5 quick tips to clean your patio and decking
16 May 2024
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If you're looking to buy outdoor seating or sun loungers for the first time, you need to think about who will be using them, how much they cost, what they're made from and how they look.
To help you choose, we've listed the most common seating designs, along with the pros and cons.
We've also highlighted various features to look out for, and listed some of the popular retailers to buy your garden furniture from.
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Here are some of the most important questions to think about before you buy:
Below we've rounded up some of the most popular high street stores and websites that sell garden furniture.
Remember to check the returns policy and any warranties before you buy.
Picking the right garden furniture will depend on your budget, style preference and size of outdoor space. Below you will find the main types available:
Pros
Cons
You don't have to go abroad to enjoy time on a sun lounger – if you have a garden with a sunny spot, it might be worth buying your own. The most basic can cost as little as £20, while bespoke offerings can set you back a few hundred pounds.
At their most basic, sun loungers comprise a metal frame with a polyester back and seat. You can also find wood or rattan models in contemporary designs, which may include cushions and drinks holders.
Pros
Cons
There aren't many things in life that feel as quintessentially British as a stripy folding deckchair. Synonymous with trips to the seaside, this type of outdoor seating is widely available for around £20, although you can occasionally find them for £10 or less.
Deckchairs are traditionally made from wood and canvas fabric, and it's their simplicity that makes them so popular. As with sun loungers, you'll need somewhere to store them when not in use but they don't take up as much room.
Pros
Cons
Recliners are somewhere between sun loungers and garden chairs. They're a popular design if you like to sit upright but might also want to rest or snooze in a more horizontal position. On many models, you simply lift the armrests to recline the chair, although this depends on the design. Some models come with adjustable footrests.
Prices range from around £40 in some high street stores, to hundreds of pounds for higher-end models. They're sometimes sold in matching pairs.
Pros
Cons
If you thought beds were confined to the bedroom, think again – day beds have been finding their way into gardens as part of a growing trend.
A day bed starts at around £200 for a basic design, but prices can jump to well over £1,000 for a premium model.
Pros
Cons
If you're looking for more traditional outdoor seating, a bench might be the answer. Often made of wood, metal or plastic, they come in a wide range of designs, from handmade bespoke to flat-pack options straight off the production line.
Prices can start from less than £100 from high street stores and go up to a few hundred pounds.
Pros
Cons
Garden sofas are becoming increasingly popular, as people opt for outdoor furniture that's more comfortable than hard chairs around a patio table. Garden sofas essentially allow people to lounge outside when it's warm, and are brilliant for entertaining guests.
There's a huge variety of designs in terms of materials, sizes, colours and shapes. Prices start at around £300 and can go up to £2,000 for luxury options.
Pros
Cons
For many people, the ultimate relaxation experience is lying back in a hammock watching the clouds drift by overhead. And you don't need two large tree trunks to tie a hammock to, as some options come with a freestanding metal frame.
If getting in and out of a hammock sounds like hard work, there are plenty of alternatives, such as hanging egg chairs, or more traditional swing chairs. Hammocks can cost as little as £10, with swinging egg chairs typically costing £150-£250.
Pros
Cons
A garden rocking chair can add a whimsical vibe to your outdoor area. They're typically made from wood, wicker or plastic, and prices start from around £80.
Want to know more about materials, furnishings and covers? Read our guide to garden furniture
The great thing about sun loungers and outdoor seating is that you can pick up something basic for a relatively low price.
Outdoor seating made from plastic, steel, aluminium and softwoods such as pine help to keep the cost down. Of course, plastic isn't as durable as pricier hardwood or rattan, nor is it eco-friendly. So, if you’re looking for a long-term investment, you’ll need to spend a little more.
At many high street stores, you can pick up a basic sun lounger for as little as £25, or an egg chair for less than £300. Lots of supermarkets including Aldi and Asda also offer value-for-money seating.
Another option is buying second hand on sites such as Ebay and Gumtree. Occasionally you might find people giving away items for free if you're able to collect.
Before you shop, read our guide to buying second-hand online, and know your rights when buying second-hand.
Using cushions or sun lounger-specific mattresses can offer several benefits.
Not only do they make your furniture more comfortable, you can you customise the colour or style of your sun lounger at the drop of a hat . A mattress or cushions will also help protect your outdoor seating from sun damage, keeping them looking fresher for longer.
Durability is an important factor when deciding what to buy. How they withstand wear, pressure or damage will affect how long your outdoor furniture stays in good shape – and much of this is down to the material they're made from. Here are some of the more durable materials to look out for:
We run through the pros and cons of each of the materials above in our garden furniture buying guide
Here are some extra features to look out for:
Take outdoor entertaining to the next level by investing in a pizza oven, barbecue or fire pit
Zero-gravity sun loungers are designed to give people a feeling of weightlessness, and help them reach a deeper level of relaxation. They have more in common with recliners than sun beds, as they tip backwards from a sitting position.
The idea is that as the lounger tips backwards, it lifts your legs and feet above your heart and spreads your weight across your whole body. Zero-gravity sun loungers were allegedly invented by Nasa to find ways of relieving the stress on an astronaut's body as they launched into outer space.
Prices for sun loungers and outdoor seating vary hugely. While some cost thousands of pounds, there are usually lower-priced alternatives available.
If you want to keep warm while relaxing in your new outdoor lounger, then a patio heater could be a worthwhile investment. See our guide to the best patio heaters for more information
Outdoor seating cushions come in a range of colours and styles that can add character and brighten up your space. They're also great for providing comfort and stability when you're relaxing outside.
It's important that cushions are the correct size and have ties so they don't slither around when you're sitting or lying down.
You'll probably want cushions that are waterproof and resistant to fading if they're going to be in the sun for long periods. Generally, acrylic, polyester, olefin and textilene are all good materials for outdoor cushions.
Prices vary, and obviously depend on how many cushions you need. Basic cushions can cost as little as £5, but if you want bespoke items then you could pay substantially more.
Among the most searched-for retailers for outdoor cushions are Amazon, Ikea and John Lewis.
If you're into DIY or enjoy being creative, have you thought about making your own outdoor sofa? It might sound complicated, but there are some clever designs that require minimum effort. One idea shared widely on social media requires just three pallets, some outdoor paint and a drill with some decent screws.
If you're renovating your garden and fancy splashing out, take a look at our hot tub buying guide