If you're looking for garden furniture which you don't have to pack away over the winter, going for metal garden furniture makes a lot of sense. Metal is hardy, and can offer alluring designs with a modern edge. In fact, it can transform the look and feel of your garden, whether you're combining it with country cottage style planting or minimalist designs.
While there's a lot of modern metal garden furniture on offer, it's best to look for something that will make a statement, while also offering extras that you love: an inbuilt fire pit? A lazy susan on the dining table? A swing chair?
While traditional metal garden furniture might still be charming, modern furniture says chic, relaxed and design-conscious. Below, we've picked out a few of the modern metal garden furniture options that we love the most, from loungers, to dining sets to rocking chairs.
The best modern metal garden furniture 2024
Maze Amalfi Aluminium Dining Set
Buy from Maze (from £699.00)
Combining sharp aesthetics with the comfort of fitted cushions, this dining set is a great choice for the garden. The aluminium construction makes it maintenance free, while the soft grey finish means it'll blend in beautifully to almost any space.
You can get this dining set as a two-seat square table, four-seat square table or six-seat rectangular version, as you can see here.
Sherwood rocking chair
Buy from Gardenesque (£119.00)
If you love the look of wood but want the durability and longevity of metal, consider this sweet rocking chair. It's made from lightweight aluminium with a wood-effect finish.
Be sure to bring the cushions in at the end of the day to protect them in wet weather.
Steel garden bistro table and chairs
A classic bistro dining set here from John Lewis, durable and with a two year guarantee thrown in. White is a brave option, but there are several other attractive colours available, including olive green, grey and blue.
The lightweight nature of this set means it's easy to pack away, plus the dimensions are perfect for those of us with smaller garden spaces. It has a four-layer electroplated coating, which means it's scratch resistant.
Hay Palissade Chaise Longue
Buy from MOHD (£872.87)
We love this Scandinavian-esque design, which may look a little uncomfortable, but, surprisingly, is actually built in a very ergonomically-friendly way. There's an optional head rest cushion and seat pad, for comfort.
Made from electro-galvanized powder coated steel, it's light and durable and can be left outside all year round.
Read more The go-to garden furniture of designers: why Hay Palissade is just so popular
Loretta metal garden chair
Buy from Fermob
Buy the armchair from MOHD (£323.69)
This metal garden chair fuses traditional with contemporary in its designs and it succeeds very well. The laser cut floral design and Louis XVI style makes it brilliantly eye-catching, and the chair is available in the red ochre seen here as well as green and grey. It has anti UV coating, which means the colour shouldn't fade.
Lois metal garden table
Buy from M&S (£69.30)
It turns out that the M&S metal garden furniture range has lots to offer. This in particular caught our eye: a metal garden coffee table that's unlikely to ever be knocked over. It takes up very little space and the design compliments lots of other options out there at the moment.
To prolong the life of the table, you'll need to store this one inside over winter, but it's lightweight enough to be easy to move about.
Looking for folding tables? See our round-up of the best designs.
Set of two Lois metal garden arm chairs
Buy from M&S (£90.30)
What did we say earlier about the M&S metal garden furniture range? This set of two metal garden armchairs is both a bargain and a big design thumbs up. Circular seats are very a la mode, especially when combined with the weaving effect too.
Don't miss our acapulco chairs round up.
Three seater metal garden bench
While the Hay Palissade metal garden furniture range is one of our favourites, this Habitat alternative is easier on the pockets and just as chic. With a matte painted finish, this bench is built to last all year round in the garden.
The tall back and curved seat means it doesn't need a cushion, although there is the option of adding one if you think it needs it. This outdoor sofa has a manufacturer one year warranty too.
Steel garden rocking chair
How's this for a modern take on an old classic? This garden rocking chair is perfect for sunny snoozy moments and is one of the best deals on this list.
Made from steel, it also stacks well if you buy more than one and you can leave it outside all year round.
Round fire pit metal garden furniture lounge set
Buy from Garden Furniture World (£1,069.00), Keen Gardener (£1,071.00)
A table, four chairs, and... a fire pit? This modern metal garden furniture set comes complete with a versatile hole in the middle of the table, which can become an ice bath for drinks, or a fire to keep you warmer. Ingenious.
You can also put a grill over the top in order to cook your sunny summer meals. There's a five year manufacturing warranty that comes with this one and the cushions repel water during showers, which, let's face it, happen even in the height of summer in this country.
Mosaic bistro metal garden furniture set
Nothing says continental more than a lovely mosaic bistro table and chairs set. And this one is bound to transport you to exotic spots on sunny terraces. There's a choice of three different types of mosaic, Athens (above), Sofia and sunflower.
It comes as a set, two chairs and a table, so is a good option for a smaller budget as well as a small garden.
Take a look at the best garden bar ideas for the perfect drinks party.
Aluminium metal round garden dining set
We've had quite a few quirky, design-conscious options on this list but this one harks back to a simpler aesthetic. If you're looking for a robust, no-frills garden dining set that's easy on the budget, then this may be the right one for you. It's sturdy and attractive and would work beautifully on a patio.
Metal two seater garden bench
Buy from Garden Furniture World (£269.00)
A garden bench to watch the world go round. This two seater metal garden bench is perfect for sunny spots with views. Made of cast aluminium, which means resistant to the elements, the lattice designs give a pleasing contemporary feel to the bench.
The cushion is Weatherready - which repels showers and lets stronger downpours run off it. Although it's weather hardy, they still do recommend a bench cover, to protect it from bird droppings.
Hay Palissade park dining bench
Buy from MOHD (£872.87), Holloways of Ludlow (£1,699.15)
The classic design from Palissade is this park dining bench, which gives a modern, utilitarian feel with an edge and would work in a traditional or contemporary garden. The curved shaped has a lovely natural feel to it and the overall design is two benches in one.
The slats mean no water will collect in it, and it's very unlikely to ever blow over in high winds. This one is olive, but there are a series of lovely colours to choose from.
Loop rope garden sofa
Buy from Holloways of Ludlow (£855.00)
Contemporary rope garden furniture is really in fashion at the moment, and it's not hard to see why. It's comfortable, but looks attractive and modern and this particular design takes its influence from the era of Lloyd Loom.
It's weather resistant and robust and there are chairs and tables to match it.
Metal Cassis four seater garden dining table and chairs
Buy from Garden Furniture World (£799.00)
A sturdy, standard but trustworthy favourite here if you're looking for something to house four guests, but not take up too much space. It's a perfect one for a balcony garden or patio and is lightweight.
The aluminium frames are powder coated and the rope weaving is PVC so can be left outside all year round. Although do bring in the cushion pads.
Find more stylish furniture pieces in our guides to the best outdoor sofas, rattan sets and garden chairs. Alternatively, see our full round-up of the best garden furniture you can buy this year.
