When it comes to garden furniture, there's a huge amount on offer, so buying the right piece for you will depend on a mixture of things: your style, your space and your seasons.
If you're looking for garden furniture which you don't have to pack away over the winter, then going for metal garden furniture makes a lot of sense. There's much less of a need to worry about maintenance than with wood or other natural materials. Metal is hardy, and can offer alluring designs with a modern edge. In fact, using modern metal furniture is also a good way of transforming the feel and look 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 out there, it's best to look for something that will make a statement, while also offering extras that you will love each time you come to use it: an inbuilt fire pit? A lazy susan on the dining table? A swing chair? Whatever it is, make sure it works for your garden.
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 lounge chairs, to dining sets to day beds.
Don't miss our round up of acapulco chairs, or the best folding tables to buy.
The best modern metal garden furniture 2024
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. The dimensions are: table = (H) 71cm (Diam) 61cm, chair = (H) 89.5cm (W) 48cm (D) 37cm. The square chair seats are comfortable enough, but there's also room to purchase a cushion or two, for a little extra luxury.
Take a look at the best garden bar ideas for the perfect drinks party.
Metal patio outdoor garden dining set
If you're looking for a large metal garden dining set, this one has promise. Made primarily of aluminium, the chair fabrics are made from Textilene, a woven polyester, which means the elements shouldn't make much of a dent on any part of this set, but there's comfort built in. Aluminium is lightweight, so these are easy to transport and the chairs are easily stackable. The rectangle table has a hole for a parasol, in case extra shade is needed, and the chair arms are wooden, which offers a little hint of something natural in the mix.
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: chairs: H81 x W42.5 x D43cm, table: H74 x W70 x D50cm. It has a four-layer electroplated coating, which means its scratch resistant.
Hay Palissade Chaise longue Olive
- Buy now from Utility Design (£641.25)
We love this Scandinavian-esque design, which may look a little uncomfortable, but, surprisingly, is actually built in a very ergonomically-friendly way. There is, however, an optional head rest cushion and seat pad, for comfort. It's light and durable and can be left outside all year round. The size is H : 70cm; W: 65.5cm; D:164.5cm and it's made from electro-galvanized powder coated steel.
- Buy now from Utility Design (£641.25)
Loretta metal garden chair
- Buy now from Amara (£269)
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.
- Buy now from Amara (£269)
Lois metal garden table
- Buy now from M&S (£99)
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.
- Buy now from M&S (£99)
Set of two Lois metal garden arm chairs
- Buy now from M&S (£119)
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. The dimensions are: seat height: 42 cm, height: 80.5 cm, width: 70 cm, depth: 61 cm. Don't miss our acapulco chairs round up.
Three seater metal garden bench
- Buy now from Habitat (£140)
While the 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.
- Buy now from Habitat (£140)
Steel garden rocking chair
- Buy now from Argos (£85)
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 better 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. The maximum user weight is 110kg and its size comes in at H87.5, W55.5, D87.5cm.
Metal Cassis four seater garden dining table and chairs
A sturdy, standard, but a 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.
Kettler Elba garden daybed
- Buy now from Inside Out living (1,499)
Garden leisure time should be all about lounging, and we love the luxury of this large day bed, which serves as a lounger, a seat, a side table all in one. The square canopy means you can be protected from the sun and the modern design means you can move the day bed in all sorts of options, including two interlocking loungers which recline opposite one another. It's rust resistant, although the canopy and cushions need to be moved inside at night and in winter.
Round fire pit metal garden furniture lounge set
- Buy now from Garden4Less (£1,649)
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.
- Buy now from Garden4Less (£1,649)
Luxembourg low metal garden table
- Buy now from Amara (£325)
An eye-catching, beautifully designed garden table, which would work perfectly in a small garden or patio. The honey colour is just one of several vibrant options, all of which have an anti-UV powder coating and good quality protective treatment. What we also love about this piece of metal garden furniture is that it can be both a chair and a bench.
- Buy now from Amara (£325)
Aluminium metal round garden dining set
- Buy now from Wayfair (£455.99)
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.
- Buy now from Wayfair (£455.99)
Metal two seater garden bench
- Buy now from Inside Out Living (£299)
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.
- Buy now from Inside Out Living (£299)
Metal garden black rattan single swing chair
- Buy now from VonHouse (£224.99)
- Buy now from VonHouse (£224.99)
Somewhere between a hammock and a garden chair, this hanging black rattan-style metal chair is one of those buys you'll likely never regret. You can lounge, curl up, or sit up and watch from it, and the swinging movement will ensure total relaxation. It's freestanding, so very easy to move from spot to spot in your garden and the basket is easily packed away in winter, when not in use. Perfect for a balcony, small garden on woodland nook.
Hay Palissade park dining bench
- Buy now from Utility Design (£1,795)
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.
- Buy now from Utility Design (£1,795)
Loop rope garden sofa
- Buy now from The Worm that Turned (£899)
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.
- Buy now from The Worm that Turned (£899)
