It might not feel like it right now, but spring/summer 2022 is just around the corner - and that means it’s time to start thinking about the best garden furniture to create a stylish and serene outdoor retreat.
The trend for outdoor living continues to grow, with many of us looking to our gardens, patios and balconies as spaces to relax and unwind as well as entertain. Selecting the right furniture is key, and flexible pieces offer an easy way to switch up outdoor areas dependent on changing needs.
Whether you need mobile, modular, compact or grandiose designs, we’ve rounded up a host of beautiful pieces that are the perfect mix of form and function - for every size and budget.
Jonny Brierley, CEO of Moda Furnishings, says: “In 2022, we will see the rise in popularity of outdoor dining tables and dining sets. As the past year has taught us the importance of making the most of our outside space and the number of people looking for gardens has increased, we have all come to realise there’s nothing more enjoyable than sitting round the table with family and friends. With the rise in demand for outdoor kitchens and fire pits, alfresco dining can now be enjoyed all year round.”
From firepits to rising tables, sofa sets, lounge set, bistro sets and outdoor dining sets, there’s a style for everyone to enjoy in our best garden furniture roundup below.
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Dining Tables and Sets
Indoor outdoor chevron dining table
Seats: 4
Materials: Acacia wood, steel
This mid-sized outdoor dining table is ideal for intimate garden get-togethers and lunch al fresco. With its contemporary chevron-print top and steel legs and frame, it’s the perfect mix of rustic and modern industrial, and will serve up a slice of cool - along with all those mouthwatering barbecues - that will ensure a long list of repeat guests and memories made.
Buy now £412.50, Cox & Cox
Trewithian table and bench set
Seats: 4
Materials: Teak, aluminium
Small-space gardens, patios, and urban courtyards will get a contemporary style injection with this modern outdoor dining table and bench set. Garden furniture should be a mix of pretty and practical, and this has the perfect blend. Crafted with a durable slatted teak top and aluminium frame, it’s good-looking too.
Buy now £1100.00, Garden Trading
Pembrey dining table
Seats: Up to 8 people
Materials: Teak
Ideal for a contemporary or country setting, this teak outdoor dining table is a suits-all piece of garden furniture. Gather your friends and family, whack on the barbecue, break out the bubbles and celebrate the beauty of the English summertime in style. Rebecca, Product Director at Neptune, says: “For many of us, investing in timeless garden designs that won’t go out of style is now the focus.” We’d say they’ve nailed it with this piece.
Buy now £1915.00, Neptune
Freemans June metal dining table
Seats: 4
Materials: Steel
Pep up your patio with June. She has a contemporary look and loves game-playing and entertaining friends. Create the ideal spot in a petite garden where you can read the papers while sipping your morning cuppa, or relax with a glass of wine while watching the sunset.
There’s a handy umbrella hole in the middle if you’d like to keep the midday heat off your jug of Pimm’s, and the table is also weather-resistant and easy to wipe clean. A fab budget buy that doesn’t compromise on style.
Buy now £199.00, Freemans
Rust Collections Woburn outdoor concrete dining table
Seats: 6-10
Materials: Polished concrete, steel
Who needs to jet off to the Mediterranean when you can bring its cool vibes to your own garden? This gorgeous outdoor concrete dining table oozes relaxed, contemporary chic, and is just the ticket for stylish garden parties or intimate family dinners. An investment that will last for years, it’s weather and stain-resistant and is sealed with an easy wipe-clean finish.
The beauty of this high-performance, real polished concrete is that, not only does it look on-trend yet timeless, it’s formed over a lightweight core, so is lighter than solid concrete and can be moved if needed.
Bonus? You can order the frame in any colour you like, and there’s also a number of different styles of frame to choose from. Looks like cocktail o’clock to us…
Buy now £2300.00, Rust Collections
Bistro Sets
Rive Droite bistro set in green
Going green is very 2022 - in all senses of the word. Used as a colour on garden furniture, it’s soothing and tranquil, and will fit seamlessly into your outdoor space. This stylish and sleek bistro set has a touch of chic vintage French style about it, and folds neatly away when not in use, ideal for bijou balconies or petite patios. Très chic, non?
Buy now £195.00, Graham & Green
Amara Outdoors balcony set
If it’s versatility you’re looking for, this garden furniture set was made for you. The rattan-style piece (it’s actually crafted from durable PE wicker and aluminium) not only looks on-trend, but is pretty nifty too. It transforms from a compact bench to a table and two separate seats for when you fancy drinks or dinner à deux. Snuggle up and pop that cork.
Buy now £202.50, Amara
Linea bistro set
Looking to up the comfy factor on your bistro set? If you don’t need - or don’t have space for - a full sofa set, this option from Cox & Cox is a great meet-in-the-middle choice. The woven faux rope armchairs boast super-soft cushions, making them a prime position for enjoying a sundowner (or two!). The chairs come with a round slatted table in the same acacia wood as the chair frame. Just don’t forget the corkscrew…
Buy now £521.25, Cox & Cox
Broseley round 2-person bistro set
“Your living space doesn’t have to be confined within four walls; claim your outdoor space and turn it into an extension of your home,” says Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill. “2022 is the time to go big and go bold! Maximalism is key for adding year-round warmth to our gardens and balconies no matter what the weather. Bright colours, clashing prints and cheerful décor add splashes of personality that will keep you out long after the sun sets. Snuggle up in vibrant textiles, set the mood with cosy lighting and share a drink by the fire.”
This sky-blue bistro set is the perfect nod to the bold trend, and will brighten up any space. Crafted with weather-resistant polyrattan weave and powder coated aluminium, it’s a practical purchase that will also bring a smile to your face. Inspired by a traditional Mexican design, it’s got maximalists style in spades.
Buy now £389.99, Wayfair
Sundso bistro set
Got a beautiful balcony you want to make the most of? IKEA’s Sundso table and chairs set is ideal - it folds away when not in use, and is coated with a wipe-clean finish that doesn’t require maintenance. Add the striped Sommaflader tablecloth to create a stunning al fresco dining scene on a small scale. Pretty, huh?
Buy now £85.00, IKEA
Sun Loungers and Seating
Zeda acacia sun lounger
If you’ve ever dreamed of kicking back on the deck of your own cabin or lodge, this acacia wood sun lounger will transport you there. Not only does it look chic (we love the back rest’s style reference to an Adirondack chair), it’s also durable, with acacia being resistant to insects and fungus, as well as weather-resistant. Bring your favourite book out with you and what more do you need? Maybe a cocktail waiter, but we can dream.
Buy now £195.00, La Redoute
Cream canvas hanging chair
Proof, if it were needed, that garden furniture and seating doesn’t have to break the bank. This canvas hanging chair will add a boho feel to any outdoor space (love that fringing), and is an oh-so-inviting spot to curl up with a good book, soak up the sun, or enjoy a revitalising snooze under a blue sky. Those comfy cushions do look super-cosy.
Buy now £39.00, George Home
Cotswold Co Clapton chair and footstool set
Add a pared-back yet ultra-chic Scandi-style sun-soaking hotspot to your garden with this bleached acacia wood and rattan weave lounge chair and footstool. The synthetic weave mimics the look of rattan but is durable to suit the outdoor life; it’s also a super-comfy perch for your posterior.
Kick back and put your feet up, or use the footstool as a coffee (or cocktail) table as you need. The only problem? You might have to share it with your other half on the odd occasion - if you’re feeling really generous.
Buy now £345.00, Cotswold Co
Rose + Grey Nest hanging rattan chair
If you like your hanging chair with a Scandi twist, this rattan version will be right up your style street. Add a blanket and some soft cushions and you’ve got yourself a rather snazzy and cosy little nook for summer. You’ll just need to ask someone in the house very nicely when you get hungry or thirsty (it’s ok to WhatsApp order drinks, right?).
Buy now £395.00, Rose + Grey
Freemans Naples grey teardrop hanging chair
Who doesn’t love a cosy hanging chair? Even better, one with a built-in cushion seat and soft headrest. This weather-resistant option might just become your second home this summer as you while away the hours reading and catching a cheeky forty winks.
Just to make things even handier, the cushions are removable for when you want to store them inside during winter. You’ll definitely be hanging out in style (sorry).
Buy now £479.00, Freemans
Novaro egg chair
Like your garden furniture on terra firma? This stylish egg chair is a great alternative to a hanging chair. The polyrattan weave is waterproof, the steel frames are corrosion-resistant, and the grey cushions are outdoor-friendly making this sweet spot comfy and considered. Get ready to cocoon in here for most of summer. W82 x D77 x H147cm.
Buy now £249.00, ASDA
Sofa Sets
Habitat Samoa modular corner sofa set
We all know what the great British weather can be like, but the clever designers at Habitat have come up with a novel idea to protect you from any strong breezes - a chic outdoor sofa set with a built-in wood panelling for protection. As well as keeping windy weather at bay, it also make a great spot to pretty up with hanging plants.
Andrew Tanner, Design Manager at Habitat, says: “With its flexible modular design, this set can be extended to accommodate more guests or reduced for a more intimate space. Its tall, slatted walls help create an ambient outdoor sanctuary, allowing for trailing foliage and festoon lighting, whilst the eucalyptus wood enriches any space, contemporary or traditional.”
Buy now £1500.00, Argos
Kirch Metal 5-person sofa set
Whether you fancy a solo snooze or a budge-up Prosecco-popping party, this garden sofa set has got you covered. It comes in three pieces - two seaters and a corner seat - that can be kept separate or pushed together, depending on the configuration needed. What’s more, it’s got two handy integrated side tables for all your essentials - from sunglasses to sangria. Let the good times roll.
Buy now £1619.99, Wayfair
Frampton 6-piece lounge set
Big brood? Lots of friends? Consummate entertainer? You’ll be making a worthy investment with this stylish grey garden sofa set. Not only is the colour on-point, it also offers versatile socialising and dining options, as the height of the accompanying table can be adjusted to suit anything from a relaxed morning coffee to a bustling evening supper. Ideal for large spaces and balmy summer night bashes.
Buy now £2295.00, Cotswold Co
Habitat 5-seater rattan effect corner sofa set
If you budget is on the slimmer side (but your garden isn’t), this grey rattan-effect garden sofa set could be just the ticket. Habitat has a great range of good-quality garden furniture at agreeable prices for 2022, and is a must-visit for anyone who needs to keep an eye on the bank balance while still showcasing stylish homewares.
There’s two side stools, a corner sofa seat with a recliner for ultra-laidback relaxing, and a glass-topped coffee table with a drawer for all your outdoor garden party essentials (bottle opener, anyone?). We also love the design-led style notes, including a trendy grey hue and splayed legs for a mid-century modern vibe.
Buy now £550.00, Argos
Black Novaro 4-piece sofa set
Petite outdoor spaces and smaller gardens can still accommodate sofa sets - just on a more compact scale. This lounge set from George Home manages to blend the pretty and the practical perfectly - its black frame offers a cool industrial edge and is corrosion-resistant, while the polyrattan weave is also waterproof. Pull up a pew.
Buy now £699.00, George Home
Habitat 4-seater bamboo effect dining set
Another fab smaller-space option is this bamboo-effect lounge set, which boasts a high-end feel with a high street price tag. The four-seater set comes with a glass-topped coffee table for all your summer snacks and tipples. Its laidback luxe without any overspend.
If you were looking for a larger set with a similar aesthetic, the Habitat Malta 6-seater dining set is another great option.
Buy now £400.00, Argos
Garden Accessories
Connie outdoor two-tier umbrella
Shield yourself against the high summer sun’s rays with this super-stylish striped two-tier garden umbrella. It will add a jolt of colour to your garden along with a dash of chic yet fun Palm Springs style. It looks fab paired with a colourful outdoor dining set or to simply pop over your sun lounger or bistro set. It’s definitely got us California dreamin’…
Buy now £169.00, Amazon
Ablington lantern vase
There’s nothing cosier than candlelight, so why not take it outside with these beautiful brass lanterns? Simply pop in a pillar candle, wrap up with a blanket, and create an ambient space to enjoy the starry night sky. The brass-trimmed lanterns will also inject a little slice of glamour to your outdoor sanctuary, too. Time to snuggle up in the great outdoors…
Available in two sizes.
Buy now £25.00, Garden Trading
Malmo outdoor storage cabinet
Fed up of running back and forth to the kitchen to grab something you’ve forgotten your outdoor soiree? We hear you. This outdoor storage shelving cabinet is the answer to all your party problems. Stack everything you need inside the unit before your guests arrived so you can be cool, calm, collected and present. Think plates, tumblers, wine glasses, or even a Champagne bucket - there’s ample space for all your goodies.
The stone top is ideal for prepping food, displaying pretty plants or flowers, or placing a jug of Pimm’s; there’s two drawers for utensils and cutlery; and two shelves for pots and plates.
Buy now £243.75, Cox & Cox
Foscot fire pit
After the sun goes down, keep things cosy by gathering around a fire pit, which will emit warmth as well as a convivial atmosphere. It’s a way to keep the outdoor party going late into the evening, or extend that precious family time by toasting marshmallows in the garden. Crafted with raw steel, this cool fire pit comes in three sizes, and will develop a beautiful rusty patina over time. You garden styling is really starting to heat up now.
Buy now £175.00, Idyll Home
Contorno outdoor cushion
An easy way to inject pattern and colour into your outdoor space is by adding cushions. Oka has a gorgeous range of printed and striped options that will pretty-up your garden furniture as well as making it that bit more comfortable and lounge-friendly. Available in a range of colours, from gorgeous green to popping orange. Aaaannd relax.
Buy now £95.00, Oka
Verdict
Habitat’s grey rattan-effect sofa set is a fantastic buy, both budget and style-wise. It’s the perfect blend of form and function, offering the option to recline when seeking solace in the sun, or to gather round with friends and family for sociable garden get-togethers - all at a purse-pleasing price. And the neutral hues will fit in seamlessly at any type of home.
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