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1. Designer-look
2. Rattan
3. Acapulco
4. Reclining
5. Egg chairs
6. Budget-friendly
7. Adirondack
How to choose
Looking for some new garden chairs to make the most of your outdoor space? Then you're in luck because the Ideal Home team has rounded up the best outdoor chairs on the market.
Whether you're looking for space-saving stackable outdoor dining chairs for alfresco entertaining or a comfortable outdoor armchair to relax in with a coffee, we've trawled the shops to find the most stylish, practical, and affordable options.
There are budget options from the likes of Homebase, B&Q, and Argos, and investment pieces from Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, and OKA, including timeless rattan garden chairs, contemporary Acapulco outdoor chairs, folding patio chairs, and much much more.
If you have a little more outdoor space to play with then make sure to check out our guide to the best garden furniture too, but, if it's outdoor seating that you're after, then these are the garden chairs you'll want to snap up early before they sell out.
The best garden chairs
Why you can trust Ideal Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Designer-look
Seats: 2 Size: H79 x W55 x D60cm Colour options: charcoal grey, pink Materials: polypropylene
This set of two chairs offers designer style for less. Available in two colour options, this stackable polypropylene design is low-maintenance, lightweight, quick to dry if it gets caught in the drizzle, and offers space-saving storage.
Seats: 1 Size: H84 x W57 x D47cm Colour options: white, green, grey, black Materials: polypropylene
A design classic, Kartell's Masters outdoor chair looks just as good inside as out, and will instantly elevate any patio with its iconic silhouette. Lightweight and stackable, it's a practical addition to the garden too.
Seats: 1 Size: H84.5 x W56 x D57.5cm Colour options: black Materials: resin and aluminium
Add some statement style with this sculptural butterfly-style outdoor dining chair. The all-black design is perfect paired with a bistro table, or used to complement a larger outdoor dining table.
Rattan garden chairs
Seats: 2 Size: H89 x W63 x D65cm Colour options: brown Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium
Offering a timeless look that blends well with a wide range of garden styles, this set of two garden armchairs is great value considering the low-maintenance PE-rattan uppers and rust and weather-resistant aluminium frames.
Seats: 2 Size: H89 x W63 x D60cm Colour options: natural, grey Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium
A little more investment will get you this set of two Dante garden armchairs. PE-rattan and aluminium frames make for great outdoor durability and there's a wide range of matching furniture in the Dante outdoor furniture collection.
Seats: 2 Size: H90 x W60 x D72cm Colour options: natural, grey Materials: PE-rattan and aluminium
A classic curved silhouette makes this set of two rattan armchairs the epitome of the 'English country garden'. Lightweight yet robustly built, each chair is tested to withstand 20 stone (127kg) which exceeds the industry standard.
Acapulco garden chairs
Seats: 1 Size: H75 x W82 x L72.5 cm Colour options: blue, green, grey, orange Materials: polyweave and powder-coated steel
If you only want a single Acapulco-style garden armchair, or you want to be able to mix and match colours, then this Homebase option is a good price point and comes in four fab colourways.
Seats: 2 Size: H81.5 x W72 x D69cm Colour options: dark grey, natural, terracotta, cobalt blue, olive green, teal Materials: polyweave and powder-coated steel
This set of two Acapulco chairs makes a good value buy, and there's a great selection of colours on offer, from neutrals to vibrant cobalt blue and muted greens.
Seats: 2 Size: H81.5 x W72 x D69cm Colour options: natural, damson, avocado Materials: polyweave and powder-coated steel
This set of two Salsa Acapulco chairs is complemented by John Lewis' Salsa outdoor furniture collection that includes a coffee table and bench seat in three different shades.
Reclining garden chairs
Seats: 1 Size: H110 x W66 x D89cm Colour options: grey, teal, yellow Materials: polyester and metal
Available in grey, yellow, or teal this super-affordable folding chair offers a lot of features at a very reasonable price. The multi-position recline function elevates the feet and legs to give a sensation of weightlessness, and it folds away neatly for space-saving storage.
Seats: 1 Size: H92 x W59 x D110cm Colour options: seven prints and patterns Materials: FSC-certified timber
This summer the timeless wooden deckchair has been given a modern update. Habitat's folding wooden deckchairs come in seven different designs featuring prints of characterful leopards, oversized spots, swirling florals, simple stripes, or plain neutrals.
Seats: 1 Size: H107 x W61 x D104cm Colour options: navy, beige, sage Materials: polyester and iron
The ultimate in outdoor lounging, this reclining chair offers three adjustable positions, a comfortable padded seat and backrest, and folds up for space-saving storage when it's not in use. There are also three colour options to choose from.
Garden egg chairs
Seats: 1 Size: H197 x W110 x D96cm Colour options: grey or black Materials: Powder-coated steel and PE-rattan
You can choose from the black or grey Jaye hanging egg chair, both of which offer stylish designs at reasonable price points. The removable cushions are included and although there's some self-assembly to do before you can sit pretty, customer reviews state the chair is robust and easy to set up.
Seats: 1 Size: H114 x W151 x D110cm Colour options: natural Materials: Powder-coated steel and PE-rattan
This bestselling rattan-effect egg chair from B&Q is complemented by a wide range of coordinating furniture in the brand's Apolima garden furniture collection. There's even a matching Apolima kid's egg chair for your mini-me to curl up in, which we think is pretty adorable.
Seats: 1 Size: H186 x W105 x D129cm Colour options: natural or black Materials: Powder-coated steel and PE-rattan
The archetypal hanging egg chair, this circular design will make a real statement in the garden or on the patio. Available in a natural or black colourway, it offers plump UV-resistant cushions and a rust-resistant base.
Budget-friendly garden chairs
Seats: 1 Size: H86 x W56 x D59cm Colour options: grey Materials: polyester and aluminium
If you need some outdoor dining chairs then it's hard to beat the price of this B&Q option – especially as it's made with a durable, lightweight and rust-resistant aluminium frame. The Textilene seat and back are quick-drying, and the stackable design allows for easy storage.
Seats: 2 Size: H94 x W55 x D75cm Colour options: grey Materials: polyester and steel
This set of two outdoor chairs is made from powder-coated steel rather than aluminium so you'll need to cover them or store them inside in winter months to prolong their lifespan, but they're contemporary in design, affordable, and stackable, which means you can easily clear your patio space when they're not in use.
Seats: 2 Size: H107 x W56.5 x D56cm Colour options: beige, grey, black Materials: polyester and aluminium
They are more expensive, but these practical folding chairs are still a great value buy. They're made from quick-drying Textilene fabric with durable, lightweight and rust-resistant aluminium frames and have nine-position adjustable backrests.
Adirondack garden chairs
Seats: 1 Size: H90 x W68.5 x D88cm Colour options: natural Materials: acacia wood
Designed in America back in 1903, the Adirondack chair has become something of a design classic. Perfect for lounging around the fire pit, this affordable acacia wood option from VonHaus features a distinctive fan backrest and reclined seat. The brand also offers a folding Adirondack chair if patio space is at a premium.
Seats: 1 Size: H98 x W69 x D89/94.5cm Colour options: natural, white, Prussian blue, terracotta, eucalyptus green Materials: acacia wood
This Adirondack chair is a contemporary take on the classic design, with the distinctive silhouette decked out in Prussian blue, terracotta red, white or eucalyptus green for a modern twist, as well as a natural acacia wood option.
Seats: 1 Size: H94cm x W74cm x D92cm Colour options: natural or grey Materials: acacia wood
Why settle for just laidback lounging when you could also add some therapeutic rocking motion into the mix? This acacia wood Adirondack rocking chair is ideal for gently swaying back and forth on a dreamy summer's day and it comes in two colour options. We defy you not to drift off to sleep when the weather is balmy...
How to choose an outdoor chair
One of the key things to consider when choosing an outdoor chair is the size of your garden or patio space.
If you have a compact patio then space-saving options like stackable outdoor dining chairs or folding garden chairs will allow you to expand the seating when you have guests over, and enable you to clear the decks for maximum outdoor floor space when they're not in use.
If you're blessed with more space to play with then a comfortable rattan garden armchair could be right up your street, or you could create a focal point by opting for a garden egg chair or grouping some Adirondack chairs around one of the best fire pits on the market
Next up, there are materials to consider. The most affordable garden furniture tends to be made of either powder-coated steel or polypropylene. However, paying a little more could get you more durable garden furniture that works out better value in the long run. We've broken down the main types of materials to consider below.
Polypropylene or plastic garden chairs have the benefit of being relatively low-cost, lightweight, and low maintenance, although they will generally need storing under cover to protect from hard frosts, and may fade under prolonged exposure to the sun. Plastic chairs tend to come in a range of bright and cheerful colours and favour contemporary designs.
Affordable metal garden chairs tend to be made from powder-coated steel. Steel is highly corrosive when it comes into contact with water, so it's protected from the outdoor elements by way of powder-coating the surface with a protective paint barrier. This means steel-based outdoor furniture can be prone to having weak points at joints and fixings where moisture can penetrate and gradually form rust, and any chips in the paint surface will need repairing promptly to maintain durability. For this reason, it's generally recommended that steel-based garden furniture is stored under cover during inclement weather.
Aluminium-framed garden chairs are by far the more durable option, as the metal itself forms a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating the surface. It may still be powder-coated, but this is purely for aesthetic reasons rather than protection. For this reason, aluminium garden furniture can be left outside all year round making it a super low-maintenance option. However, this does mean aluminium-based outdoor furniture tends to be by far the more expensive option. The added durability can make it the most cost-effective and better value investment long term though.
Rattan garden chairs offer a timeless look that blends with most garden styles. These days most modern 'rattan' garden furniture is made of PE-rattan or polyrattan, a polyurethane plastic that offers the benefits of being lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant, and low maintenance. Make sure to also check what metal the chair's frame is made from. As explained above, the best rattan garden furniture will have an aluminium frame. Rattan furniture with a powder-coated steel frame is likely to weather much faster than aluminium-framed rattan garden furniture and will therefore need storing under cover to prolong its lifespan. Aluminium-framed rattan furniture will prove more of an initial investment but can be left outside without risk of rusting and is more durable longterm.
How we compiled this guide
You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our How We Test page.
To compile this edit of the best garden chairs we walked multiple miles around multiple outdoor furniture showrooms and sat down on the job to test out bestselling designs. We also did plenty of online research to round up the most stylish designs and dived into the specifications to check out materials and construction. We also took into account third-party opinions via online reviews.
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