Garden furniture - why so expensive?!

I thought the same until I started looking secondhand, but then I also came across this site and found some decent deals compared to what I was seeing elsewhere. Still not dirt cheap, but at least you can find sets that don’t feel like a total rip-off. Some of the clearance stuff is worth checking out too.

I have bought expensive and it didn't last. I now just buy cheap and renew every few years.

Totally agree, and find it ridiculous too.

We got ours on Groupon for a sensible price and, surprisingly, it was really good quality. It's last about 5 years so far and the cushions could do with a refresh, but compared to the price of similar in e.g. garden centres it was well worht it.

I've also got a Kettler dining set: a metal mesh table and 4 chairs. It's been outside uncovered since we bought during lockdown in 2020. Looks like new still (in fact the blurb advised not to cover it up).

But, my word, its all exploded in price . We bought ours for around £450 ish - that was pushing it, but choice was limited and the wait was long back in lockdown. The same set now retails for around £700. Couldn't believe it.

Totally agree. What also annoys me is that one of the reasons we bought it is because we have a teak garden bench my mum and dad bought more than half a century ago and it's still in amazing condition and rock solid. Realise it's not the wood it's the crap workmanship and glue vs proper joints.

We bought a teak table and chairs set when we sorted our garden out (for the first time 😂) about 10 years ago. It cost more than our indoor set and were told it would last us for absolutely years. Now, we do still have it but it’s absolutely fucked and has been for about 4 years but until it actually breaks and it unusable it is staying!
We were looking for an outdoor sofa set, wood not rattan. Saw something that appealed, was 2.5K and the cushions were an additional 1.5K! We are looking again. Don’t actually mind paying the money for quality that will last. It’s when it’s shit and looks crap after a years use that I get cross.

Our metal coffee set (2/3 seater sofa and 2 armchairs with glass-topped coffee table) is 9 years old and going strong. We have a storage box for the cushions and I replaced the cushion pads with denser foam after a couple of years as the originals went flat. The set was £349.00 in 2014 and the foam was £112.00 in 2016. The frames still look great once they’ve been cleaned each spring/summer, as they get mouldy over the winter!

Look on gumtree, noone checks it anymore. last week I bought a 6 seater table and chairs and parasol for a tenner, great condition, comfortable. Nothing fancy but we don't need fancy. Really pleased with it.

That’s unlucky. Mine went together perfectly easily and is well made and incredibly comfortable.
No reason why it shouldn’t last as long as a more expensive one when treated with Danish oil every year.

We have alway bought garden furniture in the sale, our last set was a couple of years ago in M&S sale, usually late summer. Demand will be high at the moment because of the weather

We bought a cheap garden table and chairs from B&Q. Table wouldn't assemble - screws in wrong places, etc. Finally bought more expensive table and chairs - and they have been so worth it! Much better quality. So I think you get what you pay for.

You have such a choice of garden furniture in the UK.
Here in Ireland not so much.
The rattan offerings here at my price level are either brown or grey. I don't want more grey in my life

We got this set last year, it's lasted well through the winter and is nice quality. The cushions are really comfy, in the summer evenings I prefer it to our sofas!

www.outandout.com/palma-lounge-set-bundles

We bought our outdoor wooden table and chairs from John Lewis 15 years ago and they are only just showing signs of age. I should probably use teak oil on everything.

I can recommend keeping an eye on Wayfair Open Box Deals. Basically it is returned Wayfair items or slow selling items. I got a patio sofa/chaise & glass table for £250 a couple of years ago. I can't spot anything wrong with it so Ive no idea why it got returned - but what a bargain.

We’ve just ordered from here: https://clubrattan.co.uk/

It’s not come yet but hopefully it’s as amazing as it looks!

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/sjaelland-table-6-chairs-w-armrests-outdoor-light-brown-light-grey-s19265199/
we have the earlier grey version of this which is all aluminium and is in as new condition after 5 years

https://charlestaylortrading.com/

We have a few pieces from there. Treat it every couple of years and it lasts really well. It's super comfy and very well made for the price.

It's not cheap, crappy stuff but it's not £1000's either. It's a really good middle ground.

I totally agree and had the same conversation with a friend last year! That said we did treat ourselves to some decent quality stuff and I have to say I do love it. The top of the table is really good quality and it’s got weight to it so not flimsy. It will never get left out in the garden all winter though, I am definitely looking after it well for what it cost!

https://www.costco.co.uk/Garden-Sheds-Patio/Garden-Furniture/Garden-Benches-Tables/c/cos_9.8.6

Costco have some good quality outdoor furniture. We bought a garden bench about 7 years ago. It's still in great condition, robust, no splits, proper heavy duty. No idea what the price would be now but I think it was £299 when we bought it.

I think it's £30 for the little bistro table and £20 each for the chairs