Pick outdoor furniture sets like a pro

We know the score. You find a site selling gorgeous outdoor furniture sets. You go explore… and you find so many fabulous objects of desire that you’re overcome, in a complete tizzy. How to choose? It’s time for some logic. So step back, calm down, breathe for a bit, and find out how to add some method to the retail therapy madness!

Top tips for choosing perfect outdoor furniture sets

It makes sense to think about exactly what you want to use the space for. If it’s occasional outdoor fun with four people, your needs will be very different compared to someone who entertains ten people week in, week out through spring, summer and autumn.

When your outdoor life is low key we have plenty of smaller sets along with versatile sets that work in more than one way – for example a garden lounge set with footstools that double as extra seating or a bench that can be used as an extra table.

Will you need one main seating set and some spare chairs for the rare times you invite more people round than usual, or full-on permanent outdoor seating for ten? Maybe you love to lounge long and late so hours of comfort is the main thing. Perhaps you usually sit down formally to dine then head back indoors, making a dining set the main event. Thinking about what you already do as well as the things you want to do, will you choose a dining set, a lounge set, or both?

Will you be cooking outdoors? In which case do you know how much space you’ve got for garden furniture including enough room for people to get up, sit down and safely move around? If you don’t do BBQing but love having people round for a cuppa and cake or a Prosecco frenzy, maybe a Bistro set – or two – might be an inspired idea. Will you choose something contemporary in resin rattan or traditional in painted metal?

The set with a fire pit table below keeps garden life warm and cosy as well as sumptuously comfortable. Would this kind of thing suit you better than a regular lounge set with a coffee table?

Some outdoor furniture sets come with a table that rises for dining and lowers to give you a coffee table, like the one below. The footstools can also be used as seating and the neat design makes it ideal for smaller gardens without compromising on versatility and comfort.

Size matters. Luckily there are outdoor furniture sets in every size from small to XL, all just as comfortable, hardwearing and good-looking.

Whether you want to large it or keep things tidy, our enormous collection of garden furniture and accessories will keep you coming back for more. Go see what treats we have in store for you!