Here it comes, our favourite time of year.
Summer is when the entirety of the British Isles feels like it exhales as one in unison. Longer days, fair weather, a decent hit of sunshine if we’re lucky - it’s what we’ve waited all year for.
Countless studies have proven that spending time in the great outdoors is excellent for mental health and well-being. While it’s advice that can be applied year-round, it is much more enticing to embrace it in the summer.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, now’s the time to whip it into shape so it’s ready for the months of entertaining, sunbathing, and barbecuing ahead. Jobs like tending to plants, clearing dead leaves, and painting fences can be done now so when temperatures rise, you can relax smug in your preparedness.
It’s also the perfect time of year to order new garden furniture or bag a fresh BBQ if yours has succumbed to rust. From outdoor dining sets and hot tubs that will give your space a private resort club vibe, to compact bistro sets that you can sit with the papers on the weekend, there are plenty of outdoor furniture options to help you get the most out of your garden this summer.
If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got plenty of roundups and ideas on kitting out your space, from cheap and cheerful garden lights and outdoor cushions to higher-spend buys that will make your garden the best spot in the house - not to mention the envy of your street.
See the best garden furniture and accessories to invest in below.
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Habitat Betal Rattan 2 Seater Sofa - Natural
Offering a sculptural aesthetic as well as a pretty perch, this Habitat Betal sofa is the perfect spot to curl up for a well-deserved snooze under a light blanket. Made from 100 per cent rattan, the organic textures and shapes will fit in well with all kinds of outdoor spaces, whether they’re perfectly maintained or a little on the wild side.
Buy now £295.00, Argos
Rattan Direct Rattan Garden Day Bed Sofa Set in Chocolate and Cream
A sectional sofa for outdoors allows you to configure the pieces to suit your space and the occasion best.
You can turn Rattan Direct’s set from a U-shaped sofa to a giant daybed or separate them and put a coffee table in between for a casual conversation pit. As well as the bases, the set comes with said coffee table with a tempered glass top, free scatter cushions and a free set of outdoor covers to keep it protected against bad weather.
The company offers speedy delivery with next-day options available.
Buy now £1379.00, Rattan Direct
George Home at ASDA Black Novaro 4-piece sofa set
Petite outdoor spaces and smaller gardens can still accommodate sofa sets - just on a more compact scale.
This lounge set from George Home manages to blend the pretty and the practical perfectly - its black steel frame offers a cool industrial edge and is corrosion-resistant, while the poly rattan weave is also waterproof. Pull up a pew.
Named day delivery is available for a small additional fee.
Buy now £549.00, George Home
Outsunny 6 Seater Round Rattan Sofa with Canopy Black
Made for luxe entertaining and opulent solo-lounging, this generous monochrome PE rattan sofa set cleverly slides together to form one massive daybed or pulls apart when you’ve got guests over to provide adequate seating. It’s perfect for the outdoors with powder-coated and rust-resistant steel to help it weather wear and tear. The cushion covers are machine washable and there’s a built-in canopy to protect you and it from wind, rain and shine. If you have the space to spare, you’ll love it.
Buy now £335.00, Wilko
Henley - Reclining Bistro Set with Side Table
The beauty of this bistro set is its versatility. There’s a higher table for al fresco meals putting your BBQ feast within easy reach. It’s topped with a glass panel to make cleaning easy. The chairs recline and there’s foot rests too for unmatched lounging. Perfection.
Buy now £763.00, Moda Furnishings
VonHaus Natural Rattan Hanging Egg Chair
It was nigh-on impossible to get your hands on a hanging egg chair last year, despite seemingly being sold everywhere. Don’t make the same mistake this time around; get your hands on one early and spare yourself the disappointment.
This freestanding iron-frame model from VonHaus gives boho comfort paired with the security and cosiness of an armchair. Perch it in a sun-dappled corner and watch guests fight over who gets to sit in it first.
Buy now £149.99, VonHaus
Moda Furnishings Ellis Lounger
Looking plucked straight from a country spa retreat, Moda Furnishings' sunlounger makes a persuasive case for spending sunny weekends in the garden. Durable aluminium is the starting point, serving as the foundation for cream-coloured water-resistant cushions on which to recline. Sunbathing, as we all know, is thirsty work so this lounger comes with a matching side table to keep hydration by your side.
Buy now £359.00, Moda Furnishings
Charles Bentley Natural Wicker Bistro Set
Turbocharge your small space with a sophisticated bistro set, like this design crafted by expert Tectake Molfetta.
Made from natural wicker and finished with a cushion pad to make things more comfortable, the two-seater set offers a chic and comparatively inexpensive way to get your garden seating up to scratch. It does require construction, so dust the DIY kit down - at least you’ll have a lovely spot to sit once you’re finished.
Buy now £113.99, Robert Dyas
Sol 27 Outdoor Aaraf Sol 72 Outdoor with Solid Wood Outer Material
Your very own home bar inspired by the tropics - every hour is destined to be a happy one with this set ready to go in your garden. The steel frame bar comes with a set of stools, all wrapped in rattan to make it feel and look natural in an outdoor setting. The durable piece promises to steal the show at every BBQ and garden party you throw from now until October. Requires self-assembly.
Buy now £339.99, Wayfair
20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights
Lighting is crucial in setting the tone for your evening summer festivities where these festival-worthy bulbs give you a warm white glow. They illuminate automatically with a built-in sensor and are powered through a solar panel. There are eight settings that include a flash, chase or static illumination.
Buy now £23.99, Lights4Fun
Mushroom Stake String Lights - Set of 12
Not mushroom in the garden? You don't need acres of space to bring a little whimsy to your outdoor space. Lights4Fun has these cute mushroom-themed garden lights to make your space magical.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Charles Bentley 3M Garden Hammock With Wooden Arc Stand One Person – Cream
Kick back and relax in the summer breeze in a hammock that will transport you straight to the Caribbean. Held on a bowed wooden base, the cotton canvas is cool and breathable to lay on all day, if the mood takes you.
Buy now £139.99, Debenhams
Grand patio store Garden Bistro Set
Working with a small space? Even a small table and chairs can heighten the pleasure of being in the garden. This bistro-inspired design comes in a selection of colours but we like red for adding a pop of colour to the surroundings.
Buy now £89.98, Amazon
TORVA Folding Adirondack Garden Chair
Adirondack-style chairs are the cheat's way to making your garden or balcony feel like a resort. This fold-up design comes in black, blue, green and grey but orange is our choice for enhancing sunshine feels.
Buy now £103.86, Amazon
Rattan Direct Rattan Garden Day Bed Sofa Set in Chocolate and Cream
A sectional sofa for outdoors allows you to configure the pieces to suit your space and the occasion best.
You can turn Rattan Direct’s set from a U-shaped sofa to a giant daybed or separate them and put a coffee table in between for a casual conversation pit. As well as the bases, the set comes with said coffee table with a tempered glass top, free scatter cushions and a free set of outdoor covers to keep it protected against bad weather.
The company offers speedy delivery with next-day options available.
Buy now £1379.00, Rattan Direct
Spirit Home Interiors Handmade Indoor Outdoor Floor Cushion
Embrace the boho trend currently ruling interiors and take it outside with this beautifully decorated 50 x 50 x 10cm floor cushion. It's perfect for dressing up patios, porches and balconies but can be placed on top of furniture for extra-plush cushioning.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Dunelm Singapore Hanging Egg Chair
Full disclosure: this hanging chair isn't available for next-day delivery. Instead, it will take a few days (two working days when we checked) to get to your door, but we think it's worth the wait.
The rattan look comes with a stand so there's no need to drill into any ceilings. Simply set it up in a sunny patch and nestle yourself into those plump cushions.
Buy now £139.30, Dunelm
