Garden furniture

[kingofchaos]

Can anyone recommend where I can look for good quality, affordable garden furniture, please?

I wish I could because I’m looking for some too. We bought an outdoor sofa from wayfair a few years ago because we couldn’t afford the super expensive ones, and it didn’t last well. It seems you have to spend a serious amount of money and cover it very well. We are thinking of building our own chairs, I just want two wooden ones but they’re pricey too. I’ll follow to see if anyone here can offer you ( or me! ) any suggestions. What’s your budget?

Thanks @Whaeanui

I haven't really thought about budget. Wayfair was one of the places I was thinking of looking.. not great quality though you say?

I think I remember posts about garden furniture from somewhere like B&Q or Homebase a few years ago that were decent quality and not too expensive. It always seemed to be sold out! Or am I imagining it??

My experience is that it can be a false economy to buy the more budget friendly stuff as it doesn't have the quality to last well.

We bit the bullet by buying a Gloster faux rattan table and four chairs set in 2015 and eight years on it looks like new, despite not using a cover in winter. The cushions are water proof but we do bring those in over the winter months. Iirc it was about £2600.

Last year we purchased a FeatureDeco poly rattan corner sofa that was a bit less expensive (but still in excess of £1000). It's of good quality with lovely deep cushions and came with a cover for winter (which we didn't use). So far it seems to be standing up well, but it's under cover so not exposed to the worst of the weather like the Gloster is.

I'd avoid unbranded sets and go for aluminium framed furniture (even if covered in poly rattan) or timber. It's not much help now, but often you can find discounted decent brands on ebay at the end of the season...returns etc. We also looked at buying gently used second hand high end branded furniture but there was nothing local to us that we liked.

Forgot to say, we also have a B&Q egg chair (just about seats two at a squeeze!) that is good for snuggling up with a book. It's going into its third summer and - apart from fading slightly - is looking OK still. Some similar furniture I've seen reports of the feet rusting, but despite being in a fairly wet location (and again we don't cover it), we've not experienced that issue. It was around £400 and they do - or at least did when we got ours - other matching pieces.

@LibertyLily thank you, it’s pretty much what I realised and as we have a little bit more money these days I’m trying to save for a decent sofa for the garden because you’re right, it’s a waste to buy cheap stuff and I always see it being given away.

If possible, start saving and spend a bit more. I’ve done the rattan-effect in the past - they look ok, but cushion storage is an issue. And, if your storage is outside, the cushions often still get mould spores on them.

I finally went with a corner unit from Maze from their outdoor fabric range. The frames are aluminium, so don’t rust. And the cushions really are ok left out in all weathers. No running outside when it rains to gather them all up! I went for a set with a rising table - so can be used as a coffee table or raised to dining table height. Am really pleased with it, definitely worth saving up for.

IKEA. I've got a bistro set and chairs that is 10 years old. It's predominantly kept in the shed and sanded, oiled occasionally which makes a difference.

we've just bought the colorado coffee set from B&Q, quite reasonably priced and seems pretty comfy, only just got it though so no idea as to longevity / how it'll fair, but we have got the space to put in the shed over winter.

Try the LG outlet-we bought a corner sofa and adjustable dining table there for about £700 off. Think it was £1200. LG outdoor is really good quality-aluminium frame and realistic rattan.

The only way to make the cheapest stuff last a bit better is to buy the wooden folding chairs and then paint them. I painted some using Cuprinol shades (quick and easy) and they actually lasted several years (although I did bring them in over winter). In retrospect, painting them with proper outdoor class, paint would've probably been even better, but taken much longer.

I would love to buy a decent set, but they run into thousands. It is extraordinary how expensive good quality outdoor furniture is!

Oh it is, it seems like you have to spend thousands to get something that isn’t crap!

I have got two of these and they are lovely and comfortable and lasting v well (although live in the greenhouse over winter). Much chunkier and noticeable quality than other wood furniture.

www.alexander-rose.co.uk/bengal-roble-folding-carver/

About £225 each so not cheap- I bought one one year and another the next (when everyone else kept knicking the first one so I never got to sit on it!) - by the time I'm sixty I might have a full set...

I have bought the modular sofa set from John lewis and its great - it is good value compared to other aluminium framed sets. I also bough the waterproof covers so no need to drag the cushions in although I will store these over winter

I bought my aluminium sun loungers from MAze Living. They look amazing and are very comfortable. Can be left outside all year round

https://www.gardencentreshopping.co.uk/ is one online store that I've had good experiences with. They have a pretty wide range of garden furniture catering to diverse tastes and budgets. I purchased a rattan sofa set from them, and it's held up well.

I know this is a little late, but just in case you didn't get round to buying your garden furniture last year. I bought some outdoor furniture from a brand called Alexander Rose last Summer and I have just started getting it ready for this summer. I must say it is slightly more expensive than your typical garden centre furniture but the quality is miles ahead. It's weighty, strong and just more comfortable than cheaper alternatives. I'm thinking of getting a matching lounger this summer.

Update.

I've just ordered what's called a Steamer chair instead of a lounger. It doesn't lay flat completely but it's more suited to what I was looking for and it matches my garden furniture from last year. It's the same make (Alexander Rose) so I know it will be good quality.

I bought it online from the same company as last year, who appear to be really good. Tincleton Lifestyle.

Here's their website https://www.gardenfurnitureandinteriors.co.uk

Hey, not sure if you've heard of them but Tony Ward are a smaller UK company who make it all handmade so the quality is really good!
https://www.tonywardfurniture.co.uk/

I know about Teak Garden Furniture Outlet. They offer very good quality products at affordable prices. You can get discounts on a variety of items, including rattan and teak furniture.

Website: https://teakgardenfurnitureoutlet.co.uk/