Sproutl’s essential guide to patio furniture
Transform your garden into the lap of luxury by kitting it out with the perfect patio set. Here’s our ultimate guide to outdoor furniture, from sofa sets to dining tables, benches and recliners.
Benefits of patio furniture
Whether you have a deck or terrace, courtyard, balcony or lawn, patio furniture can turn your outdoor space into another room of the house, whatever the season.
Sofas, dining tables, bistro sets and recliners allow you to spill out into the garden - both practically and in style - for decadent soirees, family time, catch-ups with friends or a spot of solo sunbathing.
Wondering what garden furniture to buy?
Need
What do you plan to use your new furniture for? If you love soaking up the sun, a lounger might be a better option than a bench. Choosing a dining set? How many people will be using it regularly? Just you and a friend, the whole family, or a gaggle of guests at a garden party?
Space
It’s also important to consider what will fit in the space you have. A bistro set might be the best bet for a small balcony, whereas larger patios will comfortably house a garden sofa and a couple of armchairs to boot.
Materials
Garden furniture is often made of wood, metal or rattan. Each has its pros and cons.
Traditional wooden furniture ages beautifully and, with regular TLC, will last for years. Chairs, tables and benches often fold up but can be heavy to move around. Hardwood furniture can be left outside all year, but softwood sets will need storing in a garage or shed during autumn and winter.
Rattan patio furniture usually has an aluminium frame, so it’s lightweight and doesn’t rust. Synthetic rattan is modern, waterproof and easy to keep clean.
Metal furniture is often made from durable iron or steel. If left outside all year, it will just need a little maintenance to keep it in good condition.
Luckily, cleaning garden furniture is pretty easy, whatever material you go for.
Cost
It’s worth considering the quality and lifespan of patio furniture and weighing up whether to opt for affordability or pay a little more for an investment piece that you can enjoy for years to come.
Types of patio furniture
Sofa sets
Let’s get one thing straight. Sofas ain’t just for the living room. Outside sofa sets were invented to add the ultimate luxury to your garden. Corner-shaped or modular garden couches are an easy way to create an outdoor ‘room’ and often have options for matching armchairs, stools and coffee tables, too. Throw on a few scatter cushions, kick off your shoes and sink in.
Top tip: Most outdoor sofas have weather-proof cushions but, at the end of the day, chuck them into an outdoor storage box to ensure they stay in good condition.
Dining sets and tables
Alfresco dining is one of life’s greatest joys. Especially if you’re chowing down on homegrown veggies. If you’re planning on firing up the BBQ and inviting all your pals, go for a roomy table, with space to lay out dishes and seat everyone. Or, if you’re just planning to enjoy a low-key brunch every now and then, a bistro set might suit you better.
And don’t forget about folding tables. These can be an absolute lifesaver in the garden, especially if you suddenly need extra space while you’re cooking.
If you’re looking for a furniture set that does it all, go for an adjustable garden table, which speedily transforms from coffee to dining table in moments. Magic.
Chairs and loungers
Sun’s out? Loungers out. Is there anything sweeter than chillaxing in a recliner? The adjustable backs make them ideal for catching rays, indulging in afternoon snoozes and - of course - celebrating cocktail hour. In that order. Choose from a lightweight aluminium lounger or a wooden steamer chair and fold them away at the end of summer.
Benches
Ah, the timeless garden bench. There’s a reason it’s still a garden staple. Homely, classic and dependable, benches are a simple seating option that can be used in any season. Wooden and metal benches can usually be left outdoors all year round. Others fold up and can be stored under cover during the colder, wetter months, or moved around to follow the sun during the spring and summer. Alternatively, keep your bench in one position and opt for a built-in pergola or arbour, so you can grow sweet-smelling blooms up and over it.
Parasols and awnings
Scorching sun? A few spots of rain? Invest in a parasol, awning or a gazebo to help you spend more time outdoors, comfortable and protected, whatever the weather. Plus, big garden umbrellas have a distinct holiday feel to them. Pop one up on a sunny day and pretend you’ve been transported to the South of France.
BBQs and beyond
Fit your patio out with a host of other accessories to give your outdoor space even more homely vibes. Make the area seem bigger by adding an outdoor mirror or two. Get set up to cook outdoors by making room for a BBQ, firepit or pizza oven. And don’t forget to kit the kids out with their own outdoor furniture.
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The best garden furniture for every season
While it’s wise for some garden tables and chairs to spend the wettest part of the year in the shed, it’s a common misconception that patio furniture is just for the spring and summer months. Outdoor seating can be enjoyed in autumn and winter, too.
Patio furniture for spring and autumn
Those in-between seasons can be pretty unpredictable. But an awning makes sitting outside possible even if there are a few spots in the air. And patio heaters and firepits warm things up, allowing you to stay outdoors for longer in the evenings.
The best patio furniture for summer
In high summer, a parasol or gazebo is your best friend, offering shade, making it easier to see laptop screens (hello, remote workers) and allowing you to spend more time outdoors.
Most synthetic rattan furniture is UV-resistant, so it won’t fade in strong light.
Garden furniture in Winter
Who says the garden party’s over in the winter? Get yourself a firepit and make your outdoor sofa a cosy pad for longer. Anyone for a hot chocolate and marshmallows under the stars?
The best year-round patio furniture
A garden bench is a good year-round investment, allowing you to take five minutes out for a cuppa whatever the season. You could even perch on it to pot up seedlings, write out plant labels, detangle a ball of string…the possibilities are endless.
Bistro sets are quick and easy to unfold at any time. So if the sun decides to come out on a Wednesday lunchtime in April, you can rise to the occasion.
Outdoor sofas and dining sets can be left in place and protected from the elements using handy furniture covers. Just throw them off and plump up the cushions for an impromptu shindig whenever the weather allows.
