Aluminium Garden Furniture

Why aluminium suits garden furniture

Aluminium is a practical metal for furniture that lives outside in a damp climate, because it cannot rust. Every piece here is built with aluminium and made for outdoor use, and the metal will not leave the orange rust streaks on paving or decking that a chipped steel chair can.

Aluminium is also strong for its weight, so a chair or table made from it is usually light enough to move around the garden on your own. That helps when you want to follow the sun around the garden. Larger sofas and dining sets still call for a helper.

Aluminium garden tables, chairs and sofas

We stock garden tables, chairs, sofas and dining sets, so you can furnish a patio straight away or build it up over time. A dining set is the simplest way to get a matching table and seating, while buying pieces separately lets you mix shapes and heights. We also stock some low tables to go with a sofa.

For a balcony or a small courtyard, we stock some bistro sets. Some seating comes as separate modules, so you can arrange a corner or a longer sofa to suit your space. We also stock some sun loungers for lazy afternoons. A few day beds give you room to stretch out. For an outdoor bar, we stock a few bar stools.

Weave, rope and wood on aluminium furniture

Many pieces combine aluminium with polyrattan, a synthetic fibre woven to look like natural rattan, which gives sofas and chairs a relaxed, textured feel. We also stock pieces with rope, which brings a softer, more open look. A close weave gives a firm, even surface, while an open weave or rope feels lighter and pairs well with a seat cushion.

You will also find aluminium paired with wood or with composite. Many pieces include polyolefin or acrylic, both synthetic materials that are common in outdoor fabric and rope. Most of these pieces include fabric, so read the care label before you wash a removable cover.

Choosing a top for an aluminium garden table

The top decides how a table looks and how much care it needs. Many pieces use glass or sintered stone. Glass keeps a table looking light and wipes clean easily; if you choose it, look for tempered glass, which breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. Sintered stone is dense and hard-wearing, so it suits a table that will see hot dishes and spilt drinks.

We stock round and square tables. A round table makes conversation easy and tucks neatly into a corner, while a square table lines up flush against a wall or pairs with another for a longer run. For shade at mealtimes, check whether the table has a parasol hole.

Colours and styles of aluminium garden furniture

Most pieces come in a broad choice of colours: anthracite, graphite and grey for a crisp, cool look, white and ivory for a bright one, beige and brown for warmth, and green, blue or red if you want colour among the planting. We also stock natural finishes, which look at home beside timber fences and decking.

A simple way to choose is to pick up a colour from the house. If your window frames or doors are anthracite, an anthracite or graphite finish ties the patio to the building, while white or ivory brightens a shady courtyard. We stock modern designs too. Some pieces take a more classic line.

Planning space for aluminium outdoor furniture

Measure your patio, deck or lawn before you choose, and mark out the footprint with string or canes. Leave room for chairs to pull back from a table and keep a clear path to the back door. Then compare the dimensions with your plan before you order.

Seat height decides whether a chair works with a dining table, a low table or a bar. Where we list a weight, use it to judge whether you can move a piece alone. Where we list a maximum load, it tells you whether a seat suits the people who will use it. Some pieces also suit a living room, so they can come inside too.

Caring for aluminium garden furniture

Aluminium needs very little looking after. Wash it with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse with clean water and let it dry. Avoid scouring pads, wire brushes and strong solvents, which can scratch or dull a powder-coated finish. Near the sea, rinse more often, because salt left on any metal can mark the surface.

Cover your furniture when you are not using it, ideally with a breathable cover, and check whether a cover is included before you order. Bring cushions inside when rain is on the way and store them somewhere dry and airy. If a piece has wooden parts, follow its care notes: left untreated, wood weathers to a soft silver grey, while an occasional coat of oil helps hold its colour.