BST is here and it’s time to balance the last six months of being huddled indoors by staying outside until October.
Well, not quite, but you get the picture. Warmer temperatures and gloriously long evenings mean we can make the most of outdoor spaces, be it the beach, local park or if you’re lucky enough to have one, your garden.
For all-day lounging and general pottering, your garden is the jackpot. To really get the most out of it you’ll need a few creature comforts in place; first and foremost, the right seating.
Even those with small balconies can make their outside space an inviting place to be with the right al fresco sofa, sunlounger or bistro set.
And if you’ve been blessed with a big garden, you have the advantage of being able to style it like an extra living room - only with a BBQ instead of a TV. We’re talking corner units, u-shaped sofas wrapped around a firepit and decadent day beds complete with resort-style canopies to shield from strong sun and rain.
If your current set-up is looking a little shabby after six-months of winter, now’s the perfect time to upgrade and invest in the summer ahead. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor seating ideas, from viral hanging egg chairs and hammocks to luxurious dining sets, to help inspire or trigger your next purchase.
Every option on our list is made to weather the elements, so you needn’t worry about your brand new purchase being ruined at the first sight of a dark cloud. And all offer delivery right to your doorstep too - no wondering how to squeeze a new sofa set into a car boot.
Shop now and get ready for brighter days ahead
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Dunelm Double Egg Chair
What better way to relax outdoors than with your favourite person, swaying gently under a leafy tree? Well, that’s the ideal anyway. Dunelm gets you one step closer to summer garden perfection with this XL chair, which has enough space for two to lounge. The hanging egg design is made with powder coated steel and weather resistant rattan making it ideal for year-round use (just add a blanket when cooler weather strikes). Comes with a one-year guarantee.
Buy now £499.00, Dunelm
Habitat Samoa Wooden Single Seat Garden Chair-Natural
There’s backrests, and then there’s this single seater garden chair that takes things to another level. Ideal for sectioning larger gardens, creating a windbreaker or adding a statement piece to your space, the wooden FSC-certified bench makes an instant focal point. Dress it as you please, with plant hanging from the slats or solar fairy tales threaded through it. The light wood is also easy to paint if you’ve got a hue you love in mind.
Buy now £300.00, Argos
Cuckooland Unique Garden Wheel Bench
Fed up of feeling like you’re on a hamster wheel? Switch to an altogether leisurely version when the weekend arrives in this garden bench set inside a giant wheel. For those with grand designs on their outdoor space, this is a look that can’t fail to turn heads and gives you a place to sit and enjoy brunch with the papers in rain or shine.
Buy now £3999.00, Cuckooland
Dakota Fields Karl Garden Chair
Small and stocky, this could be the Danny DeVito of garden chairs. The bright wooden look feels like it’s been plucked from a Miami pool party, giving you the holiday vibe without setting foot beyond the garden gate. Built in a relaxed reclined position, it would benefit from a few cushions for added squish.
Buy now £219.99, Wayfair
La Redoute Bregnac Hammock
Transport yourself to LA without leaving your own garden with this Palm Springs-worthy outdoor hammock. The chic dark shade, the fringed tassels and the woven style ooze an easy breezy Bohemian chic. Grab a copy of ES Mag, whip up a martini, hop on, feet up, and you’ll be California Dreamin’ in no time…
Buy now £170.00, La Redoute
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
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 £405.00, Wilko
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 £379.00, Cotswold Co
Primrose Tortola Wooden Hammock with Stand
No mature trees to hang your hammock on? Worry not, as there’s a host of options that come equipped with their very own handy stand. This stylish number from Amazon is an elegant piece crafted with honey-hued larch wood and a cream canvas to stretch out on. It manages to be elegant while also being extra-strong, so it’s the perfect place to hang out à deux if that tickles your fancy.
Buy now £249.99, Primrose
The Range Selene Hanging Egg Chair
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 The Range 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 £349.99, The Range
Dunelm Padded Foldable Striped Lounger
We challenge you to spend more than a couple of minutes on this slice of monochrome marvellousness and not start drifting towards the land of nod. A thick, mattress-like cushion transforms it into one of the most comfortable loungers we’ve come across, and its sturdy steel frame strikes the perfect balance between lightness and rigidity. There are six positions to choose from, and its lightning-fast folding mechanism allows it to be quickly stashed into the smallest of spaces.
Buy now £35.00, Dunelm
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 £939.99, Wayfair
Primrose Living Luxury Rattan Recliner Bistro Set
The beauty of this bistro set is its versatility. There’s a higher table for al fresco meals putting your BBQ delight within easy reach. It’s topped with glass to make cleaning easy. The chairs recline and there’s foot rests too for unmatched lounging. Perfection.
Buy now £1499.99, Primrose Living
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 £219.99, Robert Dyas
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 £3915.00, Moda Furnishings
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 £580.00, Argos
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 £349.99, Von Haus
Charles Bentley FSC Eucalyptus Wooden Double Deck Chair
Want some wiggle room or just more space to lounge? This double deckchair as ample space and designed for two seaters - although we wouldn’t blame you for hogging it all to yourself.
The polyester teal-coloured fabric set on a wooden acacia frame promises to add a splash of colour to your oasis without being overbearing. Choose from three reclining positions, and if the weather turns, it will store flat in your shed, barely taking up any room.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
Moda Furnishings Bistro Stacking Set
Another great option for those short on space, this stacking set comprises two chairs and a low table, all of which can be stacked together to form a rather beautiful vase shape, allowing it to double as a bar table. We loved the ease of the whole process and brilliant design – we’ve lost count of the times we’ve almost sliced off a finger tidying away folding deckchairs and loungers. The different components lock into place incredibly sturdily, and the chairs’ dual-density foam provided a much greater level of comfort than we’d expected.
Buy now £895.00, Moda Furnishings
IKEA Sollerön Modular Corner Sofa
IKEA’s introduced a splash of colour to the often-monotone world of rattan furniture by adding cushions with funky turquoise covers. This is one of our favourite items from the Sollerön range, which includes everything from tables and additional armrests to foot stools and sofas.
It’s described as a four-seater sofa although there’s room for at least one other person, and the foot stool turns one of the seats into a chaise longue. The handy under-seat storage is genius, providing a handy place to stash smaller items, and rearranging the individual units is easy – simply use the sturdy metal clips.
Buy now £1450.00, IKEA
