Garden Furniture Buying Guide: What to Look For

Choosing garden furniture isn't just about finding a set that looks good in the sunshine. The right furniture needs to fit your outdoor space, seat the right number of people and cope with everything the British weather can throw at it.

This garden furniture buying guide covers the important decisions, from rattan vs wood and weatherproofing to seating capacity, furniture covers and spotting good-quality construction.

The best garden furniture is the set that suits your space, how many people you need to seat and how much maintenance you're willing to do. Synthetic rattan is low-maintenance and weather-resistant, while wood offers a natural look but usually needs more care. Always check frame quality, dimensions and weather protection before buying.

How to Choose the Best Garden Furniture

The best garden furniture for you depends less on what's fashionable and more on how you'll actually use your outdoor space.

Before buying, consider:

• How many people you regularly need to seat
• Whether you'll mainly dine, relax or entertain
• How much patio or decking space is available
• Whether furniture can be stored over winter
• How much maintenance you're happy to do
• Whether you need cushions and somewhere to store them
• How exposed your garden is to rain, sun and wind

For example, a large dining set might be ideal for a family garden, while a compact bistro set can make much better use of a balcony or small patio.

Once you know how you'll use the space, you can browse garden furniture by size and style rather than simply choosing the first set that catches your eye.

What's the Best Outdoor Furniture Material?

The best outdoor furniture material depends on your priorities. Synthetic rattan is low-maintenance, wood offers a natural look, and metal can provide excellent durability.

Rattan Garden Furniture

Most outdoor rattan furniture is made from a synthetic weave designed to better withstand outdoor conditions. It's easy to clean, relatively low-maintenance and well suited to patios, decking and garden sofa sets.

For better durability, check that the frame underneath is sturdy and corrosion-resistant.

Wooden Garden Furniture

Wooden garden furniture brings a warmer, more natural feel to a garden and works particularly well alongside planting, decking and traditional outdoor spaces.

Different woods need different levels of maintenance. Hardwood furniture can be highly durable, but timber generally benefits from cleaning and appropriate treatments to help protect its appearance and condition. The RHS recommends keeping furniture feet away from persistently wet ground where possible and maintaining timber appropriately.

Wood is particularly good for:

• Traditional gardens
• Garden dining tables
• Natural-looking spaces
• Long-term furniture when properly maintained
• Gardens where furniture can be covered or stored

Metal Garden Furniture

Metal is another practical option, particularly aluminium.

Powder-coated aluminium is widely used for outdoor furniture because it combines relatively low weight with strong resistance to outdoor moisture and weathering.

It's particularly useful if you want furniture that's easy to move around or prefer a cleaner, more contemporary look.

Rattan vs Wood Garden Furniture: Which Is Better?

Rattan is usually the better choice for low maintenance, while wood suits those who prefer a more natural, traditional look.