which is better?
Rattan is a natural material and wicker is a style of weaving, so people use the terms ‘rattan’ and ‘wicker’ for garden furniture interchangeably. However, you cannot leave garden furniture made of natural rattan and wicker outside. It is better to use them in the conservatory and occasionally put them outside in good weather.
However, synthetic rattans are treated to make them much more weather resistant. They are usually made of polyethylene resin or PE. They are designed to be left outside.
Check the maintenance requirements and how long the warranty lasts.
Which garden furniture can go on grass
Are the outer cushions waterproof?
Garden furniture with storage