Search online for the perfect outdoor furniture
Your house is filled with furniture you love - give your garden the same attention. Metal, wood, concrete? Green fingered experts share tips and advice on what to consider when buying garden furniture. Also, don't miss this week's online discounts!
1. Hard case
'If buying wood, avoid anything that isn't hardwood,' advises gardening expert Julie Humphreys of Crocus. 'And always buy wood from a sustainable origin!' So think ash, teak, oak and walnut. This classic Vista table and chair from John Lewis are made from FSC-certified cumaru wood, a hardwood which is well-suited to the outdoors and the elements. Sturdy structure, elegant design and guilt free indulgence. Bliss.
2. All-weather rattan
'Rattan, both natural and 'man-made' is definitely the in-vogue furniture,' says Jon Holloway, of outdoor furniture specialists Garden Trading. Soak up the sun in style with this weatherproof rattan chair (£149.99) from Garden Furniture Centre.
3. Summer style
'Metal is popular due to being more weather resistant and hard wearing with less need for protection and re-oiling,' says Humphreys. The mesh kettler royal table (£195.73) from Crocus epitomises stylish outdoor living. Plus it is the perfect size for entertaining.
4. Country charm
'Benches which are space saving seem to be more popular than an array of chairs around a table,' says Jon Holloway. Ideal for a city garden is this elegant teak bench (£300) from Raw Garden. 'If you cannot store furniture away in the winter I would use classic teak or ash,' advises Holloway. 'Good quality teak will never go out of fashion.'
5. Flexible friends
'How about having a table that can be used indoors in the winter and then taken outdoors in the summer?' suggests Holloway. Celebrate the Iron Age with this black metal garden table (£45.97) from Graham and Green - an unusual and beautiful combination of lightweight oval-shaped table with scrolled legs and heart backed chairs.
6. Sit soft
Want to up the comfort factor in your garden? Treat your garden as an outdoor living room and choose a sofa. Recline in style on this Kubik outdoor sofa (£1,900.43) from Go Modern, made from synthetic rattan, described as 'virtually indestructible'. Its cushions are upholstered in weatherproof fabric.
7. The slick combo
If wooden furniture is too cumbersome, then think about a combining it with other materials. This Milano round outdoor table (£96.89) from Heal's unites the benefits of stylish and durable teak with lightweight and modern aluminium. You'll be able to move it around your garden at your whim.
8. The statement piece
Just because garden chairs need to be hard-wearing doesn't mean they can't be beautiful. Cutting edge brand Arper proves this with its decorative leaf chair (£248.80) available at Nest. Constructed of steel, it also comes with a veined effect polyurethane cushion for added comfort.
9. Practical magic
If space is tight, choose something lightweight and flexible. This Fiesta chair (now £62.40, was £78) from The Conran Shop adjusts to five different positions and can be folded flat and stashed away when not in use.
10. Top table
Don't stop at dining tables and chairs. Complete the outdoor living room effect with a coffee table. This Rondo table from Go Modern will make your garden tea parties the hot ticket.
