Garden Dining Chairs

How to choose garden dining chairs

Every chair on this page is a dining chair made for outdoor use, so the decisions that matter come down to weight, material, colour and comfort. Measure your table, then compare its length with the width of the chairs you like, leaving room for elbows and for pulling a seat out. Allow space behind the chairs to push back and stand without stepping into a border. Think about how you use the garden, too: a table laid and cleared often calls for chairs that are easy to lift, while an exposed spot suits something heavier. Finally, decide whether you want arms, as that changes how much room the chairs need.

Aluminium garden dining chairs

Most of our garden dining chairs are made with aluminium. It is a light metal, which makes it the material to look at if you want to carry chairs across the lawn, pull up extra seats when friends arrive or move them into a shed without a struggle. A light chair also suits children and older guests, who find it easier to pull out and shuffle closer to the table. If your garden is open and exposed, though, tuck the chairs under the table or against a wall when you are not using them, so a strong gust is less likely to catch them.

Steel, rattan and rope outdoor dining chairs

We also stock outdoor dining chairs in steel, rattan and rope, and the choice between them turns on weight and texture. Steel is denser than aluminium, so a steel garden dining chair is worth a look if your garden catches the wind and you prefer a heavier seat. Rattan and polyrattan bring a woven character that softens a patio of hard paving. Polyrattan is a synthetic weave made to resemble rattan. Rope adds a relaxed, tactile texture that feels at home in a planted garden. A few chairs are made with wood, which brings warmth and sits comfortably beside timber decking.

Fabric and vinyl on outdoor dining chairs

Most of our chairs use fabric, and most use vinyl, so it helps to know how they differ. Vinyl can be wiped down with a damp cloth, which suits a busy family table where spills are part of the meal. Fabric feels softer and warmer to sit on, which makes a long lunch more comfortable. Many of our chairs also use acrylic or polyolefin, both synthetic materials. If you want a seat you can wipe and go, lean towards vinyl. If comfort comes first, fabric is worth a little extra care. Whichever you choose, let it dry fully before covering the chairs, so damp is not trapped underneath.

Colours for garden dining chairs

Most of our chairs come in a choice of colours: anthracite, graphite, grey, white, ivory, beige, brown, blue, green and red. Anthracite and graphite are deep greys that look crisp against pale stone and gravel, while white and ivory keep a shaded corner feeling bright. Beige, grey and brown sit quietly beside lawns and hedges, and blue, green and red bring a lift of colour to a plain terrace. If your table is in full sun, the paler shades are worth considering, as darker colours absorb more heat. You can match the chairs to your table or mix shades, and a single design in different colours keeps the scheme tidy. For an earthier feel, a few chairs come in a natural finish.

Garden dining chairs with or without arms

Some of our chairs are armchairs. Arms give you somewhere to rest through a long meal and something to push against when you stand, which helps anyone who likes a little extra support. Chairs without arms take up less width and slide further under the table, which is useful around a narrow table or on a small patio. Some designs come both with and without arms, so you can put armchairs at the head and foot of the table and matching chairs along the sides. Look at where the table legs fall, so nobody ends up straddling a table leg. A few chairs come as a set, so check whether a listing is for a single chair or a set before you plan seating for the whole table.

Looking after outdoor dining chairs

A little regular care keeps your chairs looking their best. Brush off leaves and dust, then wash frames with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, avoiding scouring pads and harsh cleaners that can scratch the finish. Use a soft brush to clear the gaps in rattan, polyrattan and rope. Touch up any chips in a steel frame so moisture cannot reach the metal beneath. For the few chairs with wood in them, an occasional coat of furniture oil keeps the colour rich; left untreated, wood tends to weather to a soft, silvery tone. Before a long spell without use, make sure the chairs are clean and dry, then put a breathable cover over them or move them into a shed or garage.