Summertime and the living is easy - and even easier if you have the right garden furniture from which to soak up all those golden rays.
No matter how large your outside space, there are ways to make it more comfortable and transform your garden into another usable room of the house.
From outdoor dining sets to tuck into alfresco meals and day beds that will give your space a private resort club vibe, to compact bistro sets that you can perch on with the papers on the weekend, there are plenty of outdoor furniture options to help you get the most out of your backyard this summer.
In terms of trends, the windsock is blowing in favour of organic shapes and materials to extend the feeling of nature. Think terracotta, rattan, wicker with a minimal Scandi-cool edge. Luxe metals such as brass and copper paired with marble or granite offer an elevated way to create a calming oasis while sustainability continues to reign supreme.
Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in. We’ve got plenty of roundups and ideas on kitting out your space, from cheap and cheerful lights and pillows to higher spend buys that will make your garden your favourite place to be.
Check out our Outdoor Furniture section to find it all, including BBQs and pizza ovens; because what’s British Summer Time without a juicy morsel, hot off the grill?
Because a lot of outdoor furniture takes weeks for delivery (around 6 - 8 weeks in some cases), now is the perfect time to get your orders through. With any luck, they’ll arrive just as temperatures start to climb for the season.
See our top picks below
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Rattan Direct Rattan Garden Day Bed Sofa Set in Chocolate and Cream
A sectional sofa for outdoors allows you to configure the pieces to best suit your space and the occasion. You can turn Rattan Direct’s set from a U-shaped sofa to a giant daybed or separate them and put a coffee table inbetween for a casual conversation pit. As well as the bases, the set comes with said coffee table with a tempered glass top, free scatter cushions and a free set of outdoor covers to keep it protected against bad weather.
Buy now £1349.00, Rattan Direct
Dakota Fields Wallach Metal 5 - Person Seating Group with Cushions
For four to five months of the year, it’s a no-go zone but when spring, summer and early autumn hit, that’s when your garden can be used as a viable living space. For those with patio or decking, we like this lounge-style set, which can seat up to five of your favourite people. Comprising two arm chairs and a three-seater sofa complemented with durable, weatherproof cushions, the set is completed with a low coffee table for all-important drinks and snacks.
Buy now £779.99, Wayfair
Habitat Dove Rattan Effect Hanging Egg Chair - Natural
Last year, it was nigh-on impossible to get your hands on a hanging egg chair, despite seemingly being sold everywhere. Don’t make the same mistake for summer 2023; get your hands on one early and spare yourself the disappointment. This model from Habitat gives the comfort and lazy appeal of a hammock paired with the security and cosiness of an armchair. Perch it in a sun-dappled corner and watch guests fight over who gets to sit in it first.
Buy now £300.00, Argos
Sol 27 Outdoor Aaraf Sol 72 Outdoor with Solid Wood Outer Material
Your very own home bar inspired by the tropics - every hour is destined to be a happy one with this set ready to go in your garden. The steel frame bar comes with a set of stools, all wrapped in rattan to make it feel and look natural in an outdoor setting. The durable piece promises to steal the show at every BBQ and garden party you throw from now until October. Requires self-assembly.
Buy now £385.99, Wayfair
Outsunny 6 Seater Round Rattan Sofa with Canopy Black
Made for luxe entertaining and opulent solo-lounging, this generous monochrome PE rattan sofa set cleverly slides together to form one massive daybed or pulls apart when you’ve got guests over to provide adequate seating. It’s perfect for the outdoors with powder-coated and rust-resistant steel to help it weather wear and tear. The cushion covers are machine washable and there’s a built-in canopy to protect you and it from wind, rain and shine. If you’ve the space to spare, you’ll love it.
Buy now £470.00, Wilko
Penguin Home Decorative Double Sided Square Cushion Covers
Elevate the comfort levels of your outdoor furniture with these cosy but stylish cushion covers that have a range of modern, geometric designs. They are offered in a versatile grey hue that should fit just about any design scheme but also come in blue, pink, yellow, black, coral or multicoloured to suit your preference.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Habitat Betal Rattan 2 Seater Sofa - Natural
Offering a sculptural aesthetic as well as a pretty perch, this Habitat Betal sofa is the perfect spot to curl up for a well-deserved snooze under a light blanket. Made from 100 per cent rattan, the organic textures and shapes will fit in well with all kinds of gardens, whether it’s perfectly maintained or a little on the wild side.
Buy now £800.00, Argos
Set Of 3 Statement Gold Hammered Planters
With a ornate feel, these plant pots can be displayed either indoors or out to add instant glamour to your space. The set of three come in a large, medium and small variety measuring 15.5x14.5x14.5cm, 27x28x28cm and 17.5x20x20cm respectively.
Buy now £65.00, Joe Browns
Hashtag Home Uriel 2.7m Traditional Parasol
Size: 2.7m
Best for: understated glamour
Offered in a choice of pale green, grey and cream, bring Bali-style elegance to your outdoor space with this option from Hashtag Home. Operate it easily with the crank lift and tilt mechanism, and bask in the compliments rolling in from the design, which includes a peaked top and beaded drops fringing for a touch of glamour. Base not included.
Buy now £142.99, Wayfair
Charles Bentley Natural Wicker Bistro Set
Turbo charge your small space with a sophisticated bistro set, like this design crafted by expert Charles Bentley. Made from natural wicker and finished with a cushion pad to make things more comfortable, the two-seater set offers a chic and relatively inexpensive way to get your garden seating up to scratch. It does require construction, so dust the DIY kit down - at least you’ll have a lovely spot to sit once you’re finished.
Buy now £184.99, Robert Dyas
Streetwize Abstract Flower Outdoor Cushion - Pack Of 4
Give your outdoor space a playfully arty vibe with the help of these multi-coloured outdoor cushions from design maestro Habitat. Made with a 100 per cent polyester cover over a polyester filling, it’s an easy way to spike your garden with bright bursts of colour.
Buy now £40.00, Habitat
Moda Furnishings Talia 2V Extended Corner Sofa and Dining Set with Footstool
Seats: 10
Fancy a bit of theatre with your dinner? Head to Moda Furnishings, where you can pick up this dramatic dining set from the Talia collection, complete with an integrated fire pit to keep you toasty on chillier nights.
The set includes a smart six-seater sofa, a matching bench and a footstool, giving you greater lounging settings. You can get 10 of your favourite faces around the ceramic glass top table, and there’s no need to get in a bother if the heavens open - the cushions are wrapped in 100 per cent weatherproof fabric.
Buy now £4025.00, Moda Furnishings
unho Wood Plant Stand
Create a thriving herb and vegetable garden with the help of this asymmetrical ladder that can house a variety of pots and planters for all your tomato, chilli, lavender, or mint growing needs. Ensure they stand out at pride of place with the six shelves provided. The entire structure measures at L116 x W29 x H10cm.
Buy now £39.99, ManoMano
Wingback Cane Style Rattan Bistro Set
Create a cosy al fresco dining experience with these 70s-inspired cane chairs. There are two in the set and they come complete with a table too that has a glass top. The hard-wearing construction comes from the PE rattan material and the black steel legs that brings a contemporary takes on the retro feel. Chic.
Buy now £249.99, Von Haus
Argos Home Rope Cube 8 Seater Patio Set
Seats: 8
A compact option is ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. There’s no need to miss out on weekend brunch in a garden setting thanks to Argos which offers this eight-seater dining set. When packed away, it measures just 110 x 110 x 75cm, somewhat of a magic trick when you consider it holds four stools and four chairs under the square table.
Buy now £382.00, Argos
Connie Outdoor 2 Tier Tilt Umbrella
Size: 1.6m Best for: Garden party shelter
Thought Ryan was just for office stationery? Think again! The store offers a surprising number of homewares online, including this pretty two-tiered parasol that comes with a scallop trim. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, garden parties or shade for the little ones as they play outside in the heat, the device offers a two direction tilt mechanism and a crank handle for quick set-up. Weighs 6kg.
Buy now £139.99, Ryman
VonHaus 4 Seater Faux-Wood Garden Table & Bench Set
Seats: 4
Made for small families or groups, this four seater dining bench set with a matching table is a blank canvas that you can dress up or down as the occasion suits. If you’re looking at all that wood and mentally sighing at the hours of maintenance it’ll require, think again. Both table and benches are finished with a synthetic faux-wood material, resulting in a luxurious effect without continuous care. What’s more, both benches tuck neatly under the table, allowing you to reclaim your space when you’re not using it. Tidy.
Buy now £329.99, VonHaus
Jonathan Adler Eden Outdoor Cushion
Create your own personal paradise with soft furnishings from leading interior guru Jonathan Adler. Lauded for his playful designs, this washable outdoor cushion plucks inspiration from the original backyard, the Garden of Eden, with a geo-print serpent lazily snaking his way around a bright orange backdrop.
Buy now £88.00, Jonathan Adler
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 £249.00, Cotswold Co
George Home at ASDA 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 £549.00, George Home
IKEA 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 £105.00, IKEA
Henley - Reclining Bistro Set with Side Table
The beauty of this bistro set is its versatility. There’s a higher table for al fresco meals putting your BBQ feast within easy reach. It’s topped with a glass panel to make cleaning easy. The chairs recline and there’s foot rests too for unmatched lounging. Perfection.
Buy now £1025.00, Moda Furnishings
JaraTerracotta Planter Stand
For outdoor spaces of all sizes, this is a handy way to pack more plants into your exterior and transform it into a tranquil colourful oasis. Fill the terracotta pots with blooms in bold hues to add a statement pop or a range of succulents depending on your aesthetic. The durable iron stand houses three rows of attractive aged pots that are fitted with draining holes.
Buy now £95.00, Nkuku
Astoria Grand Base Bird Baths
If you’re looking to create a romantic, fairylike ambiance in your outdoor space, this bird bath may just be the finishing touch you have been hunting for. It has an antique-inspired design with intricate detailing.
Buy now £32.99, Wayfair
20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights
Lighting is crucial in setting the tone for your evening summer festivities where these festival-worthy bulbs give you a warm white glow. They illuminate automatically with a built-in sensor and are powered through a solar panel. There are eight settings that include a flash, chase or static illumination.
Buy now £29.99, Lights4Fun
