Whether you have a large garden lawn with decking or a tiny outdoor space should definitely not be overlooked if you’re giving your home a summer makeover.
If you're getting your garden ready for summer, start by investing in some of this season’s best dining table, picnic bench and bistro set buys, then turn your attention towards colourful parasols, dreamy hammocks and comfy sun loungers.
With the right garden furniture you can transform your outdoor area into a space that’s tailor-made for relaxing and unwinding. To make the final result even more special, style your furniture with some hardy outdoor cushions or placed on top of an outdoor rug. And don't forget some garden wall art to add extra personality to an outdoor entertaining space.
Here's our pick of the best garden furniture this year - and when you're done, check out five outdoor lighting ideas to transform your garden and garden bar ideas: the best outdoor bars to make the most of your garden. If you're looking to boost your entertaining set-up, we've up together round-ups of the best BBQs, pizza ovens and chimeneas for this summer.
Win a Bramblecrest outdoor sofa set and firepit, worth £3,299
Make the most of the longer and lighter evenings and revamp your outdoor space, ready for barbecues and unwinding in the garden. We’ve teamed up with Bramblecrest to give away a Hampton rattan corner sofa in Nutmeg, complete with square firepit table and two benches, worth £3,299 in total.
Click here to enter.
CLOSESJuly 23, 2023 11:59 PM
The best garden furniture
Whether you like al fresco dining or deck chair lounging, these budget-friendly outdoor furniture pieces will spruce up your space in no time.
Charles Taylor Wooden Dining Set
This Charles Taylor wooden dining set from Dunelm offers a complete outdoor entertaining set-up, as it includes a table, four chairs with seat pads and a parasol with a base, too!
This solid, attractive set is made of sturdy timber and Scandinavian redwood and arrives fully-assembled - so no sweating in the sun over an instruction manual!
Amsterdam 2 Seater Bistro Set
Simple, stylish and easy to clean, we love this bold blue bistro set from Zipcode Design, available through Wayfair. Made of strong, weather-resistant metal, this is a budget-friendly set that will last in all seasons - plus, it's easy to fold and put away when the sun goes down. If you prefer more neutral tones, the set is also available in taupe.
Geisha Fuchsia Parasol
On a sultry summer day, a parasol is a must if you're planning on spending the whole day outside without getting some painful sunburn. We just love the delicate design of this one from Dunelm - the bright fuchsia shade will brighten up your garden in no time!
Josper Low Metal Firepit, Black
No summer get-together is complete without some drinks around a firepit, and this one from Made.com is one of the nicest we’ve come across this year. We love its simplistic Scandi design and matte black metal finish, but the thing we love the most is the fact that the bowl isn't fixed to the base, making it super easy to dispose of waste after use.
If you’re after something more glam, you can get a version with a shiny brass frame instead of a black one – whichever you opt for, just make sure you’ve got the marshmallows ready for toasting!
How to care for your outdoor furniture
Garden furniture may be made to withstand the weather, but it still needs some TLC now and then. Check out these expert care tips from Protek to keep your wooden garden furniture looking fresh and new.
Waterproof your furniture
The number-one enemy of wooden garden furniture is water, which can cause swelling and damage. Mould can also take hold of wood and frost will attack any exposed areas. Protection by waterproofing is key here – you can also add a splash of colour at the same time. Look for waterproof coatings that contain fungal inhibitors to protect the surface beneath from mould while still allowing the timber to breathe. Old coatings can be painted over if they’re water-based and repaired.
Prepare furniture before painting
Before you start adding a fresh coat, however, make sure you prepare the furniture. Start by cleaning the surfaces with a damp cloth, then allow them to dry. Next, use a stiff brush to strip off any loose paint or sand down the wood, before wiping it clean. If you’re not doing this on grass, then protect the floor with a waterproof dustsheet and use a synthetic brush that’s small enough to reach into tight corners.
Use a primer
Protek Royal Exterior paint acts as a great base coat, so it can be applied without a primer, however if it’s a light colour then it may need a primer and a knotting agent to prevent tannin staining. Two to three coats are recommended to build colour depth. Wooden garden furniture can also be made to look as good as new with Protek Royal Exterior Superior Wood Finish. This long-lasting, breathable protection has a soft lustre that allows the grain to show through. It’s also water-based and has a low VOC content. It’s available in a wide range of colours for £17.99 per litre. Find out more at protekwoodstain.co.uk.
For more information, read our guide on how to prepare your garden furniture for summer.
If you enjoyed our round-up, check out our other Buyer's Guides! We've got guides to the best washing machines, electric ovens, stand mixers, and many more household appliances.
