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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Abha Shah

Best aluminium garden furniture for all year round

When the sun shines, there's no better place to soak up the rays than the garden.

If you're lucky enough to have outside space, no matter how small, it serves as a private paradise for sunbathing, BBQs and general summertime lounging. 

If it's lounging that's on the agenda, the most crucial piece of kit will be finding the right set of outdoor furniture. Size is the most important thing - no point fantasising over plush corner sofas when you’re working with a slim patio - followed closed by construction type.

The materials that your outdoor furniture is made from will dictate how it ages and ultimately how long it lasts before you need to find a replacement. With the UK's infamously temperamental weather, aluminium pieces will fare better than wicker and wood in the long run.

Why choose aluminium for outdoor furniture?

Unlike iron and steel, aluminium does not rust - one of the key draws of buying furniture made with an aluminium frame. It won't fade or discolour from sun exposure or warp in the rain (like timber might) and it's lightweight too, making it easier to drag around to the garden's changing sunspots. It may be lightweight, but it's also quite sturdy, so won't get pushed around in moderate winds and can bear heavy weights, meaning there's little worry if all your mates want to try out your new garden sofa at once. 

The other major pro? It requires almost zero maintenance. No varnishing or oiling. Storing aluminium in the shed over winter or using furniture covers when it's not in use is about it.

What is powder coating and its benefits?

Used to create a hardwearing finish that will last longer than paint alone, you’ll notice powder-coated frames often on aluminium garden furniture descriptions. It's done for aesthetics and to protect against everyday wear and tear, but it also acts as an extra barrier against rust, protecting the metal against possible future deterioration.

If you’re looking for a stylish garden set to spend all summer in, we’ve rounded up the best options below.

From full seating set-ups and sun loungers to sweet bistro dining sets to tuck away in the smallest of corners, scroll on to find your next piece of aluminium garden furniture.

Shop now

John Lewis Marlow Aluminium 4 Seater Garden Lounge Set, Black/Grey

Seating up to seven, this set will have you rushing outside to eat every meal throughout the summer. Comfy, hassle-free seating is achieved through the corner L-shaped sofa, table and two stools complete with thick seat pads and back cushions.

The frame is made from weather-resistant aluminium so it's lightweight yet resilient. But the best bit? It’s got to be the tabletop fire pit. Powered by gas, it’s perfect for taking the chill off cooler nights and toasting sweet treats like marshmallows. Guests will love it.

Buy now £999.00, John Lewis

Oak Furniture House Nova Dark Grey Frame Aluminium Corner Sofa Set

Make the most of your outside space and the summer sun (when it arrives) on Oak Furniture House's corner sofa set. The four-piece bundle is made from aluminium and includes an armchair and two nesting tables. There is also a sofa that is finished with padded cushions in a dark grey hue. Sturdy and long-lasting, it promises to turn your garden into a second living room.

Buy now £2499.99, Oak Furniture House

Dunelm Babingley 5 Seater Lounge Set with Adjustable Table

A garden set that can handle whatever the British summer throws at it is a sound investment. Enter Dunelm's Babingley solution.

A complete lounging set with a three-seater sofa, two armchairs and a height-adjustable table, the whole design is made with powder-coated slatted aluminium, with seating topped with shower-resistant cushions that will cope with the occasional shower. Made with curved corners to prevent annoying and painful snagging, the seat backs can recline for extra comfort.

Buy now £2999.00, Dunelm

Moda Furnishings Adderley Sofa & Armchairs Set

Aluminium gets a lighter, brighter makeover in this Adderley set. Painted cream, the curved and angled frame is also finished with rope detailing on the armrests of the chairs and sofa. A matching oval-shaped coffee table completes the picture, making an inviting setting for any garden. The cushions are water-resistant too, meaning it's perfect for the UK's transient summer weather.

Buy now £999.00, Moda Furnishings

Dunelm Barbados Rattan Square Corner Seating Set

Forget waiting months for your new garden set to arrive; Dunelm can get this faux rattan-effect Barbados look delivered in just a few days - good news if you want to make the most of weekend sunshine or you're holding a garden party.

The corner sofa set is perfect for gatherings, able to seat up to eight of your favourite faces on a mix of sofa sections and padded stools around a ceramic-topped table. It'll look good all summer and beyond thanks to UV protection and everything sits on a high-quality powder-coated aluminium frame to ward off rust.

Buy now £1999.00, Dunelm

Moda Furnishings Ellis Rope Lounger

Looking plucked straight from a country spa retreat, Moda Furnishings' sunlounger makes a persuasive case for spending sunny weekends in the garden. Durable aluminium is the starting point, serving as the foundation for navy-coloured water-resistant cushions on which to recline. Sunbathing, as we all know, is thirsty work so this lounger comes with a matching side table to keep hydration by your side.

Buy now £449.00, Moda Furnishings

Happy Cocooning Rectangular Fire Pit with Burner and Glass Screen, White Aluminium

Whether summer 2024 delivers high temperatures remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure - the temperature always drops after sundown. Keep the party going for longer by forward thinking and putting this contemporary firepit on order. A sleek white aluminium frame protects the electronic ignition and glass flame enclosure with a cover also included to keep it covered when not in use.

Buy now £1599.00, Dunelm

Dunelm Elements Rope Lounger

When summer gets its act together, there's no place like home. While the capital bursts into a collective smile at the first hint of 20-something degrees, being crammed into your local square of green isn't the best place to enjoy it.

Retreat instead to your garden paradise, where this rope-wrapped sun lounger for one could be waiting. Cushions made from recycled polyester adorn the aluminium frame, creating a chilled space to unwind. Assembly is blissfully easy - simply screw on the four legs and you're ready for R&R.

Buy now £249.00, Dunelm

Habitat Ipanema 4-Seater Metal Garden Sofa Set - Yellow

Weather looking a bit iffy? Manifest sun with help from Habitat's garden seating set, which is not only painted in bright yellow but is called Ipanema too (a part of the world that's not short of sunshine).

Comprised of an aluminium framed two-seater sofa and matching chairs with two round tables, there are plenty of ways to arrange the set in your space. Ideal for smaller gardens, it'll be your hero when BBQ season gets into full swing.

Buy now £220.00, Argos

Outsunny 6-Piece Aluminium Garden Furniture Set with gas fire pit

Seating up to seven, this set will have you rushing outside to eat every meal throughout the summer. Comfy, hassle-free seating is achieved through the corner L-shaped sofa, table and two stools complete with thick seat pads and back cushions.

The frame is made from weather-resistant aluminium so it's lightweight yet resilient. The best bit? It has to be the tabletop fire pit, perfect for taking the chill off cooler nights and toasting sweet treats like marshmallows.

Buy now £1099.99, Amazon

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