Garden Furniture - this may be the wrong place

[worldgonecrazy]

I'm not sure where to post about garden furniture? I am looking for some reasonably priced good quality furniture.

Is that pie in the sky or is it possible to find garden furniture that is durable, weather proof, will look good in 10 years and doesn't cost in the four figures for a table and 6 chairs?

Marking place as I have the same shopping list!
Oh and a question: can you leave rattan outside in the winter?

Ikea do some nice outdoor stuff that's really excellent quality for the price.

Oh, and I put all the furniture away over the winter, even teak. It is just too wet here and I hate the job of cleaning off algae!!

I have nowhere to store it so that's not an option for me.

In that case, maybe get a cover and definitely not real rattan, because it will rot. You can get rattan effect stuff that is plastic, but it's not nearly as nice and I worry that it would be hard to clean.

OK would teak be better?

PS thank you for your advice, I am clueless but very enthusiastic!

Yeah, a hardwood would look great and give you more robustness. If it weathers a bit, it'll still look decent rather than doing that awful thing that plastic does when it's kept outside of changing colour slightly. Bear in mind that it has to be treated every year to keep it looking good if it's outdoors all the time, even if it's teak - but this is not an arduous job - think an afternoon pottering with a paintbrush!

I like the IKEA Applaro wooden range.

I have the smaller folding table (my patio is tiny!) but I covet the one that seats 4-8. It has two folding end sections

I would personally choose the folding ('recliner') style chairs over the armchair type/ benches. They're a bit more space saving when not in use and still comfy. I can lean them against the table or in the shed too over winter.

I've seen the set on eBay locally from time to time so worth checking.

IKEA also sell the stain too, called 'Varda'.

I have a bench from this range and it's maintenance free. Mine has been outdoors all winter and still looks as new

www.gardencentreshopping.co.uk/benches-winawood-all-weather/table-chair-sets

It's getting near your 4 figures though

I also have a jamie Oliver table and 6 chairs which wasn't cheap

Wilkinson have a wooden set (table and four folding chairs) for £100. Table is 90x90cm so not massive but reviews are positive.

Invest in a cover, lightly sand and oil it every year and it ought to stay decent.

Wilko

The Wilko oval set with six sturdy wooden folding chairs is £150 - just seen it set up in store, looks nice