Choosing The Best Garden Furniture for Your Home in 2024
Now that warmer days have finally arrived after what feels like a never-ending winter, creating an inviting outdoor retreat is a top priority for many homeowners. Garden furniture is increasingly becoming essential, fuelled by the nation's love of gardening. It's no surprise that stylish and functional pieces are in high demand.
As we increasingly treat our gardens as another room in our homes, creating the perfect outdoor living space—with the best UK garden furniture, like seating, lights and accessories—is just as important as having blossoming flower beds and a beautiful lawn. Throw open the garden doors and crack open a glass of rosé with our best garden furniture picks, perfect for creating an Instagrammable space for longer days and al fresco nights.
Types of garden furniture
Garden sofa sets
Merano Large Corner Group Set with Coffee Table in Latte - £3,799
No garden is complete without a garden sofa. Perfect for lounging and socialising with family and friends, an outdoor sofa provides the ultimate comfort for relaxing days and evenings outdoors.
Garden sofa sets come in various styles, sizes and materials, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Ideal for larger patios or garden areas, they can create a cosy, indoor-like atmosphere. They often include weather-resistant cushions and modular designs that can be arranged to suit any space.
Garden dining sets
Luna 6 Seat Outdoor Fabric Oval Ceramic Dining Set in Grey - £2,349
Garden dining sets are essential for anyone who loves al fresco dining, offering a stylish and practical outdoor spot for family meals and sunset date night dinners. From elegant glass tables to rustic wooden and rattan designs, dining sets come in various sizes and materials, making them one of the best garden furniture sets for any garden aesthetic and space.
Bistro sets
Quay Lounge Set In Linen - £849
If you have a smaller garden, patio or balcony, or simply want to create a cosy garden corner, a bistro set may be for you. Compact and charming, a bistro set typically consists of a small table and two chairs, creating an intimate setting that's perfect for a morning coffee or an intimate lunch.
Fire pit dining sets
Cloverly 8 Seat Rectangular Teak Firepit Dining Set in Latte - £3,399
Firepit dining sets provide a 3-in-1, combining the ambience and warmth of a fire pit with the functionality of a dining table to create a unique outdoor experience. Perfect for cooler evenings, a fire pit dining table goes a long way in allowing you to enjoy your garden during chillier summer nights and cooler months. It’s also a guaranteed head-turner, providing a stunning focal point for gatherings in one elegant and aesthetically pleasing package.
Loungers & daybeds
Luna Outdoor Fabric Double Sun Lounger in Oyster Grey - £1,599
Reclining loungers and daybeds aren’t just for holiday resorts and exotic villas. They’re among the best garden furniture sets for providing the ultimate outdoor relaxation, perfect for sunbathing, reading or taking a well-deserved nap. Designed for comfort and spending summer in style, they often come with adjustable features, with thick padded cushions or as complete sets with parasols and side tables.
Ideal for poolside areas or tranquil garden spots, these pieces instantly transform your garden into a luxurious retreat. All you need to do is sit back and relax—and maybe grab yourself a delicious mocktail while you’re at it.
Best garden furniture materials
Rattan
Santiago 8 Seat Rattan Oval Firepit Dining Set in Grey - £2,999
Lightweight, stylish and resistant to the elements, rattan furniture is ideal for outdoor use and elegant to boot. However, rattan furniture typically requires more frequent maintenance than other materials. It can fade with prolonged sun exposure, and extreme weather conditions can result in woven strands unweaving and fraying.
Best practices for maintenance: Clean your rattan regularly with a mild soap solution, a soft cloth and a brush. Store indoors or use protective covers during harsh weather to extend its lifespan and avoid placing it in direct sunlight for prolonged periods to prevent fading.
Metal
Vienna Corner Group Set in Latte - £3,799.00
Metal furniture, particularly aluminium and iron, is sturdy and durable, making it a reliable garden option. Aluminium tends to be more rust-resistant, while iron offers more weight and stability for windy weather. There’s also something for everyone when it comes to design, from sleek and minimal aluminium furniture to more intricate and romantic Victorian iron designs. However, it’s important to note that iron can rust if not properly treated and maintained.
Best practices for maintenance: Avoid using abrasive materials and clean with mild soap and plenty of warm water. Rinse down to remove the soap and leave it to dry before protecting aluminium furniture with a good quality polish or wax.
For iron, apply rust-resistant coatings and touch up any scratches. Store or cover your furniture during wet seasons to prevent rusting, and regularly check for and treat any signs of corrosion.
Wood
Quay Corner Dining Set with Armchair in Linen - £2,549
Quay 6 Seat Round Dining Set in Linen - £1,749
Wooden garden furniture exudes a classic elegance that's hard to beat. It is beautiful in gardens with traditional designs and has a natural look that’s authentic in a garden setting. High-quality wooden garden furniture, such as teak and eucalyptus, can also be extremely durable but requires frequent treatment and more maintenance than other materials, like aluminium.
Best practices for maintenance: Clean with mild soap and water. Sand and oil the wood periodically to maintain its appearance and protect against the elements. Cover or store your furniture indoors during extreme weather and during wet seasons to prevent damage and prolong the wood’s life.
Plastic/polypropylene
Plastic and polypropylene furniture is lightweight, affordable and resistant to weather and moisture. The downside? It can lack the aesthetic appeal of natural materials and become brittle over time.
Best practices for maintenance: Wash with soapy water and a soft cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals that can damage and degrade the material. Store your furniture indoors or use covers to protect it from sun exposure.
Best garden furniture for different garden sizes and styles
Small gardens
Panama Corner Unit/Footstool in Latte - £649.00
Small gardens require space-saving furniture ideas like foldable chairs and compact bistro sets to make the most of limited space. Choose multi-functional pieces like benches with storage or extendable tables, which will maximise utility without compromising on style.
Explore our small garden ideas blog for more tips on making the most of a limited outdoor space with 2024’s best garden furniture.
Large gardens
Luna U-Shape Outdoor Fabric Corner Dining with Rising Firepit Table in Oyster Grey - £5,749
Large garden sets and large gardens go together hand in hand. Not only do they help you fill out the space to make your garden look less bare, but they also help create and define different zones.
Consider dividing your garden into dining, lounging and entertainment areas with corner sofas, large dining tables and hanging chairs. Statement pieces like a fire pit or pergola can create a focal point and add more structure to your garden, making it functional and inviting.
Courtyard gardens
Paia 3 Seat Sofa Set in Linen - £1,749
Sleek bistro sets, compact lounge chairs and space-efficient dining are best suited for compact but charming courtyards. Choose minimal aluminium furniture for a contemporary feel, or play up the traditional charm of your courtyard with elegant wooden or Victorian cast iron furniture. Add cushions and blankets for comfort and a pop of colour alongside a beautiful outdoor rug for extra cosiness.
Discover more inspiration with our courtyard garden ideas guide.
Modern garden designs
Luna U-Shape Outdoor Fabric Corner Dining with Rising Table in Grey - £5,249
If modern styles are more your thing, choose sleek and contemporary furniture options like minimalist metal sets in a chrome finish, modular sofas and fire pit dining sets that wow. Think Scandinavian minimalism and choose pieces with clean lines in neutral tones and weather-proof materials to achieve a sophisticated, uncluttered look.
Modern lighting like solar lanterns and ribbed planters create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and enhance the overall aesthetic. For even more inspiration, read our creative garden ideas guide.
Traditional garden designs
Quay 6 Seat Rectangular Dining Set in Linen - £1,649
Traditional garden designs often feature elegant curves and arches, elements such as statues and water features, classic plants, paths and seating areas. Timeless furniture styles like wooden benches, wrought iron dining sets and sophisticated rattan pieces are perfect for injecting elegance into your outdoor space.
Choose pieces with intricate details and warm, natural finishes to complement your greenery and floral elements. Adding vintage accessories and cosy textiles can take the charming aesthetic to the next level.
Best budget-friendly garden furniture options
Affordable sets
Kalama 4 Seat Round Dining Set with Teak Table in Latte - £1,299
Thanks to affordable garden furniture sets, creating a beautiful outdoor space no longer has to break the bank. Cost-effective yet stylish options like modern plastic sets, compact side and coffee tables and versatile folding chairs offer durability and aesthetics without the hefty price tag.
You can also mix and match affordable cushions and accessories to add a personal touch. Check out our budget transformation blog for more tips on creating a chic garden on a budget.
Clearance sales
Bernini 6 Seat Round Dining with Teak Table in Light Grey (Ex Display) - £3,369
Look out for deals and discounts, especially those found in clearance sales and seasonal promotions, to find the best bargains and significantly lower the cost of garden furniture. Sign up for newsletters on the Harbour Lifestyle homepage and follow their social media channels, like their Instagram and TikTok, to stay updated on the latest offers. Harbour Lifestyle frequently offers fantastic deals, like the current Summer sale, providing premium pieces at reduced prices.
Check out Harbour Lifestyle’s website and enjoy up to 35% off selected garden furniture to create your dream garden for less.
What is the best garden furniture to buy? Tips for choosing the best garden furniture
Choosing the right garden furniture can transform your outdoor space into a seamless extension of your home. Making the right decision that ensures your garden is both beautiful and functional depends on factors such as furniture quality and style.
Consider the layout and size of your garden
Choose furniture that comfortably fits within the dimensions of your garden without overcrowding it. Ideally, you want to leave enough space to move around and easily carry out other garden activities. Compact sets work well in smaller areas, while larger gardens can accommodate bigger furniture sets to fill the space and create and define different garden zones.
Think about materials and maintenance
As we’ve seen, each material has varying degrees of durability and upkeep. For example, lightweight rattan is extremely stylish but requires protection from the elements and can fade quickly. Metal is sturdier but needs protection against rust to keep it in tip-top shape.
Wooden furniture can last for years but requires frequent treatment using either a water- or solvent-based wood preservative stain or paint.
Match your furniture to your garden’s aesthetic
For a unified look that ensures your furniture belongs in your garden, choose outdoor pieces that complement its general style and theme. Modern designs call for sleek, minimalist pieces, while traditional gardens benefit from classic wooden or ornate metal styles.
Consider where to splurge and where to save
Balance your spending by investing in premium key pieces like dining tables or loungers and saving on accessories and smaller items. Spring and summer sales and budget-friendly sets can also help stretch your budget further.
Discover your perfect garden furniture with Harbour Lifestyle
With the best UK garden furniture, your outdoor space transforms into a stylish, relaxing extension of your home. By thinking about your layout, materials and design, you can select the best garden furniture to create a stylish and functional garden. Space-saving solutions are great for smaller gardens and patios, while impressive, larger sets are ideal for filling up and breathing life into more expansive outdoor spaces.
We’ve covered just about everything, from materials to maintenance tips and how to make the best choice. Now, it’s time for you to bring your vision to life. Explore Harbour Lifestyle’s wide range of premium, high-quality garden furniture designed to suit any outdoor space, no matter your style.
Visit our homepage to discover the perfect pieces to elevate your garden.
FAQs
What type of outdoor furniture lasts the longest?
Metal and wooden outdoor furniture, like aluminium and teak, are well known for their longevity thanks to their resistance to the elements. Teak garden furniture, in particular, can last anywhere from 30 to even 70 years if cared for properly. Regardless of the material, proper maintenance, like regularly cleaning and using protective treatment, can stretch the longevity of your outdoor furniture even further.
What is the most durable material for garden furniture?
Aluminium, synthetic resin and teak are some of the most durable garden furniture materials around. Teak wood offers natural weather resistance, while aluminium is rust-resistant, lightweight and requires minimal maintenance.
