Where to buy garden lounge sets for relaxing outside in style – these are my 8 favourite places to shop, from budget to luxury

This time of year is the prime time to invest in new garden furniture – it’s just before the al fresco season of outdoor hosting, dining, and lounging truly begins (as the weather doesn’t quite permit for it just yet), with the Easter break just ahead of us, many brands have sales on and the stock levels are still looking healthy. If you’re looking to lounge and relax in style, this is where to buy the best garden lounge sets.

In the months leading up to spring, I spend a lot of time trying out new outdoor furniture that brands are introducing that year. Based on this - as well as research into materials, the brands themselves, customer reviews and taking the Ideal Home team’s experience into account, too - I make my judgements on what’s the best garden furniture available on the market.

And as one might expect, a large portion of the garden furniture ideas I test and come across are indeed outdoor lounge sets – because who doesn’t want a comfortable spot in the garden dedicated to lounging and relaxing (hopefully) in the sun?!

So with that in mind, these are my top recommended places to shop for lounge sets, from budget-friendly retailers to high-end brands.

1. George Home

If you’re looking for maximum style on a minimum budget then George Home at ASDA is the place to go. The brand’s garden furniture is excellent considering the low price points, which includes its garden lounge sets.

The Tuscany set is a great budget alternative to IKEA’s HAVSTEN outdoor sofa or even the Marcy garden chairs and sofas from John Lewis. And it’s so popular that it sold out in a matter of a few weeks when it first dropped on the site last year. The modular Santorini set is another one of my top recommendations as it can be reconfigured however you want or need, which includes the coffee table which can be separated into two side tables.

2. Swyft

This year, Swyft, known mostly for its quick-delivery sofas and sofa beds, launched its first foray into garden furniture, which can also be yours within 24 hours. And customers are already falling head over heels for the stylish designs, as am I.

The top seller - and my personal favourite piece from the range - is the Garden Sofa Set 03 which champions the striped garden furniture trend. But I’m also taken with the Garden Sofa Set 01, available in a beautiful olive green (my top pick) and a neutral taupe shade, which is the perfect, more affordable alternative for the cult favourite HAY Palissade garden furniture, available at Holloways of Ludlow.

3. Kettler

Kettler is a brand that largely specialises in outdoor furniture and because it’s the company’s focus, they’re really good at it. You can purchase Kettler outdoor furniture directly from Kettler’s site but the brand’s designs are also stocked at other retailers including John Lewis and Next, if that’s easier for you.

My current favourite from Kettler is the Meadow lounge set which I’ve tried in person at John Lewis. I was really impressed with how comfortable it was and how stylish and midcentury the shape of the chairs looked. And the green shade of the cushions goes really well with the stain of the acacia wood. The Cora collection is a firm classic that I’ve been recommending since last for its chic rope detailing and acacia wood frame. And this range also includes the 5-seat lounge set.

4. John Lewis

I’m a big fan of John Lewis’ garden furniture and the retailer manages to impress me with its new designs each year. The only downside is that they tend to sell out of the best pieces quite early on – the Marcy lounge set is already out of stock, for example. But there are still some great pieces available, however, I’m not sure for how much longer.

My top pick would be the new John Lewis Sahara modular lounge set which features an aluminium frame with a wood-effect finish. Or, in keeping with the striped garden furniture trend, the Marlow lounge set is also super chic, even though a little bit more formal in style perhaps. And it’s also made from aluminium which is the most durable type of outdoor furniture.

5. Barker and Stonehouse

Barker and Stonehouse is my go-to place for garden lounge sets that look designer but won’t cost you an arm and a leg. While the brand’s garden furniture is not exactly ‘cheap’, the products look more expensive than their mid-range price tags, and the brand runs sales on a regular basis, including right now.

I’m obsessed with the unusual rope detailing on the eucalyptus wood frame of the Trezzone garden lounge set, while the clean lines of the Tignale set look really elevated and Mediterranean.

6. Atkin & Thyme

If you’re craving colour in your outdoor space, Atkin & Thyme has got you covered with its range of garden furniture. While the offering is quite varied, it’s the metal lounge sets in vibrant shades of terracotta and green that I keep coming back for. And what’s even better is that they’re all made from powder-coated aluminium which, as I’ve already mentioned, is incredibly durable and rust-resistant.

I’m particularly taken with the Olivia lounge set in bright terracotta and the Lauren set in olive green, both of which also feature rope detailing on the seating for extra intrigue. And the Olivia set even comes with a set of nesting tables which is very clever and not very common when it comes to outdoor furniture. And if you use code EARLY15 at checkout, you can bag these with a 15% discount.

7. Cox & Cox

I’m not usually a big fan of faux rattan and the material does get a bit of a bad rep for not being very aesthetically pleasing or tasteful. But it is practical and weather-resistant – so if you’re after a faux rattan lounge set, I’d recommend Cox & Cox above all others. The brand reimagines the material in chic and unexpected shapes and patterns as seen on the Borgund set that I can fully get behind.

But Cox & Cox does wooden garden furniture very well, too, whether that’s acacia or eucalyptus wood – both of which are approved by experts as good choices for an outdoor furniture material. And all of it is currently on offer with 25% off if you use code FURNITURE25 at checkout.

8. Neptune

If you have a bigger budget to spend on your outdoor lounge set, I can’t recommend Neptune’s offering enough. Last year, I fell in love with the brand’s outdoor sofa from the Longmeadow range which is back this year – and it also features a four-seater lounge set. Much like Cox & Cox, Neptune is also very good at making faux wicker look expensive and even real. I will never stop being impressed by the intricate pattern seen on all the pieces from the Longmeadow collection.

But Neptune does lots of different materials really well. That includes teak wood, considered the very best wood for outdoor furniture, as seen in the minimalist lines of the Kew lounge set. Or you can opt for the very decorative and stylish galvanised steel of the Cheltenham set adorned with Regency metalwork-inspired curved detailing. And the brand is currently running an offer which saves you £200 on every £1000 you spend on garden furniture.

Which garden lounge set do you have your eye on for your own outdoor space?