You'll want to get your garden furniture out season after season, so it's worth spending the time to make sure you get it just right. Whether you’re planning garden get-togethers, going al-fresco with family and friends, or just enjoying the warmer days, we’ll take you through how to make the most of your outdoor space. 

Finding the right fit
Choosing the right furniture for your outdoor area can make a real difference – whether you've got a big garden or a small patio to play with.

If you’re after some space-saving solutions, folding chairs or extending tables are a great and versatile idea (plus they're perfect for when unexpected guests pop round!).

Choosing the right garden furniture
When the sun's shining (or when it isn't raining, at least), your garden is an extra space you can use as an open-air living room, dining room or playroom. Dining tables, bistro sets or statement seats make a great focal point to plan everything else around – but with plenty of options to choose from, which one should you go for and why?

If you love summer lounging (preferably with a cool drink in hand), a reclining chair or two will transform your lawn into a laid-back heaven. Never get a moment to yourself? The summer weather might be an unexpected ally. A garden bench or an egg chair tucked away in a secluded spot can work wonders for a little me-time. A table and chairs set is your best bet for turning your patio into a sunny social space for garden gatherings, big and small.

Furniture for small to medium gardens
Space-saving bistro sets, with a compact table and folding chairs, work brilliantly in smaller areas – they're easy to put away and store, so you can flex as you go. And, of course, they're the perfect place to enjoy a coffee on a sunny morning. Try a statement design to make your petite space pack a stylish punch.

Furniture for large to medium gardens
Bigger gardens give you more options, so it’s time to get creative – whether you’re kicking back on a garden sofa or gathering the whole family round a large outdoor dining table. You might want to divide your garden into different areas for entertaining and relaxing. You could use dining and conversation sets (like the one shown here) to define distinct zones, or add a bench, hammock or swing set for somewhere you can really relax.

Rattan-effect outdoor furniture
Made of durable, low-maintenance polyethylene, this material is designed to look and feel like traditional rattan but has the advantage of being weatherproof.
Can be used indoors, outdoors and in conservatories
Durable and weather resistant
Woven around rust-resistant aluminum frames
Easy to clean using a hose or wet cloth
UV and mould resistant
Can be left outside, but it'll last longer if you keep it inside over winter
Store any cushions inside over winter and in wet weather
Comfy with or without cushions
Wooden outdoor furniture
Strong and durable with a natural-look anti-corrosive coating
Store all cushions away in wet weather and through winter
Easy to clean with soap and water
Long lasting with good care
Benefits from annual treatment to protect against the weather
Should be covered or stored through winter

Metal outdoor furniture
Aluminium and steel furniture is rust resistant. Other metals might need an anti-corrosive coating
Aluminium costs less and it's lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, but it tends to need more care
Steel furniture tends to cost more and be heavier to carry, but it's more durable
Easy to clean with soap and water
Best covered or stored away in winter
Plastic/Resin outdoor furniture
Affordable, lightweight and weather resistant
Tends to be stackable, so it's compact to store
Comes in a wide range of styles and colours
Easy to clean
Storing it away over winter will help it last longer
Needs minimal assembly
Ideal for kids’ furniture

Garden furniture accessories
For safety and comfort, it's important to create a shady area in your garden. Gazebos are perfect for a shaded sanctuary you can escape to during the hottest hours of the day, so you can still enjoy the glorious weather.

Garden furniture sets usually come with a hole in the centre of the table to fit a garden parasol pole through (just make sure you use a weighted base to fit your parasol into). If you’d like shade over a conversation set – or somewhere else in your garden, for an area to read or play in – a cantilever parasol gives you shelter from the sun with no need for a central pole.
Garden lighting
Part finishing touch, part necessity, garden lighting means your outdoor time isn't limited to daylight hours. Wall-mounted garden lights connected to the mains will give you enough brightness to take care of tasks like taking the bins out – without tripping over anything.

For a softer glow that's more suited to entertaining and relaxing, solar lights are a great option. Low maintenance and easy to install, solar garden lighting comes in a range of styles and colours, so you can find something that's just right for your space. Just angle your solar panel in the sunniest direction – and when light levels drop, your lights will come on automatically.