I’ve tracked down the top places to buy the best garden furniture so that you don’t have to – whether you’re after a dining set or an outdoor sofa, these are my top recommendations
These are my go-to brands and retailers to shop outdoor furniture for this al fresco season and beyond
Amy Lockwood
We’re officially in spring! And with this milestone behind us, the al fresco dining, lounging and hosting season is just around the corner. To make the most out of your outdoor space, the best garden furniture for the said space is needed – that’s why I rounded up where to buy the best outdoor furniture to make your search as easy as possible.
No matter the size or the type of your outdoor area - be it a large garden, a balcony or a small patio - there’s a garden furniture idea for you and your space on this list. Not to mention that the brands listed have a lot more to offer than just my top three picks from each I’ve included here.
From budget to high end brands, I’ve been trying as many outdoor furniture styles as possible over the last few months, as well as previous years since many companies bring back several of their popular designs year after year. But since garden furniture is mostly very large and it’s a seasonal type of product, many retailers don’t display a wide range of the garden furniture styles they sell in a physical store, while some brands operate exclusively online. So in these instances, I had to rely on the companies’ websites, customer reviews and the experience of the Ideal Home team for guidance.
I believe that picking out and ultimately buying outdoor furniture should be the same as shopping for any indoor furniture and the standards should not be lowered just because it's meant for the garden or the patio. That's why I look for stylish yet comfortable and high-quality pieces at fair prices.
Best garden furniture stores at a glance
- Best garden furniture store for expensive-looking pieces: Habitat at Argos
- Best garden furniture store for convenience: Amazon
- Best quick-delivery garden furniture store: Swyft
- Best budget garden furniture store: George Home at ASDA
- Best space-saving garden furniture store: La Redoute
- Best garden furniture store for fun, colourful pieces: Dunelm
- Best garden furniture store for stylish pieces: John Lewis
- Best garden furniture store for minimalist Scandi chic: IKEA
- Best garden furniture store for a wide selection: B&Q
- Best garden furniture store for reliable deals: Debenhams
- Best garden furniture store worthy of the indoors: King Living
- Best garden furniture store for chic bistro sets: Next
- Best garden furniture store for traditional classics: Wayfair
- Best garden furniture store for dining sets: Barker and Stonehouse
- Best garden furniture store for lounging sets: Kettler
- Best garden furniture store for high-end styles: Garden Trading
Where to buy garden furniture
1. Habitat at Argos
Why I recommend it: If you want to get garden furniture that looks high end but won’t cost you the big money that designer pieces would then Habitat at Argos would be among the first stores I’d sent you to. This brand is one of the first the whole Ideal Home office looks to for inspiration and top buys every year when retailers reveal their new outdoor furniture collection – from the best garden chairs to dining and lounge sets, Habitat does it all. And well!
What to buy: I was most impressed by Habitat’s innovative take on the egg chair which can at times feel a little old-fashioned in my opinion. But not the cool round-shaped Selene garden egg chair in rattan effect. From this year's newcomers, I was taken with the stylish and slightly vintage look of the Habitat Global accent chair and matching footstool. And lastly, the Habitat Indu garden bench is a customer-favourite for a reason – it's classic, affordable and it comes in bold colours as well as some more classic ones.
2. Amazon
Why I recommend it: Amazon has a wide selection of garden furniture from many different brands, from budget-friendly buys to high-end pieces from trusted outdoor furniture brands like Kettler. But, of course, one of the main reasons why we all love Amazon is the convenience – you can buy everything you need in one place from the comfort of your own home with guaranteed fast delivery. And the frequent garden furniture deals are another bonus.
What to buy: Amazon’s bestselling bistro set is the perfect bargain buy if you were to finally invest in one this year or need to replace an old one. And speaking of those regular great deals you can score on Amazon, the string-style Goa bistro set is super chic and will inject some colour into your outdoor space, it comes in five different colourways.
3. John Lewis
Why I recommend it: John Lewis is a retailer that brings style to many different price categories, as well as departments including garden furniture – from its budget ANYDAY range to the main offering that mostly sits in the mid range and then its stocked brands, some of which come with designer price points.
What to buy: While John Lewis stocks various brands of garden furniture including the likes of Kettler, I love its own brand offering the most, to be honest. The one piece I can’t stop thinking about since is the Marcy garden chair which is probably the most comfortable garden chair I’ve ever sat on – and this year, it comes in new colourways, too! The Lozenge outdoor sofa, inspired by the popular John Lewis Lozenge sofa for the interior, has been one of my favourite outdoor sofas since last year. And there is plenty more to shop for, including new additions to the garden furniture range like the innovative Sahara set that looks convincingly like wood, but it's actually aluminium with wood effect.
4. Swyft
Why I recommend it: This year, Swyft, one of my favourite sofa brands, launched its first ever garden furniture range. I find the design and comfort levels of the brand’s sofas really good and I have no doubt that the design team translated and used their expertise when creating the outdoor collection. As expected, the style of the garden furniture is super chic and just like the sofas, you can have it delivered within 24 hours.
What to buy: I have yet to try the range IRL but customers are already going wild for Swyft’s on-trend striped garden furniture, the Garden Sofa Set 03. I’m also a big fan of the cult favourite HAY Palissade outdoor furniture, available at Holloways of Ludlow – but since its price point is quite steep, I’m always on the lookout for more affordable alternatives. And Swyft’s Garden Dining Set 01 is the perfect lookalike in my opinion.
5. Dunelm
Why I recommend it: Dunelm’s outdoor furniture range is very broad but what I love going to this brand for are fun, statement, colourful pieces - since colourful garden furniture is trending - which there are many of. Especially since Dunelm's partnered with Sophie Robinson for an extensive collection of homeware and furniture which spans a few garden designs, too.
What to buy: The multicoloured Santorini egg chairs (available in two different colourways) were going viral last year and are back for this al fresco season. As already mentioned, Sophie Robinson’s designed a collection for Dunelm which includes a couple of garden chairs – I'm particularly a fan of this Pavilion chair. But it's the brand new Amazonia conversation set that really took me by surprise as it's not in classic Dunelm style but I love the elevated bohemian look of it.
6. B&Q
Why I recommend it: If you’re looking for volume, you will find it at B&Q. The retailer stocks thousands of garden furniture pieces from a wide array of brands. GoodHome’s and Beliani’s products tend to be among my top picks as I find them to be the most stylish but if your aesthetic preferences differ from mine, you are still sure to find something to your liking at B&Q.
What to buy: The B&Q wicker and steel bistro set with swivel chairs, as well as the egg chair from GoodHome are among my top picks because they look so much more expensive than they are. B&Q really knows how to do rattan and wicker tastefully as my next pick is the Elos coffee set made with synthetic rattan which looks like a designer piece.
7. La Redoute
Why I recommend it: I had the pleasure of visiting the La Redoute HQ in France earlier this year which meant I’ve seen some of the brand’s outdoor furniture in person – otherwise a difficult feat since La Redoute has no physical stores in the UK. Just like the brand’s homewares, La Redoute’s garden furniture boasts an elevated look which looks so much more expensive than it is. And if you’re looking for space-saving outdoor pieces, whether it’s for a balcony or for small garden ideas, La Redoute has got you covered.
What to buy: La Redoute’s space-saving designs are at the top of my list of recommendations. While some of the styles are making a return from last year, the Jaja extendable table is a newcomer. I love the pop of colour paired with the wooden tabletop, and there are matching chairs available too. But if you’re after something for a larger outdoor dining space, I recommend something as stylish as the Douve garden dining table which can seat up to eight people. The brand also has the latest garden furniture trends covered – table tiling is having a major moment this year as seen on the Dendi ceramic garden side table.
8. Wayfair
Why I recommend it: Wayfair is a great place to shop for furniture in general, especially if you’re looking for good deals, a wide range of pieces to choose from by many different brands. Wayfair is more of a marketplace, not dissimilar from Amazon, through which all these different companies sell their products – including a varied offering of garden furniture. And several members of the Ideal Home team have ordered outdoor furniture from the site and are happy with the pieces.
What to buy: Even though Wayfair offers a wide range of garden furniture, I find it most useful for some of the more traditional, classic garden furniture designs – be it the best garden benches, adirondack chairs or bistro sets like the Harbour Housewares Sussex bistro set for under £100, available in a variety of fun and stylish colours. But you can also find real unexpected gems on Wayfair – one of which is the chic 17 Stories Samekia lounge set in trendy green which is among the most expensive-looking Wayfair garden furniture available.
9. George Home at ASDA
Why I recommend it: If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck then George Home’s garden furniture is your best bet. And unlike the outdoor pieces from most supermarkets or budget brands, George Home actually has some products that are very comparable to designer lookalikes.
What to buy: We all love the John Lewis Marcy chair (and the matching sofa) very much at the Ideal Home office. But last year, it sold out before some of the members of the team could invest. So having learnt from the experience, I'm always on the lookout for alternatives. And George Home's Tuscany bistro set doesn't only look alike, it's also more affordable. George Home has gone all out on the striped garden furniture trend this year, also including the Riviera patio set and the now-sold-out Riviera garden bench. And if you like sling garden furniture then the George Home striped metal lounge chair is going to be right up your alley, too.
10. Debenhams
Why I recommend it: The Debenhams website and its garden furniture offering can be a little overwhelming at first, just because of the sheer volume of products available. But it’s a great place to browse and find true gems – especially in terms of price as there are deals and sales on very regularly. So look out for those!
What to buy: Debenhams is the perfect place to find reasonably priced classics like your hanging egg chairs – Debenhams’ egg chairs are even rivalling those from Lidl, including the OHS hanging egg chair. But it’s also a great place to look if you love a more spenny design elsewhere to see whether Debenhams has a similar-looking but more affordable alternative – Ideal Home’s Digital Deputy Editor, Rebecca Knight found a budget Debenhams lookalike for a John Lewis outdoor sofa, for example.
11. IKEA
Why I recommend it: Who doesn’t love IKEA furniture and all the IKEA hacks that it creates potential for? I sure do! And while IKEA also offers very basic, budget-friendly outdoor furniture too, I prefer the brand’s more stylish pieces that give way to its signature Scandi aesthetic. But you will have to spend a little bit more on those compared to your standard BILLY bookcases and KALLAX units.
What to buy: Ideal Home's Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young, owns the IKEA HAVSTEN sling outdoor sofa which I, too, really like – but since it's not the cheapest, I've been trying to find a more affordable alternative for. But sticking to the minimalist Scandinavian style, the SKOGSÖN outdoor chair in powder-coated steel with a perforated design is a new favourite, as is the KROKHOLMEN outdoor coffee table which already boasts 10 five-star reviews on the website.
12. Next
Why I recommend it: Next is another great destination for shopping garden furniture from various brands as it stocks everything from the super chic (and Soho Home-esque) MADE to Cox & Cox. But its own brand offering should not be overlooked as there are some hidden gems in there if you ask me – especially if you’re after an expensive-looking bistro or a dining set.
What to buy: As soon as I saw the clean, angular design of the Abel lounge set, complete with the chair rattan inserts, I knew that would be the star buy for me. Especially as the table can be raised for dining! But if you’re after something a little more relaxed, the Sorrento bistro set looks designer and like it costs more than its £499 price tag, while the Alvor chair is bringing the swivel trend to the garden space this year.
13. Barker and Stonehouse
Why I recommend it: Barker and Stonehouse's outdoor furniture collection is extensive, and I'm yet to see a piece of furniture on the brand's website that I wouldn't be happy to have in my garden. It's also a particularly good place to shop garden dining tables - which can often be a tricky piece of outdoor furniture to source - as well as offering a huge range of garden sofas and lounge sets.
What to buy: If you're looking for both chic and sustainable garden pieces that look more expensive than they're price tag, Barker and Stonehouse is the place. Starting with the Tavira dining set which is not only stylish, but it’s also made with FSC-certified acacia wood. I don’t know about you but I love the look of tiled coffee tables and I think they look particularly great in the garden or on a patio. But their one downside is that they tend to be quite pricey. But not the ones from Barker and Stonehouse like the beautiful terracotta-coloured Rico design. And if you want to make a true statement while lounging in your garden, opt for the womb-like Branca wicker day bed.
14. King Living
Why I recommend it: I’ve professed my love for King Living sofas a few times before as my own modular sofa - the 1977 model - is from the Australian brand. But King Living also makes outdoor furniture which is very similar - in some cases exactly the same - as its offering for the home. In my recent conversation with Kelly Hoppen, the interior designer’s main advice for outdoor decorating was to treat the space as part of your home rather than create a separation between the style of the indoors and outdoors. And going for a King Living garden seating idea will help you do just that.
What to buy: Of course, I’m going to recommend the 1977 outdoor sofa as I love the living room version of the design. And just like the original, this one too is modular and beautifully curved. As already mentioned, garden swivel chairs are trending this year and the Aura swivel outdoor lounge chair with an elevated shape makes for the perfect investment, as does the Zaza outdoor sofa with ergonomically shaped armrests.
15. Kettler
Why I recommend it: As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve mentioned Kettler a couple of times throughout this shopping guide a couple of times already. And that’s because it’s a high-quality brand that focuses on great garden furniture design and is stocked by several different retailers, from Amazon to John Lewis. The latter is where I was able to try several of this brand’s designs IRL and I was impressed by the comfort levels and quality of pretty much all of them.
What to buy: Lounge and dining sets are where it’s at when it comes to Kettler. New this season, I tested the Meadow lounge set at John Lewis earlier this year and was impressed with the comfort levels and the chic shape of the seating. The Cora collection is another one of my favourites from Kettler. Made with FSC-certified acacia wood and rope detailing on the seating like the Cora garden sofa, it’s a comfortable and super stylish design. And if you're after modern-looking outdoor dining furniture, I couldn't recommend the Lando dining set enough with the unusually curved shape of the dining chairs made with acacia wood, even though it's quite the investment.
16. Garden Trading
Why I recommend it: If you have a little more cash to invest into your outdoor furniture then Garden Trading has plenty of swoon-worthy pieces that are designed to create a focal point on the patio. There are plenty of spacious outdoor sofas and large outdoor dining tables and chairs to choose from, as well as some great smaller space options such as classic metal bistro sets and space-saving outdoor bars.
What to buy: Garden Trading’s pieces are mostly made with natural materials like wood, rattan and metal which is another reason for choosing this brand. The Rive Droite bistro set available in a variety of colourways to complement your decor has been a firm Ideal Home favourite for a couple of years now. But for me, it’s pieces like the Coate sofa set that perfectly encapsulates the brand’s aesthetic and identity, being made with teak wood which is the most durable and weather-resistant types of garden furniture woods.
How I picked the best places to buy garden furniture
To put this guide to shopping for garden furniture together, I've visited as many press previews presenting garden furniture, as well as outdoor furniture stores as I possibly could and tried out countless garden chairs, sofas, dining and lounge sets. In some instances, I've relied on the experience of some of the other Ideal Home team members and what they had to say.
As some brands don't have physical stores or sometimes they don't have enough space to display their garden furniture range, I had to rely on their websites and a mix of the brands' reputation, existing customer reviews and my previous experience with some of their pieces. To find out more about how we test products at Ideal Home, you can have a read through this more detailed explainer.
How to choose the best garden furniture
If you're wondering how to choose your outdoor furniture for your space you'll first want to think about how you intend to use your outdoor area; do you want to entertain large numbers of guests, create a family-friendly garden, or create a space to relax and unwind amongst nature in relative solitude?
And, if space is at a premium then options that fold away can help you to maximise your square footage, with collapsible bistro sets offering a smart and versatile solution. Or you might just want to add a stylish egg chair, a couple of statement garden chairs or a garden bench. Our small garden ideas hold plenty of small space inspiration.
Once you've decided on the type of garden furniture layout that will work best for your lifestyle, it's time to consider the materials that outdoor furniture is made from to ensure a durable investment.
'Researching the best materials for garden furniture is essential when transforming your outdoor space,' says Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman. 'Think of your garden furniture as an investment piece and ensure you’re selecting materials that can withstand the elements and look their best for years to come.'
FAQs
What is the lowest maintenance outdoor furniture material?
PE-rattan or polyrattan garden furniture is generally considered to be the lowest maintenance garden furniture. This is because the upper is made from a polyurethane plastic that has the benefit of being lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant, and requires no regular upkeep other than a brush down to remove winter debris.
Look for PE-rattan garden furniture with an aluminium frame, as, unlike a powder-coated steel frame, aluminium is rust-resistant so can be left outside all year round without any upkeep or storage needs.
What garden furniture does not rust?
Unlike powder-coated steel, which is prone to rusting at joints and anywhere where the coating has become chipped, aluminium-framed garden furniture is naturally rust-resistant.
For this reason, aluminium garden furniture can be left outside all year round making it a super low-maintenance option (although some manufacturers will still recommend sheltering it from the worst of the elements to prolong its lifespan even further).
However, this does mean that aluminium-based outdoor furniture tends to be more expensive than a powder-coated steel alternative. The added durability can make it the better value investment longer term though.
How do you clean garden furniture?
As well as utilising one of the best patio cleaners alongside one of the best pressure washers to rid your outside space of any winter grime and algae, giving your outdoor furniture a quick clean will instantly transform your patio ready for spring. Our guide to how to clean garden furniture has all the top tips you'll need.