As spring beckons, you may well want to invest in some new garden furniture to spruce up your patio, improve outdoor entertaining possibilities or simply create a place where you can relax and admire your plants.
But there are so many considerations, from where you are going to place a new set of garden furniture, to functionality, comfort, style and storage requirements.
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“Choosing outdoor furniture can surprisingly involve greater consideration than buying indoor furniture; it may have to offer greater versatility than, for example, a kitchen table or sofa for your sitting room,” says Tim Pennell, head of sales at outdoor furniture specialist Bramblecrest.
“You need to look at your outdoor space and identify an area where you are most likely to want to spend time and ask yourself questions such as: How will the furniture be used – social gatherings, lounging or dining? Does proximity to the house matter? Do you want full sun?”
Measure the space available for garden furniture
Measure your available space and consider how much of it you want to furnish – you will need enough room for you and your guests to relax in comfort and allow an easy flow of people around the set, Pennell advises.
“Be careful not to over or underwhelm a patio area – you may want to keep a clear area for other accessories such as planters and lanterns. Corner sofas make effective use of space and can be paired with versatile dual height tables (which can be positioned at dining and coffee table heights) or a firepit table which can be used as a dining table.
“If you want to find a ‘get away’ place in your garden where you can enjoy a few moments of peace, smaller items of furniture – a cocoon, bench or bistro set – are perfect for this.”
Cater for small areas
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“If you’re working with a small outdoor space, there is still plenty you can do to make the most of it. Some clever, compact furniture will help to maximise your garden’s full potential, creating your very own urban retreat,” says Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style adviser at home retailer Wayfair.
“For balconies, foldaway metal bistro sets offer flexibility – they can be easily stowed away and are a lightweight, contemporary choice. There are plenty of styles and colours to choose from. A bold, bright shade will instantly lift a dull space and inject some personality.”
Ella Broughton, head of product at Moda Furnishings, adds: “For tight spaces, multifunctional rising tables are a great space-saving solution so you can transition from morning coffee to dinner easily.”
Don’t be afraid to make large statements, McCowan Hill continues.
“In a courtyard garden, rather than trying to fill the space with a few pieces of furniture, one larger statement piece that fills the area can actually make it appear bigger.
“A comfy, corner sofa will transform a narrow space into another room of your home for entertaining and relaxation. Choose a weatherproof frame with removable cushions that can be easily stored away inside if you don’t have the space to move furniture inside a garage or shed in colder months.
“An outdoor corner sofa is the ideal foundation to layer from to create a cosy oasis – adding solar festoon lighting, cushions, throws and a chiminea to maximise time in your garden after the sun goes down.”
Sun or shade?
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Pennell says: “Be aware of the outlook, and how the orientation of your furniture can maximise a lovely view or face away from an unsightly area.
“Consider the direction of the sun – allow space for a cantilever parasol if you need to add shade in a sunny spot. If you are proud of your lawn, you may prefer to place your furniture on a deck or patio area to avoid furniture legs piercing the grass.”
Take note of where the sun rises and sets. If you want sun in the morning and the evening, you may have to invest in a couple of sets or be prepared to move a bit of furniture around depending on the time of day.
Broughton adds: “Accessorising the space with clever lighting and heating means if you are in a shady patch or enjoying the evening, your furniture can still be utilised.”
Remember remember the 5th of November, Happy Bonfire Night!
How are you spending your evening? If you’re getting #CosyWithModa, be sure to tag us in your snaps! pic.twitter.com/Uk4kRdTNTT
— Moda Furnishings UK (@ModaUK_Ltd) November 5, 2021
Also consider planting up some evening-fragrant plants such as stocks and nicotiana in nearby pots to enjoy during the summer months, or grow roses and lavender around a garden bench in a hidden corner of your plot.
Dining or lounging?
Our biggest #flex? Eating outdoors in with a Moda #firepit keeping us nice and toasty 🔥
Featured here, our Salone 2G. With aluminium frames and weather-resistant fabrics, its fire pit centrepiece means the whole family can stay warm all evening long. https://t.co/zeUearvnBd pic.twitter.com/oAbzzh2ftr
— Moda Furnishings UK (@ModaUK_Ltd) September 20, 2021
Ask yourself if your garden is somewhere you want to sit to grab a quick coffee before work or a glass of wine at sundown, or are you planning on doing lots of entertaining? Do you just want a comfortable area to lounge in with the family or are you planning dinner parties, barbecues and more elaborate dining?
Outdoor furniture retailers can do both, but ensure you have a good idea of what you want before spending thousands on what you don’t.
Material thoughts
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Environmental concerns shape the way a lot of outdoor furniture companies work – with many becoming Planet Mark certified (an internationally recognised sustainability certification) through measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.
“Many sofas, chairs and benches have cushion covers spun with yarn made from recycled bottles – these soft-touch cushions retain the season-proof, stain-resistant qualities required for the great outdoors,” Pennell observes.
“Synthetic rattan furniture is made from a high quality, recyclable polyethylene – this is extremely durable and will withstand the test of time. Likewise, aluminium furniture is 100% recyclable and loses no quality during the process – a high percentage of all aluminium ever produced is still in use.”
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The timeless and robust qualities of teak are reasons why it remains a popular choice for garden furniture, he continues. It contains high levels of oil, making it weather-resistant and able to withstand exposure to the variable British climate.
Don’t forget storage
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Make sure you have storage space to house your cushions, whether in a shed, garage or indoors. Have you space for a storage box outside? All this needs to be taken into consideration before you buy.
Best-selling garden furniture sets
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling garden furniture sets on Amazon.
- Seats upto 10 people and comes with a practical, glass top casual dining table
- Easy to assemble with all fixings included
- Comes with seat and back cushions
- 【Modern and Elegant】This Rattan Garden Furniture Set can be used both indoors and outdoors, the classic rattan weave texture blends perfectly with the design of your home. Wicker patio furniture...
- 【Package Included】The Rattan Patio Set includes 2 * Armchair, 1 * Double Seat Sofa, 1 * Table, 2 * Armchair Cushion, 1 * Double Seat Sofa Cushion. If you have a small yard or want to create a cosy...
- 【Sturdy and Durable】This rattan furniture is made from PE rattan, Compared with natural rattan, PE rattan also has good flexibility and can withstand strong ultraviolet radiation without fading...
- Popular Adaptable Design: This furniture set is perfect to use in your garden, patio, in your conservatory or your outdoor balcony, the Evre Madrid is just right for a small family or for when...
- Ecofriendly, Resilient and Comfortable: This set is made of high quality, fully recyclable PE rattan, ensuring that it is UV resistant & very low maintenance! The coffee table top is super stylish...
- Easy to Clean: The rattan material is wipeable and really easy to clean, use a damp cloth or antibacterial wipes and dry completely. The removable cushion covers are dirt resistant and shower-proof,...
- PREMIUM QUALITY MATERIAL: Made of premium Poly Rattan weave material, luxurious and trendy look with addition of moderate Tempered Safety Glass placed on top of the Table. Low Maintenance rattan patio...
- WEATHER RESISTANCE: Made of High-Density Poly rattan material save the garden patio set from the UV rays. This patio set is manufactured to save from fading and cracking caused by weather.
- COMFORTABLE CUSHIONS: Thick padded cushions (included) for comfort sitting. Experience the worry-free sitting that lets you sink into comfort.
- Five-piece set: The garden sofa set comes with two corner sofa, a armless chair, a footstool and a tempered glass dining table. Footstools of the rattan sofa set can also be used as extra seats. Seats...
- Comfortable: All seats of the rattan furniture come with plush cushions so you can sit for long periods without your body aching. Cushion covers of the corner garden furniture are removable and...
- Metal wrapped in rattan: Powder coated for extra strength, it ensures a sold and supportive main frame, with the weather-resistant pe wicker for extra durability of the garden rattan furniture sets.
- DIMENSIONS: Table: W 42.91 x D 42.91 x H 29.53 inch; 4 x Chairs: W 21.65 x D 20.87 x H 26.38-33.07 inch; 4 x Stools: W 16.14 x D 16.14 x H 15.75 inch
- STRONG & STURDY - Made of durable, UV-treated, and fade-resistant PE rattan weave material with a solid steel frame for improved stability. This patio sofa set is strong enough to withstand...
- EXCELLENT LOW-MAINTENANCE DESIGN - Features a tempered safety glass tabletop, shower-proof cushion covers with zipper that are washable and removable. The thicker sponge cushions and backrests are...
- FURNITURE
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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