As soon as the weather ever so slightly warms up, everyone’s mind turns to the great outdoors. If you have a garden or any form of an outdoor space, be it a balcony or a patio, it’s also the prime time to start thinking about kitting out that space in time for the impending sunshine and warm temps. But to make the task of finding the best outdoor furniture as easy as possible for you, I’ve searched high and low to find the best places where to buy garden furniture so that you don’t have to.
Whether you’re after a new outdoor dining set, a stylish but also comfortable garden chair or an outdoor sofa – which are currently very much on trend by the way – and whatever your budget, there’s something in this guide for everybody. I’ve spent hours doing one of my favourite activities, sitting on countless chairs and sofas, only this time they were designed for outdoors, and assessing both their comfort levels and how stylish they look – both of which are of vital importance.
Given that garden furniture is generally quite large and therefore takes up quite a bit of space, many retailers don’t display their garden furniture in their physical stores – some don’t even have physical stores and it’s also still early on in the season for this – in which case I had to rely on their website, basing my top picks on a mix of my previous experience with the brand and similar styles of outdoor furniture, as well as existing customer feedback. And yes, for each of the stores, I’ve also included my top three buys that I’d recommend investing in to give you some garden furniture ideas.
Best garden furniture stores at a glance
- Best garden furniture store for convenience: Amazon
- Best budget garden furniture store: George Home at ASDA
- Best garden furniture store for fun, colourful pieces: Dunelm
- Best garden furniture store for stylish pieces: John Lewis
- Best garden furniture store for minimalist Scandi chic: IKEA
- Best garden furniture store for expensive-looking pieces: Habitat at Argos
- Best garden furniture store for a wide selection: B&Q
- Best garden furniture store worthy of the indoors: King Living
- Best garden furniture store for chic bistro sets: Next
- Best garden furniture store for dining sets: Barker and Stonehouse
- Best garden furniture store for high-end styles: Garden Trading
Where to buy garden furniture
1. Amazon
Why I recommend it: Amazon has a wide selection of garden furniture from many different brands, from budget-friendly buys to high-end pieces from trusted outdoor furniture brands like Kettler. But, of course, one of the main reasons why we all love Amazon is the convenience – you can buy everything you need in one place from the comfort of your own home with guaranteed fast delivery. And the frequent garden furniture deals are another bonus.
What to buy: As mentioned, Kettler is one of the stocked brands and its garden furniture is known to be of high quality. Kettler’s outdoor pieces are also available at John Lewis which is where I’ve tried some of their lounge sets like the Versa Sofa Set which is very sleek-looking and comfy. But Amazon’s bestselling rattan swing egg chair is also the perfect bargain buy – if you were to finally invest in an egg chair this year (or need to replace an old one) this one would be one of the best to go for.
Kettler Versa 4 Seater Sofa Set
TecTake Garden Furniture Set
2. Habitat at Argos
Why I recommend it: If you want to get garden furniture that looks high end but won’t cost you the big money that designer pieces would then Habitat at Argos would be among the first stores I’d sent you to. This brand is one of the first the whole Ideal Home office looks to for inspiration and top buys every year when retailers reveal their new outdoor furniture collection – from the best garden chairs to dining and lounge sets, Habitat does it all. And well!
What to buy: This year, I was most impressed by Habitat’s innovative take on the egg chair which can at times feel a little old-fashioned in my opinion. But not the cool round-shaped Selene garden egg chair in rattan effect. At the Habitat press preview for spring/summer 2025, I was also taken with the high-end look of the Hania garden sofa set made with solid wood that appears much more expensive than its £700 price tag. And lastly, I love our Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young’s outdoor sofa from IKEA which Habitat’s pretty much created a dupe for with the Habitat Tallak garden sofa set.
Habitat Hania 4 Seater Wooden Garden Sofa Set
Habitat Selene Rattan Effect Garden Egg Chair
Habitat Tallak 4 Seater Metal Garden Sofa Set
3. John Lewis
Why I recommend it: John Lewis is a retailer that brings style to many different price categories, as well as departments including garden furniture – from its budget ANYDAY range to the main offering that mostly sits in the mid range and then its stocked brands, some of which come with designer price points.
What to buy: While John Lewis stocks various brands of garden furniture including Swoon, Nkuku and Kettler, I love its own brand offering the most, to be honest. The one piece I can’t stop thinking about ever since the John Lewis spring/summer 2025 press preview is the Marcy garden chair which is probably the most comfortable garden chair I’ve ever sat on. And its striped pattern available in three different colourways also make it super chic. I’ve also admired the unique curved shape of the Lozenge sofa for a while now and love to see that this year, John Lewis actually turned it into an outdoor sofa design, too. Lastly, who can say no to a classic bistro set – especially when it comes in such a chic colourway as pistachio green (among a few others)?
John Lewis Marcy Sling Garden Chair
John Lewis Lozenge 5-Seater Modular Curved Garden Sofa & Coffee Table Set
John Lewis Camden 2-Seater Garden Bistro Table & Chairs Set
4. Dunelm
Why I recommend it: Dunelm’s outdoor furniture range is very broad but what I love going to this brand for are fun, statement, colourful pieces which there are many of this year. Especially since Dunelm partnered with Sophie Robinson for an extensive collection of homeware and furniture which spans a few garden designs, too.
What to buy: The multicoloured Santorini egg chairs (available in four different colourways) were the standout at the Dunelm spring/summer 2025 press showcase for me so I’m not surprised they’ve now gone viral. The Miami bistro set is of a similar two-tone woven style and the terracotta colourway totally floats my boat as I’m currently obsessed with the colour – as many are, given that earthy tones are one of the biggest home decor trends this year. And as already mentioned, Sophie Robinson’s designed a collection for Dunelm which includes a couple of garden chairs. The Petal egg chair might be more of a showstopper but I actually prefer the Pavilion deck chair which looks more elevated in my opinion.
Dunelm Santorini Egg Chair
Dunelm Miami 2 Seater Bistro Set
Dunelm x Sophie Robinson Jade & Lilac Pavilion Deck Chair
5. B&Q
Why I recommend it: If you’re looking for volume, you will find it at B&Q. The retailer stocks thousands of garden furniture pieces from a wide array of brands. GoodHome’s and Beliani’s products tend to be among my top picks as I find them to be the most stylish but if your aesthetic preferences differ from mine, you are still sure to find something to your liking at B&Q.
What to buy: I’m a fan of most of Beliani’s garden furniture. But I love the style of the rattan garden sofa and its stylish Mediterranean look. I also think it’s the perfect alternative to Neptune’s new Longmeadow 3 Seater Sofa which is double the price. But the rattan bistro and dining sets from GoodHome are also among my top picks because they look so much more expensive than they are and the space-saving quality of the dining set is very much appreciated.
https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-elos-beige-4-seater-dining-set/5063022590756_BQ.prd
Beliani Rattan 3 Seater Garden Sofa
GoodHome Omalos Beige 2 Seater Bistro Set
6. George Home at ASDA
Why I recommend it: If you want to get the biggest bang for your buck then George Home’s garden furniture is your best bet. And unlike the outdoor pieces from most supermarkets or budget brands, George Home actually has some products that are very comparable to designer lookalikes.
What to buy: We all love the HAY Palissade garden furniture, available at Holloways of Ludlow, very much at the Ideal Home office. But unfortunately, our budgets don’t stretch that far. So when George Home released the green slatted garden dining set last year – which sold out in just a few days – we were very excited. And luckily, it’s back this year. George Home has also put its own spin on the curved sofa trend, taking it to the garden with the Mykonos daybed. And if you like sling garden furniture like the John Lewis Marcy chair or the IKEA HAVSTEN sofa then the Tuscany 4-piece sofa set is going to be right up your alley, too.
George Home Green Metal Slat 3 Piece Bench Set
George Home Beige Mykonos Daybed
George Home Green Tuscany 4 Piece Sofa Set
7. IKEA
Why I recommend it: Who doesn’t love IKEA furniture and all the IKEA hacks that it creates potential for? I sure do! And while IKEA also offers very basic, budget-friendly outdoor furniture too, I prefer the brand’s more stylish pieces that give way to its signature Scandi aesthetic. But you will have to spend a little bit more on those compared to your standard BILLY bookcases and KALLAX units.
What to buy: I’ve already mentioned the HAVSTEN sling outdoor sofa set which our Editor-in-Chief owns – and which is also available as a standalone chair or sofa. But sticking to the minimalist Scandinavian style, the SKOGSÖN outdoor chair in powder-coated steel with a perforated design is a new favourite, as is the KROKHOLMEN outdoor coffee table which already boasts 10 five-star reviews on the website.
IKEA HAVSTEN outdoor 4-seat conversation set
IKEA SKOGSÖN outdoor easy chair
IKEA KROKHOLMEN outdoor coffee table
8. Next
Why I recommend it: Next is another great destination for shopping garden furniture from various brands as it stocks everything from the super chic (and Soho Home-esque) MADE to Cox & Cox. But its own brand offering should not be overlooked as there are some hidden gems in there if you ask me – especially if you’re after an expensive-looking bistro or a dining set.
What to buy: As soon as I saw the clean, angular design of the Abel dining set, complete with the chair rattan inserts, I knew that would be the star buy for me. But if you’re after something a little more relaxed, both the Sorrento and Amalfi bistro sets look designer and like they cost more than their respective £499 and £450 price tags.
Next Abel 2 Seater Rattan Garden Dining Table and Chairs Set
Next Sorrento Garden 3 Piece Chairs and Table Bistro Set
Next Amalfi Garden Wooden 2 Seater Bistro Table and Chairs Set
9. Barker and Stonehouse
Why I recommend it: Barker and Stonehouse’s outdoor furniture collection is extensive, and I’m yet to see a piece of furniture on the brand’s website that I wouldn’t be happy to have in my garden. It’s also a particularly good place to shop garden dining tables – which can often be a tricky piece of outdoor furniture to source – as well as offering a huge range of garden sofas and lounge sets.
What to buy: If you want the look of the HAY Palissade for less but also can’t deal with metal furniture then the Lima bistro set from Barker and Stonehouse made with recycled plastic is the perfect alternative. And that’s not the only sustainable option the brand offers – the Tavira dining set is not only stylish, but it’s also made with FSC-certified acacia wood. Lastly, I don’t know about you but I love the look of tiled coffee tables and I think they look particularly great in the garden or on a patio. But their one downside is that they tend to be quite pricey. But not the ones from Barker and Stonehouse like the beautiful terracotta-coloured Rico design.
Lima Green Recycled Plastic Garden Bistro Set
Rico Terracotta Red Tiled Round Coffee Table
Tavira Teak Wood Garden Table and Rope Chairs
10. King Living
Why I recommend it: I’ve professed my love for King Living sofas a few times before as my own modular sofa – the 1977 model – is from the Australian brand. But King Living also makes outdoor furniture which is very similar – in some cases exactly the same – as its offering for the home. In my recent conversation with Kelly Hoppen, the interior designer’s main advice for outdoor decorating was to treat the space as part of your home rather than create a separation between the style of the indoors and outdoors. And going for a King Living garden seating idea will help you do just that.
What to buy: Of course I’m going to recommend the 1977 outdoor sofa as I love the living room version of the design. And just like the original, this one too is modular and beautifully curved. Swivel chairs are trending this year and the Aura swivel outdoor lounge chair with an elevated shape makes for the perfect investment, as does the Zaza outdoor sofa with ergonomically shaped armrests.
King Living 1977 Outdoor Sofa Package D
King Living Zaza Outdoor 2.5 Seater Sofa
King Living Aura Outdoor Swivel Lounge Chair
11. Garden Trading
Why I recommend it: If you have a little more cash to invest into your outdoor furniture then Garden Trading has plenty of swoon-worthy pieces that are designed to create a focal point on the patio. There are plenty of spacious outdoor sofas and large outdoor dining tables and chairs to choose from, as well as some great smaller space options such as classic metal bistro sets and space-saving outdoor bars.
What to buy: Garden Trading’s pieces are mostly made with natural materials like wood, rattan and metal which is another reason for choosing this brand. The Rive Droite bistro set available in a variety of colourways to complement your decor has been a firm Ideal Home favourite for a couple of years now. But to me, it’s the rustic farmhouse-style Chilford dining table and bench set that perfectly encapsulates the brand’s aesthetic. But if something a little more boho or even mid-century is more your vibe, there’s plenty there to choose from too – my top pick would be the Somersham armchair made with acacia wood.
Garden Trading Rive Droite Large Bistro Set
Garden Trading Chilford Small Solid Wood Table and Bench Set
Garden Trading Somersham Armchair
How I picked the best places to buy garden furniture
To put this guide to shopping for garden furniture together, I’ve visited as many press previews presenting garden furniture, as well as outdoor furniture stores as I possibly could and tried out countless garden chairs, sofas, dining and lounge sets. In some instances, I’ve relied on the experience of some of the other Ideal Home team members and what they had to say.
As some brands don’t have physical stores or sometimes they don’t have enough space to display their garden furniture range, I had to rely on their websites and a mix of the brands’ reputation, existing customer reviews and my previous experience with some of their pieces. To find out more about how we test products at Ideal Home, you can have a read through this more detailed explainer.
How to choose the best garden furniture
To find the best garden furniture for your outside space you’ll first want to think about how you intend to use your outdoor area; do you want to entertain large numbers of guests, create a family-friendly garden, or create a space to relax and unwind amongst nature in relative solitude?
If you’re blessed with a large patio then zoning the garden into outdoor ‘rooms’ can be a great use of space, adding a garden table and chairs that are spacious enough to host friends and family around a barbecue area in the ‘outdoor dining’ zone, and creating a more informal seating area with a corner sofa or lounge set to relax and socialise on in ‘outdoor living room’ area.
If space is more limited, then you may need to combine these areas, in which case a garden sofa set that features an extendable height riser table can be a worthy investment, allowing you to easily transform your seating from a daytime coffee spot into an alfresco dining zone in the evening. Alternatively, a chaise sofa, or an option that comes with padded footstools, will transform seating into a sun lounging space when the weather allows.
And, if space is at a premium then options that fold away can help you to maximise your square footage, with collapsible bistro sets offering a smart and versatile solution. Or you might just want to add a stylish egg chair, a couple of statement garden chairs or a garden bench. Our small garden ideas hold plenty of small space inspiration.
Once you’ve decided on the type of garden furniture layout that will work best for your lifestyle, it’s time to consider the materials that outdoor furniture is made from to ensure a durable investment.
‘Researching the best materials for garden furniture is essential when transforming your outdoor space,’ says Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman. ‘Think of your garden furniture as an investment piece and ensure you’re selecting materials that can withstand the elements and look their best for years to come.’
If your budget allows, then I always recommend looking for garden furniture constructed from lightweight and rust-resistant aluminium or weather-resistant hardwoods like teak, acacia, or eucalyptus. These materials are more of an investment initially, but will weather the elements for years to come so are good value over the long term.
If affordability is your key criterion right now then garden furniture made from powder-coated steel or softwood will offer a budget solution. However, these materials are less weather-resistant, so you’ll need to factor in somewhere to store the furniture over winter or opt for an outdoor furniture cover to prolong your furniture’s lifespan. You can also paint, stain or treat wooden garden furniture to protect it or add some colour to your scheme.
FAQs
What is the lowest maintenance outdoor furniture material?
PE-rattan or polyrattan garden furniture is generally considered to be the lowest maintenance garden furniture. This is because the upper is made from a polyurethane plastic that has the benefit of being lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant, and requires no regular upkeep other than a brush down to remove winter debris.
Look for PE-rattan garden furniture with an aluminium frame, as, unlike a powder-coated steel frame, aluminium is rust-resistant so can be left outside all year round without any upkeep or storage needs.
What garden furniture does not rust?
Unlike powder-coated steel, which is prone to rusting at joints and anywhere where the coating has become chipped, aluminium-framed garden furniture is naturally rust-resistant.
For this reason, aluminium garden furniture can be left outside all year round making it a super low-maintenance option (although some manufacturers will still recommend sheltering it from the worst of the elements to prolong its lifespan even further).
However, this does mean that aluminium-based outdoor furniture tends to be more expensive than a powder-coated steel alternative. The added durability can make it the better value investment longer term though.
How do you clean garden furniture?
As well as utilising one of the best patio cleaners alongside one of the best pressure washers to rid your outside space of any winter grime and algae, giving your outdoor furniture a quick clean will instantly transform your patio ready for spring. Our guide to how to clean garden furniture has all the top tips you’ll need.
Read the full article here