We know how garden furniture can make a good garden great. You only need to see the lovely fire pit in this garden, or the beautiful chairs in this green urban oasis to know that your garden furniture is a big part of your overall garden design.
And while we have great guides on everything from the best garden day beds, rattan garden furniture to swing chairs, we wanted to put together this list of all the pieces that we really rate. These are the garden furniture pieces that could change your garden from run of the mill to awe-inspiring.
We'd recommend always buying to suit your space, so make sure you have worked out where your garden sofa or table is going to go before you invest, and think carefully about the space you're using. Perhaps there's an overlooked area of the garden that will be revitalised with a simple bistro table and chairs? Or even a lovely wooden bench?
The garden furniture we've selected are all the best examples of products in their type. We either love their durability, their design, their comfort or the fact that they combine all of these things perfectly together. We''d always recommend looking for sustainable items, and things that will fit in with your overall aesthetic - are you cottage garden chic? Are you going for modern minimalist? Hopefully there should be something on this list for every taste.
- Best garden furniture store for contemporary designs: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
- Best overall garden furniture store: Habitat www.habitat.com
- Best value garden furniture store: Argos www.argos.com
- Best garden furniture for natural aesthetic: Cox and Cox www.coxandcox.co.uk
- Best garden furniture store for families: Wayfair, www.wayfair.com
Best garden furniture to buy in 2024
Globo Garden Hanging Chair
Best for: luxury
An egg or cocoon seat is an absolute must in pretty much any garden and this particular one has our hearts fluttering. An egg swing seat suggests the height of luxury and indulgence and this Globo is one of the best out there. Its round, curvy sides and its lovely plump cushions will have you whiling away hours in the garden without noticing the time passing. The cover is washable and what's even more exciting is that you don't have to use the stand: you can hang the chair from a tree if you'd prefer.
Here are more cocoon chairs for you
Malta 6-Seater Steel Corner Dining Set
Best for: patios and decking
There are lots of garden dining sets out there, so it's often hard to find the wood from the trees. This stylish set is on our pick of the best because it combines rattan - a traditional style we adore - with a modern aesthetic.
The cushions are very comfortable and the overall set would several combinations of groups of people - up to six. The smoked glass table top is the icing on the cake and the two stools are the cherry on top. This one is perfect for patios or decking in a lovely shady spot.
Just add a tabletop patio heater for a cosy glow in the evenings.
Head here for a lovely rattan garden day bed
Sleeper Wooden Traditional Garden Bench
Best for: simplicity and natural materials
We love simple, sturdy and natural materials. This beautiful solid wood bench from Forest Garden ticks all those boxes. Its smooth veneer is lovely to touch and its big enough for two, and even three at a squeeze. It will boost the atmosphere of a natural-looking, calm garden and looks effortlessly chic.
You could use it in lots of different style gardens, including classic and modern, which makes its design so versatile. The timber is FSC-certified and there's a 15 year guarantee on it. Plus two separate sizes, either 120 or 180 cm wide.
Here's more inspiration for garden benches.
Rowlinson Winchester
Best for: enhancing a viewpoint and storage
An arbour can add to a lovely nook or cranny, but it also enhances your enjoyment of certain viewpoints from within your garden. This stunning example is beautifully made, with a natural finish.
But it's on this best garden furniture list because it could easily be discreet and simply enhances the feel of the planting around it. We also love that there's an underseat storage (we all need more storage) for blankets, tools or whatever else you might need to hand.
The roof is metal and it's made using FSC-certified timber.
We are also obsessed with the Noah's Ark arbour - find it in our guide to the best arbours you can buy.
Three seater metal garden bench
Best for: value
This is one of the best garden furniture ranges out there. It emulates the gloriously stylish Palissade metal garden furniture range without it being too hefty on the pockets. This seat has a matte painted finish and is built to last all year round in the garden. You don't need cushions, although we'd recommend some garden-suitable ones for extra comfort. There's a one year warranty from the manufacturer too.
Here's more modern metal garden furniture
The classic 'steam' lounger
Best for: classic design
This garden chair is all about the classic design. Inspired by the chairs used on the decks of steam liners, this modern version is perfect for lounging in the sun and with a good book. It's versatile: there are a choice of five positions, from straight up, through to lying flatter for a snooze in the sun. We like its natural look and its easy to pack away too.
We've rounded up the best garden seats here
Outsunny Wooden Porch A-Frame Swing Chair
Best for: garden swing seats
We may have already included an egg or cocoon seat on this best garden furniture list, but we haven't included a general swing seat, which is a very different ball-game. A swing seat is an absolute must in pretty much any garden and this particular one has our hearts fluttering. It's compact, but big enough for two and there's a small canopy for shade from the sun. We love the swoops and curves of the design, which make it feel more calm and natural. The maximum load on this is 200kg and pretty much the only downside is there's a bit of assembly required. It's full size is length 190cm x depth 130cm x height 192cm, so make sure you've definitely got the space to fit it.
Here are more garden swing chairs to choose from
Lyndhurst Rocking Chair
Best for: comfort
- Buy now from Gardenesque (£199.99)
Rocking chairs once had a bad rap in the style world: fusty and traditional, everyone has an image of a rocking chair in their mind. But in recent years there has been a surefire resurgence of love for the humble rocking chair, with designs being adapted to suit all tastes and places. The garden is a perfect spot for a rocking chair, which can provide gentle, calming motion as you sit amid the swaying trees and bushes.
We love this cushioned version, which is minimalist and easy to clean. Plus you could use it indoor or out.
We also love the salsa rocking chair here
Metal Folding Two Seat Bistro Set
Best for: cottage gardens
A bistro set is a wonderful thing: it can transform an area of your garden into a relaxed spot that feels like you've been transported from the busyness of real life. This particular bistro set has a brilliant classic feel to it, with slender legs and an elegant pattern that will enhance any cottage garden. The table is big enough for two and perfect for entertaining or simply bird watching in your garden.
We also love the Scandinavian-style bistro set here
EVRE Goa Acapulco Styled Garden Furniture Set
Best for: exotic gardens
Handwoven acapulco complete with a small, but perfectly proportioned glass topped coffee table, this garden dining set is a thing of beauty. The woven rattan weave adjusts to the shape of your body meaning the chairs are very comfortable. Maximum weight allowance is up to 110kg per seat. Available in a range of colours including natural, teal, black, grey and bumblebee yellow (pictured).
Here are more acapulco furniture options
Fatboy Original Outdoor Bean Bag in Stripe Ocean Blue
Best for: families and small spaces
The Fatboy is one of the original outdoor beanbags and we couldn't not include it on our best garden furniture list. These beanbags are so versatile there's tons of ways you can sit or enjoy it, from straight up as a chair, to flat on the floor as a lounging pad. Kids love them and adults do too.
We also love the fact that the cover is water and dirt repellant, but you can also machine wash it too.
Indoor Outdoor Double Bean Bag in Soft Grey
Best for: modern gardens
- Buy now from Cox and Cox (£345).
The Fatboy bean bag may be a classic, but this bean bag sofa from Cox and Cox is a very special thing. Enjoy the comfort and relaxation of a bean bag with your friends and family close. The seating set gives off a very relaxed vibe and these would be perfect in any modern-style garden.
Blue Vintage Folding Table
Best for: vintage aesthetic
Rustic is one of the most lovely of garden trends at the moment and the nice thing is you can extend that feel to the furniture you have in your garden. This beautiful blue folding table feels like a vintage find and indeed, the tables were originally used for festivals and weddings in India. The colour is so vibrant it will work with all your blooms in the summer and will be an attractive piece all on its own in the cooler months.
It's made from solid tropical hardwood and has iron legs. Don't expect the table to be pristine! It's charm comes from its vintage. It measures 150 x 60 x 75cm and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Don't miss our round-ups of the best garden sofa sets and the best sun loungers you can buy.
