Picture this - it’s February and Storm Dudley has pulled over half the potted plants in the garden. Days later, Storm Eunice sees the neighbours trampoline three gardens down. But it was Storm Franklin on February 20 that really left us in the lurch.
Having heard crashes and clattering throughout the night, I pulled back my curtains at 7am to reveal the back garden had been totally trashed, upending all of the patio furniture and completely smashing our glass garden table.
My family and I then spent the best part of an hour picking glass shards out of the grass just so we could let the dogs out for a wee.
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To say that, as soon as the sun came out, we were desperate for a garden table would be an understatement. But the problem being is that garden dining sets can be a pretty big expense, which as we all know is a difficult one to pay out for at the moment.
We’d been managing with mismatched chairs and a small table borrowed from my brother for the time being, until I spotted a patio set for less than £200 in Homebase.
The Andorra four seater garden dining set is Homebase’s cheapest four seater set, with two-seater bistro sets starting from £80 . As a family of three with someone popping round for a cuppa most days, a four seater was essential for us - with extra garden chairs and benches rolled out when needed.
The stylish and modern set comes in at a modest £190 , and features four comfortable chairs, a glass top table and push up parasol, perfect for shading from the sun and enjoying a cocktail over the weekend.
Homebase said: “Whether al fresco dining, sharing a drink or hosting garden parties, this six piece dining set is perfect for all of your special occasions.”
The chairs arrived ready assembled, while the table came flat packed but took very little time and effort to put together. The parasol comes in two parts and takes a bit of welly to put up, but it’s certainly sturdy.
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Our patio space used to be at the top of the garden, but as the bottom of the garden gets more afternoon sun, we decided to set up the space nearest to the house, surrounded by potted plants like our Japanese Acer.
Outdoor rugs are going to be a huge trend this summer, and I picked this one up in the Aldi Specialbuys aisle for £8.99.
The table and chairs fit comfortably on and around the rug, making an inviting space partially in the sun and partially shaded by the square parasol, perfect for families who, like mine, are half ginger with fair skin, and the other half can’t wait to catch a tan.
The chairs are a great size and are extremely comfortable, reclining slightly for a lounging feel. They’re made with a weather resistant textilene fabric so that your family and friends can truly relax and enjoy themselves, and the table features a toughened glass top so with any luck, we won’t see a repeat of what happened back in February when the garden looked like a scene from The Wizard of Oz.
Though the chairs are plastic rather than metal, which is reflected in the lower price, they are sturdy, stackable and lightweight enough to move around with ease.
The patio is now a real focal point in the garden, looking far more expensive than it really costs. The table can be decorated with potted plants or flowers, becoming a welcoming space to read a book or enjoy a morning cup of tea before the day starts.
You can buy the Homebase Andorra six-piece patio set for £190 with free store pickup here.
