Best garden furniture for 2023: Stylish sets from top brands

For four to five months of the year, it’s a no-go zone but when spring, summer and early autumn hit, that’s when your garden can be used as a viable living space. For those with patio or decking, we like this lounge-style set, which can seat up to five of your favourite people. Comprising two arm chairs and a three-seater sofa complemented with durable, weatherproof cushions, the set is completed with a low coffee table for all-important drinks and snacks.

Last year, it was nigh-on impossible to get your hands on a hanging egg chair, despite seemingly being sold everywhere. Don’t make the same mistake for summer 2023; get your hands on one early and spare yourself the disappointment. This model from The Range gives the comfort and lazy appeal of a hammock paired with the security and cosiness of an armchair. Perch it in a sun-dappled corner and watch guests fight over who gets to sit in it first.

Your very own home bar inspired by the tropics – every hour is destined to be a happy one with this set ready to go in your garden. The steel frame bar comes with a set of stools, all wrapped in rattan to make it feel and look natural in an outdoor setting. Durable and with a shatterproof bar top, the piece will steal the show at every BBQ and garden party you throw from now until October. Requires self-assembly.

Made for luxe entertaining and opulent solo-lounging, this generous monochrome PE rattan sofa set cleverly slides together to form one massive daybed or pulls apart when you’ve got guests over to provide adequate seating. It’s perfect for the outdoors with powder-coated and rust-resistant steel to help it weather wear and tear. The cushion covers are machine washable and there’s a built-in canopy to protect you and it from wind, rain and shine. If you’ve the space to spare, you’ll love it.

Size: 2.7m

Best for: understated glamour

Offered in a choice of pale green, grey and cream, bring Bali-style elegance to your outdoor space with this option from Hashtag Home. Operate it easily with the crank lift and tilt mechanism, and bask in the compliments rolling in from the design, which includes a peaked top and beaded drops fringing for a touch of glamour. Base not included.

Turbo charge your small space with a sophisticated bistro set, like this design crafted by expert Charles Bentley. Made from natural wicker and finished with a cushion pad to make things more comfortable, the two-seater set offers a chic and relatively inexpensive way to get your garden seating up to scratch. It does require construction, so dust the DIY kit down – at least you’ll have a lovely spot to sit once you’re finished.

Give your outdoor space a playfully arty vibe with the help of these multi-coloured outdoor cushions from design maestro Habitat. Made with a 100 per cent cover over a polyester filling, it’s an easy way to spike your garden with bright bursts of colour.

Seats: 10

Fancy a bit of theatre with your dinner? Head to Moda Furnishings, where you can pick up this dramatic dining set from the Talia collection, complete with an integrated fire pit to keep you toasty on chillier nights.

The set includes a smart six-seater sofa, a matching bench and a footstool, giving you greater lounging settings. You can get 10 of your favourite faces around the ceramic glass top table, and there’s no need to get in a bother if the heavens open – the cushions are wrapped in 100 per cent weatherproof fabric.

Create a cosy al fresco dining experience with these 70s-inspired cane chairs. There are two in the set and they come complete with a table too that has a glass top. The hard-wearing construction comes from the PE rattan material and the black steel legs that brings a contemporary takes on the retro feel. Chic.

Seats: 8

A compact option is ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. There’s no need to miss out on weekend brunch in a garden setting thanks to Argos which offers this eight-seater dining set. When packed away, it measures just 110 x 110 x 75cm, somewhat of a magic trick when you consider it holds four stools and four chairs under the square table.

Size: 1.6m Best for: Garden party shelter

Thought Ryan was just for office stationery? Think again! The store offers a surprising number of homewares online, including this pretty two-tiered parasol that comes with a scallop trim. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, garden parties or shade for the little ones as they play outside in the heat, the device offers a two direction tilt mechanism and a crank handle for quick set-up. Weighs 6kg.

Seats: 4

Made for small families or groups, this four seater dining bench set with a matching table is a blank canvas that you can dress up or down as the occasion suits. If you’re looking at all that wood and mentally sighing at the hours of maintenance it’ll require, think again. Both table and benches are finished with a synthetic faux-wood material, resulting in a luxurious effect without continuous care. What’s more, both benches tuck neatly under the table, allowing you to reclaim your space when you’re not using it. Tidy.

Create your own personal paradise with soft furnishings from leading interior guru Jonathan Adler. Lauded for his playful designs, this washable outdoor cushion plucks inspiration from the original backyard, the Garden of Eden, with a geo-print serpent lazily snaking his way around a bright orange backdrop.

Add a pared-back yet ultra-chic Scandi-style sun-soaking hotspot to your garden with this bleached acacia wood and rattan weave lounge chair and footstool. The synthetic weave mimics the look of rattan but is durable to suit the outdoor life; it’s also a super-comfy perch for your posterior.

Kick back and put your feet up, or use the footstool as a coffee (or cocktail) table as you need. The only problem? You might have to share it with your other half on the odd occasion – if you’re feeling really generous.

Petite outdoor spaces and smaller gardens can still accommodate sofa sets – just on a more compact scale. This lounge set from George Home manages to blend the pretty and the practical perfectly – its black frame offers a cool industrial edge and is corrosion-resistant, while the polyrattan weave is also waterproof. Pull up a pew.

Got a beautiful balcony you want to make the most of? IKEA’s Sundso table and chairs set is ideal – it folds away when not in use, and is coated with a wipe-clean finish that doesn’t require maintenance. Add the striped Sommaflader tablecloth to create a stunning al fresco dining scene on a small scale. Pretty, huh?

The beauty of this bistro set is its versatility. There’s a higher table for al fresco meals putting your BBQ delight within easy reach. It’s topped with glass to make cleaning easy. The chairs recline and there’s foot rests too for unmatched lounging. Perfection.