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Garden Furniture Buying Guide

Sit back and relax with our guide to finding the 
perfect garden furniture for you.

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The best furnitureMaterialTypes of furnitureFurniture storageCushions/parasolsBest furniture for youFAQs

Find your Perfect Outdoor Set Up

Lots of things come to mind when you think of a traditional British summer – Wimbledon fortnight, trips to the seaside, the distant sound of an ice cream van’s jingle drifting towards your street – but does anything else truly encapsulate the warmer months more than those lazy, sun-splashed days spent in the back garden? While it’s true that our summers can seem fleeting, there’s no doubt the memories they make last a lifetime. 


And however you prefer to spend that time, whether you’re indulging in a little alfresco dining with friends and family or putting your feet up after an epic game of Swingball with the kids, the right garden furniture is key to getting the most out of every outdoor adventure. 


But knowing which garden furniture set will suit your own piece of paradise is easier said than done. Thankfully, we’ve put this buying guide together to ensure whatever the size and shape of your garden, and however big or small your budget happens to be, you’ll find it every bit as carefree as curling up on a swing seat with a good book and a cool drink.  

Choosing the best garden furniture

We know it’s tempting to dive into our garden furniture collections right away (there is a lot to see after all!) but before you start adding stuff to your basket, it’s worth considering the following points. 

Space and layout

Take the time to look at your garden and have a think about its shape and size. Consider different areas like the patio, lawn and any corner nooks that are available. You might want to place different furniture in different areas of the garden, providing plenty of space for guests and allowing you to move around the area throughout the day, following the movement of the sun (or the shade!) and creating lots of variety. 


As an example, an arbour is a great way of creating a fresh focal point in a forgotten area of the garden, especially if you plant a climber close by and allow it to trail along the structure, resulting in a seamless segue between furniture and foliage. 
You also need to think about how practical the furniture will be when it’s being used. When measuring your garden for a dining table set, think about how much space will be taken up when the seats are placed around it. Will there be enough room for you and your guests to push your seats back or to walk freely around the table? 

Material

Garden furniture comes in a wide variety of materials. Not only will each one of these give the space around it a different aesthetic, it also requires its own care and maintenance to stay looking good over time. Here are the main garden furniture materials you’ll find, along with the type of maintenance each one will need. 

Natural Rattan garden furniture

Flaunting that distinctive woven design, natural rattan garden furniture is perfect for creating an elegant look that will blend brilliantly with the plants, trees and other nature around it. As well as being stylish, it also tends to be lighter in weight than wood (and so easier to move around) and stands up reasonably well to the elements.  

Weather resistance and maintenance - Despite its durable benefits, natural rattan is susceptible to prolonged weather conditions which can lead to brittleness or mildew damage. It’s recommended you store your furniture in a shed or garage during winter, or protect it with appropriate outdoor covers. Clean it with a soft cloth and mild detergents, making sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards.  

Shop all natural rattan garden furniture 

Poly-rattan garden furniture

Mimicking the stunning appearance of the natural version, poly-rattan garden furniture is even lighter and stronger. It also offers excellent resistance to UV rays and is less likely to become brittle over time. 



Weather resistance and maintenance - Synthetic rattan copes will with rain showers as it doesn’t swell or become moldy when wet. This means it can be left outside most of the year, although you’ll need to store the cushions away when not in use. To clean, give it a wipe down with soapy water and ensure it’s completely rinsed, then allow to dry thoroughly. 

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Metal garden furniture

Metal furniture has the advantage of being more sturdy and hard-wearing. Of course, different metals have different advantages and disadvantages, so it’s worth considering which one is right for you. Aluminum and stainless steel are lighter, resistant to rust, and tend to give your garden a more modern aesthetic. Iron is much heavier and results in a traditional, timeless quality that stands up well to knocks and bumps. It is, however, prone to rusting unless correctly treated and regularly maintained. Another important thing to note with metal garden furniture is that it can get hot in extreme sunshine. 

Weather resistance and maintenance - While aluminium is rust resistant, metals like iron and even stainless steel under certain circumstances can be prone to rusting. Store your furniture under cover and check for damage from time to time, especially in the spring. If your furniture is painted you can re-paint every few years with a suitable outdoor metal paint, and a coating of car wax after washing and drying your furniture will help repel water and improve longevity. 

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Wooden garden furniture

If you want a look that’s natural, rustic and timeless, wooden garden furniture is difficult to beat. It’s also incredibly versatile and can take a number of different finishes to suit the look you want to achieve. Varnishes and oils are great for coaxing out the grain for a traditional appearance, while exterior paints can be used to add a pop of colour when you feel like something more fun. A downside of wooden furniture is that it can quickly show signs of weathering if left in the elements. 

Weather resistance and maintenance - Wooden furniture can be especially susceptible to the elements, so it’s important to store it in a shed, garage or under cover during the autumn and winter months. When you take it out again in spring, check for any signs of damage, then wash thoroughly. If it requires a fresh finish of varnish, oil or paint, sand it down and clean away residues with a damp cloth before applying. 

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Plastic/polypropylene Garden Furniture

Lightweight and affordable, plastic and polypropylene garden furniture is a great option if you’re looking for low maintenance ease. Although the colour can fade through repeated exposure to the sun, plastic furniture stands up well to weather and moisture. Of course, its lightweight nature does have a potential downside - it may be easier to move around the garden or into the garage, but it can also be more easily blown over in high winds! 

Weather resistance and maintenance - Although incredibly durable, plastic and polypropylene garden furniture can still be damaged by the elements, particularly continued exposure to the sun, which can lead to colour fading. Rain and snow can also cause brittleness that can damaged the plastic, so it’s recommended to keep it under cover in the later months. Maintenance is generally fuss-free – you can clean regularly with soap and water or use diluted vinegar to remove stubborn stains or bird droppings. 

Shop all plastic and polypropylene garden furniture   

Types of garden furniture

Now that you’ve got a good idea of the space you have to work with, as well as the style and material you’d like, it’s finally time to think about which garden furniture is right for you. 

Garden Corner Sets

Perfect for creating intimate areas in unused nooks, or for maximising the space in smaller gardens, corner sets are a great option if you intend to regularly invite friends and family over. We love the way they’re designed to get everyone sitting closely together – perfect for socialising into the evening on those long summer days

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Garden Dining Sets

Offered in all sorts of sizes to suit your garden, dining sets include a central table and matching seating, allowing everyone to gather for alfresco meals in the sunshine. Just right for sitting down to enjoy those fresh-off-the-grill gastronomic delights, many of them will include a matching parasol to keep you and your guests comfortably shaded. 

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Garden Sofa Sets

Garden sofa sets extend the comfort of your living room into the outdoors. Ideal for curling up and unwinding with a good book at the end of a busy day, or for sitting with guests as you enjoy a cocktail (or two!), the soft cushions tempt you to stretch out and relax long into the evening.  

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Bistro Sets

Even the smallest of spaces, from a compact back yard to a simple balcony, can enjoy a stylish eating area with a bistro set. Usually comprising a small table and a pair of chairs, these space-efficient sets are great for individuals or couples who want an intimate area to sit and enjoy their morning brew or summer meals. They’re also a budget-friendly option for larger gardens where you’re looking to create an alternative eating area away from the main seating space.

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Sun loungers

If you love nothing more than kicking back and soaking up the rays, a sun lounger is the ideal piece of garden furniture. Giving you the perfect platform for stretching out in comfort, they’re lightweight, easy to move around, and most of them will also fold up for easy storage. Okay, so you may not be lucky enough to position yours by a pool like the ones you see on your summer hols, but on the plus side there’s no need to get up at silly o’ clock to reserve it with a towel! 

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Swing seats and egg chairs

Designed with seats suspended from a supportive frame, these are perhaps the ultimate in easy-going comfort, allowing you to gently swing back and forth. Swing seats generally feature space for two to three people and will often incorporate a canopy to keep you shaded while you sway. Egg chairs are designed for one or two people to sit at a time and are really good for smaller gardens or for placing in a corner of your space. They’ll usually have a sturdy metal frame which supports a contrasting wicker egg-shaped seat, while soft cushions add comfort and luxury. 

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Garden benches

A mainstay of every seafront and park across the country, benches are the perfect place to sit down, unwind and take in the view. They also allow people to sit together, creating the ideal area to socialise while you admire your space. They’re available in all sorts of styles and materials, making it easy to find one that will sit seamlessly in your own garden.  

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Outdoor Beanbags

Beanbags might just be the most underrated item of garden furniture there is. Incredibly comfortable, they offer the ultimate in informal lounging – perfect for throwing on the grass when friends and family come round so you can catch the last of the day’s sunshine. They’re also lightweight and easy to move around, and because you can use them inside your home too, they create the ultimate bridge between garden and living room, comfortably linking the two distinct areas. It’s important to remember that while shower proof, beanbags are not suitable for leaving out in the elements for extended periods. 

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Garden furniture storage

No matter what your garden furniture is made from, it’s always worth storing it away during the wetter autumn and winter months, which will ensure it’s ready to enjoy again when the warmer weather rolls around.  
If you don’t have a garage, you could always invest in a shed, which will give you plenty of space to stow away everything from table and chair sets to sun loungers. Alternatively, a patio cover allows you to enjoy your outdoor space without having to worry about summer showers, while also keeping your furniture under cover throughout autumn and winter (we’d still recommend using furniture covers to protect against wind and moisture). 


No room for a shed or patio cover? Garden furniture covers are a great way to keep everything protected from the elements. These come in variety of sizes to suit your furniture (some furniture even comes complete its own made-to-measure cover) and are easy to fold away and store when not in use. And the great thing about covers is the fact that because they’re so easy to fit, you can use them throughout the summer as well on days when you’re not planning on using your furniture – this will shield it from the bright sun (which can cause fading) as well as those stubborn summer showers. 


No shed? No problem – even the smallest of gardens can accommodate smart storage for cushions, parasols and other accessories. At Very you’ll find storage boxes in a range of materials to match the rest of your furniture. They’re available in lots sizes to suit your space and even include options that combine seating with storage. 

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Cushions

Once you’ve chosen your new furniture, it’s time to add those all-important extras. Soft cushions will bring extra comfort to your furniture, making your garden every bit as relaxing as your living room. As well as seat and back cushions, you can choose from a variety of accent cushions which come in a range of colours and patterns to add some extra sunshine to your garden. 

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Parasols

If you prefer to throw shade at your space, a parasol is perfect for protecting you from the rays of the midday sun and allowing you to relax, eat or socialise without getting too hot. Of course, while parasols are built to block out the sunshine, they’re not quite as adept at standing up to the wind, so remember to add a weighted parasol base that will keep it in place on gusty days! 

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The best garden furniture for you:

Furniture for Small Gardens or Balconies

If your space is a little on the small side, it’s a good idea to get compact furniture that can be stacked or folded when not in use. Bistro sets can be teamed with benches to give you a stylish place to sit and eat, or you could alternatively grab a single chair or sun lounger and match it with a small side table – perfect for giving you a place to sit with your morning coffee or evening cocktail! 

Shop Garden Tables

Furniture for Large Gardens

Larger gardens give you more opportunity for experimenting, allowing you to place different furniture in different areas to create a series of moods and styles – you could have a modern dining set on the patio, then contrast this with more rustic seating like a bench or arbour in another area of the garden. 


Large dining sets give everyone a place to sit during that next big garden gathering, and you can keep the area shaded and dry by with a patio cover. Pergolas are a great way of enhancing a seating or dining space – these come in traditional wood you can grow train runners like Wisteria and Jasmine to cover, or in a sturdy, lightweight aluminium for a modern appearance that will shrug off rainy days. If you’d rather have a more informal space for sitting and chatting to guests, a modular sofa set will bring the comfort of the living room into the outdoors. Lots of nooks and hidden areas that aren’t doing anything? Make them more accessible with benches that allow you to move around your garden throughout the day. 

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FAQs

Summer lovin’

Now all you need to do is put on your shades, pour yourself a cool drink and begin browsing our sunny selection of garden furniture, accessories and other essentials. And remember, getting your hands on the things you want the most is even easier with VeryPay’s flexible payment options, as well as fast delivery straight to your door. Happy shopping - oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 

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