How to buy the best garden furniture

Whether you want garden furniture for extravagant outdoor entertaining or a simply set of loungers to create a relaxing private oasis, our buying guide will help you find and maintain the best outdoor furnishings.

We run through the main garden furniture types and accessories, where to buy them from and how to care for them so you don’t need to buy replacements year after year.

Plus, we've got tips on how to upgrade your space with second-hand garden furniture.

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Types of garden furniture

Making sure you choose the right material for your garden furniture is vital. Below, we run through four common types, listing the pros and cons for each option.

Rattan garden furniture

• Pros: Strong and durable, attractive, comes in a variety of styles and colours
• Cons: Not heavy enough to withstand strong winds, natural wicker isn't weatherproof, can be expensive

There are two types of rattan – natural and synthetic. Both offer a woven style effect that looks great in a variety of colours and suits all types of spaces.

While natural wicker rattan is strong and looks great, it’s not weather resistant, so the majority of outdoor options will be made from synthetic polyethylene resin.

High-quality resin is extremely weatherproof which makes it great for garden furniture all year round – and it will be cheaper than natural options. But if you live in an area where you regularly get strong winds, you might need a storage area as resin rattan is light and could blow over.

If your heart's set on natural wicker, make sure you have somewhere to store it when it’s not being used so it doesn’t get damaged.

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Wooden garden furniture

• Pros: Durable, sturdy, doesn't retain heat, looks natural, can be painted or stained in different colours
• Cons: Expensive, will need annual maintenance 

Wood is a great option if you have a natural theme. Choose the right type and it will be a sturdy and durable addition to your garden.

Softwoods, such as pine and cedar, cost less but are more suited to indoor furnishings – and need constant protection from the elements.

More expensive hardwoods, such as teak and eucalyptus, will last a long time. If treated with oil and stain annually, they should weather naturally.

Discover our expert recommendations covering garden tools and accessories, from robot lawn mowers to garden gloves.

Metal garden furniture

• Pros: Durable, low maintenance, great for smaller spaces
• Cons: Gets hot on sunny days, you might need to buy cushions separately

If you’re looking for something that’s low maintenance and durable, metal could be for you.

It’s sturdy and weatherproof (look for a rust-resistant set) and can be left outside all year round. However, most will come with cushions that need to be stored away when it’s wet or cold. You’ll also need to be careful not to burn yourself on the metal in hot weather.

Lots of sets are minimalist in design, while some will be foldable – that's great news if you have a smaller garden or balcony.

Plastic garden furniture

• Pros: Budget options, stackable sets, weather resistant, low maintenance, minimal assembly
• Cons: Not eco-friendly, other materials are more durable

Plastic garden furniture is great if you’re on a budget and it usually comes assembled. You’ll find lots of different styles and shapes at low costs, although they might not be as sturdy as other materials.

Plastic is weather resistant so you shouldn’t need to store your furniture away in the winter. However, extreme heat can sometimes make it warp.

If you’re short on space, try to choose a set that's stackable to make stowing away easier.

If you're looking for something to lie in on when it's sunny, see our expert guide on how to buy the best sun loungers and outdoor seating.

Cheap garden furniture

The cheapest garden furniture will typically be made from plastic, steel, aluminium and softwoods, such as pine. You can pick up a basic two-seater dining set for as little as £30.

Sets made from cheaper materials such as plastic are great if you want to save money, but it won’t be as durable as pricier hardwood or rattan options – nor is it eco-friendly. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, you’ll need to spend a little more – Argos, Ikea and the Range are among the most popular retailers selling garden furniture.

Alternatively, you could try looking for quality second-hand sets on sites such as eBay and Gumtree.

Where to buy garden furniture

Garden furniture is available to buy from a range of high street and online retailers, garden centres and supermarkets. Wherever you shop, make sure you pay attention to the returns policy.

Popular retailers that stock garden furniture include:

• Aldi typically sells a selection of bistro sets, loungers and sofas in spring and summer.
• Argos sells patio sets, sun loungers, rugs, accessories and more. Same or next day delivery is available, or you may be able to Click & Collect smaller items in-store for free.
• B&M has an extensive online collection of patio and sofa sets, chairs, benches and hammocks. 
• B&Q stocks rattan, metal, wooden and plastic garden furniture as well as accessories, barbecues and parasols. I
• George at Asda has a selection of chairs to finish off your garden. For some items, free Click & Collect may be available from Asda stores, otherwise you'll need to pay for delivery.
• Homebase sells everything from garden sofas to dining table sets and gazebos. Homebase products are guaranteed against manufacturing defects for a year.
• Ikea supplies a full range of garden furniture. It could be worth a visit if you want to deck out your garden but keep costs low.
• John Lewis sells both its own-brand garden furniture and a range of other brands, such as Kettler, Barlow Tyrie and LG Outdoor.
• The Range offers thousands of garden furniture products, from chairs and tables to recliners and covers. 

See which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our guide on the best and worst shops. For more details on arranging refunds for faulty products, see our online shopping advice

Second-hand garden furniture

If you're looking to spruce up your garden but don't want to fork out a small fortune, or you want to turn the furniture you have into a tidy profit, second-hand could be right for you.

Second-hand buying also stops more unwanted garden furniture going to waste in landfill, so it's good for the planet as well as your wallet.

You can buy and sell patio furniture online (try eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle or Gumtree) or at second-hand stores. Depending on the size and quantity of the furniture, you might want to call ahead to the store you're looking to sell at to ensure they have an appropriate amount of space and are willing to take it.

Safety is key when buying second-hand to ensure you avoid getting scammed. Some good tips to keep in mind when shopping for garden furniture on e-marketplaces are:

• Look to see if the seller has sold products before and if they have good reviews.
• If it's too good to be true, it probably is – be wary of expensive items being listed very cheaply.
• Check the images and reverse-search images if you think they could be fraudulent. 
• See if the marketplace offers any type of buyer protection.
• Think carefully about how you want to pay – different payment methods come with different protections, though these may not apply when buying privately.

Alternatively, if you want to shop more eco-consciously, some retailers sell garden furniture such as full dining sets, benches and tables made from recycled plastic or other materials. These recycled plastic patio pieces tend to be very durable and long-lasting, plus they help keep plastic out of landfill and the environment.

For more information on safely shopping second-hand and the top marketplaces to look out for, head to our guide on the best and worst places to shop second-hand online

Caring for your garden furniture

Keep your garden furniture in tip-top condition and avoid having to replace it every year by following our maintenance advice below.

Rattan garden furniture

Natural wicker furniture ideally shouldn’t be left outside. But if it is, you’ll need to clean the grooves regularly with a brush, keep it covered and store it away when it’s not in use. And even if you follow all these steps, there’s still a chance it will get damaged.

Synthetic rattan is much easier, though. It can be left outside all year round, but if possible, store it away or keep it covered in extreme weather conditions. It doesn’t need any specific maintenance, but regularly cleaning it down with soapy water will keep it looking fresh.

Avoid sitting on the arms of chairs, and wash and store away any accompanying cushions.

Wooden garden furniture

Softwoods will need to be washed down with a wood-cleaning product once a year before being treated with a stain or paint.

Hardwoods need a wash each year with soapy water, but they will weather naturally. However, if you prefer your furniture to stay looking new, you can use an oil or a stain on these, too. Don’t paint hardwood though as the oil content will make the paint dry unevenly.

Ideally, you should keep your wooden furniture covered in cold or wet weather.

Metal garden furniture

Most metal garden furniture will already come with a protective sealant that prevents rusting so all you should need to do is clean it with soapy water every now and then.

If you notice the sealant bubbling or cracking, you can always buff it down and cover it with a fresh slick of protective treatment. Keeping it out of the elements will also help prolong its life.

Plastic garden furniture

Plastic is one of the easiest furniture types to care for. All you need do is wash the grime off with warm, soapy water. White plastics can start to go a little yellow with time. To freshen it up, you could wash it with an abrasive solution.

In extreme heat, some plastics may also warp so you might want to store them in the shade when it’s sunny.

Sprucing up your outdoor space? A lick of paint goes a long way - see our pick of the best decking paint and decking stain

Garden furniture accessories

We run through the most popular types of garden accessories and how to care for them.

Garden furniture covers

Garden furniture covers come in various ready-made shapes and sizes – or you can go for a bespoke option. 

Your first step should always be to measure the furniture, so you get a cover that fits it properly. For example, when measuring a garden table, you should push all the chairs under the table tightly before using a tape measure to find the length, width and height.  

Next, you’ll need to choose the type of protection you need. Most people should go for a waterproof option, but you can also find covers that protect from UV rays, too. 

Parasols and bases

There are two types of parasols: a traditional parasol and a freestanding cantilever parasol.

Traditional parasols stand upwards and typically go through a hole in the middle of a table. Cantilever parasols are freestanding, with a curved arm that hovers over your furniture. They can also normally be manoeuvred into different positions.

Some shops also do parasols that attach to an outdoor wall. These are great if you’re short on space.

A base is what keeps the parasol stable and on the ground. Some parasols will come with a base, but in most cases you’ll need to buy one separately. Your base weight will all depend on the size and type of your parasol. For example, a traditional parasol of around 2m will need a base weight of at least 15kg. But a 4m cantilever parasol will need a 50kg base. Check with the supplier for the recommended base weight.

Always make sure your parasol is tightly screwed to the base, and take it down and store in a safe place during high winds. If your parasol gets wet, let it dry out completely before folding it down.

Garden furniture cushions

Cushions should not only look good, but also provide comfort and stability when relaxing outside.

Make sure they are the correct size for your furniture – cushions that slip around or don’t cover the entire seat won’t make for a relaxing experience. Cushion ties are a great, easy way to stop cushions from moving around.

Most cushions are best off being taken inside in cold or wet weather to avoid mould and mildew. Ensuring cushions are kept under shade during the summer will prevent fading.

You can also opt for fabrics that are waterproof and resistant to fading. Sunbrella fabric is well known for its protective benefits but can be very expensive.

The filling is also important. Polyester fill is cheap but will flatten over time and won’t provide comfort long-term. Foam is slightly better but will also depend on the density – the higher the density, the better.

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