Whether you’ve got a big garden or a small one - or even none at all with just a small balcony - being outdoors for as long as possible over the summer months is practically enshrined in British law.
This is the long-awaited up end of the meteorological see-saw with winter firmly on the downside. We must celebrate this the only way we know how - by doing everything outdoors.
From lounging in the sun to weekend BBQs with the whole family and cooling your feet in a paddling pool come the heatwaves, our gardens are private paradises that spring to life when the weather is good.
When you’re putting in all those hours, it’s only right to invest in the right outdoor furniture to make the season as comfortable as it can be. Think outdoor dining tables and chairs, two-seater bistro sets, BBQs, sun loungers and parasols. But why bother traipsing around endless garden centres when you can find what you need - and more importantly, have it delivered right to your door - in just a few clicks online?
If it’s living room-style lounging you’ve got on the agenda, an outdoor sofa is key. Just like for indoors, you can get them in all shapes and sizes, from loveseats to corner units and entire suites complete with extra single-seater armchairs so you have a place for all your favourite people.
They’re typically made in materials built to withstand the elements: anyone who’s experienced a British summer knows it’s not uncommon to see all four seasons over the span of a single day. We’re talking treated wood, hardwearing willow and rattan, and plastic, that, with the right care, cleaning and storage, will keep you in good stead for many summers to come.
There’s a lot of choice on offer, so we’ve slimmed down the choices with only the best in our edit.
Shop the best outdoor sofas below
Best outdoor day beds to lounge in your garden this summer
Best wooden garden furniture sets of 2023 for style and comfort this summer
Best gas BBQs for gourmet grub in the garden
Best outdoor dining sets for evenings in the garden
Best garden seating to complete your outdoor space from hanging egg chairs to comfy day beds
Best home pizza ovens for indoors, your garden or any outdoor space
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 £1299.00, Rattan Direct
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
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
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
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 £3759.00, Moda Furnishings
Florence 4 Piece Conversation Set
This set will transform your outdoor space into a relaxing retreat with its two-seat sofa, two chairs and the table. There’s a supportive high back and full seat cushions that you’ll sink right into.
Buy now £399.99, The Range
Ledbury 7F - U Shaped Sofa with Gas Firepit and Bench
Take your warm weather relaxation to new heights with this lounge set that features an impressive 10 seats including a U-shaped sofa. While the attractive brown hue (it’s also available in two tones of grey and a natural hue) is enough to draw us in, the wow-factor comes with this gas fire pit that sits at the centre of the coffee table. Ambiance at its best.
Buy now £4810.00, Moda Furnishings
Madrid Cane Effect Sofa and Coffee Table Set
Help your cosy corner of the world spark joy with this sofa and coffee table set. You don’t need to have an expansive plot of land, you can make the most of what you got with this sunshine in furniture form. The pieces have a rounded design and a light hued natural look, juxtaposed with modern black legs.
Buy now £293.99, Very
Windsor 18 - Sofa Set with Rising Table and Footstools
Get the whole family together with this expansive dining collection. Comfort is placed at the forefront so there are cosy cushions set on the three-seat sofa, the armchairs and the included footstools.
It can seat eight people for formal occasions or you can lower the adjustable table for lounging. There’s a hidden drinks cooler as well as a rotating Lazy Susan to enhance the party feel. The parasol pictured is also included and there’s a seven year guarantee. The durable construction is UV-resistant and waterproof.
Buy now £2429.00, Moda Furnishings
Monaco 9-Seater Rattan Effect Corner Sofa Dining Set - Grey
Seating nine, this set will encourage you to dine in style throughout the summer. Comfy, hassle-free seating is achieved through the corner L-shaped sofa, table and three stools complete with thick seat pads and back cushions. The construction is a durable rattan-effect that is also weather resistant, while the aluminium frame keeps it lightweight yet resilient. You may notice the tempered glass tabletop but this set takes it to the next level with the addition of a Lazy Susan as standard.
Buy now £999.99, Robert Dyas
Classic Rattan 6 Seater Garden Sofa Set with Square Rising Table and Parasol
Kit out your garden in style with the dining set of your dreams from Primrose Living. This light hued rattan set is easily adaptable to suit any of your warm weather plans. There’s a sofa, footstool, armchairs, a table and an XL parasol all included in the price, making it a great buy if you want to get all your garden furniture for one cost.
The seating is fitted with deep filled cushions and the deep and high-backed chairs will ensure you stay cosy as day parties turn to night. The furniture is made from premium PE rattan to maintain the quality and enhance its ability to brave the elements being UV, weather and mould resistant. The table can be adjusted height-wise and is topped with glass for easy clean.
Buy now £2299.99, Amazon
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 £1545.00, 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 £1325.50, IKEA
Garden Store Direct Eleanor Folding Double Hanging Egg Chair
A hanging chair made for two (or just to really stretch out on), this design elongates the egg shape that’s so popular right now. It comes with plush head and seating cushions and is calibrated to be the perfect mount and dismount height. Set it on your patio, grass or decking and watch the neighbours turn green with envy. 196cm x 145cm x 196cm.
Buy now £449.95, Amazon
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
