Garden Sofa Sets

Choosing a garden sofa set for your space

Start with how you will use the space. If you mainly want to sit back with a drink and a book, a garden lounge set is the natural choice. If you often have people round, think about the size of your usual group and whether you like to sit face to face or side by side. The sets on this page are all made for outdoor use, so the real decisions are size, layout and materials.

Measure the patio or terrace first, leaving room to walk round the set and stretch your legs. We stock four-seater and five-seater sets. Check the dimensions in the product details, then mark the outline on the ground with string or chalk to see how it will sit.

Lounge or corner garden sofa sets

A set made of separate pieces is the more flexible choice: you can move the seats to follow the sun, open the layout up when friends visit, or pull them in close on a cool evening. A corner set gives you one long, L-shaped run of seating that fits into the angle of a wall or fence, making good use of a spot that might otherwise sit empty.

We stock corner sets, including large ones for bigger gardens. A few of our sets have a chaise, so you can stretch out with your feet up. If you are torn, ask yourself whether you like to rearrange things or would rather have a fixed, sociable corner.

Rattan, wood and metal garden sofa sets

We stock garden sofa sets in woven rattan, acacia wood, aluminium and steel. Poly rattan is a synthetic weave made to live outside, and it wipes clean with a damp cloth. Acacia is a dense hardwood with a lovely grain, a good choice if you want the warmth of real wood. Aluminium is light and resists rust, so it is the easier metal to move about, while steel is heavier and less likely to shift in a gust.

A few sets use a rope weave, for a softer, more relaxed look than rattan. Whatever you choose, check the frame as well as the weave: the frame decides the weight and the care it needs, while the weave decides the look and feel.

Cushions on a garden lounge set

We stock sets with fabric cushions, which make the biggest difference to comfort. Before you order, check the product details for the cover fabric and filling: a foam core holds its shape and gives a firmer seat, while a fibre wrap adds softness. If you have children or a dog, check whether the covers come off for washing.

Cushions mind the weather more than frames do, so bring them indoors or into a storage box when rain is forecast. If they get caught in a shower, stand them on their edge in an airy spot until they dry right through. Pale cushions look fresh against green planting, while darker shades are more forgiving of marks.

Tables in garden sofa sets

We stock sets with a glass-topped table: a smooth surface for drinks and plates that wipes clean in moments. If you choose glass, check that it is tempered, the safer choice outdoors. A slatted top lets rain run straight through and dries quickly, which suits an exposed garden.

Think about what the table is for. A low coffee table suits a cup of tea and a snack better than a full meal. A few of our sets are dining sets, with a table made for proper meals. A few of our sets also come with a rising table, which you can lift when it is time to eat.

Colours and styles for garden sofa sets

We stock garden sofa sets in natural, beige, brown and grey. Natural and beige blend softly with planting and timber fencing, while brown and grey suit a stone or slate patio and show less dirt. A few sets come in black, which looks crisp against pale paving or white render.

For style, we stock modern designs that suit a contemporary home. A few sets have a mid-century modern look. It helps to match the set to the house as well as the garden: a grey weave sits well beside big glass doors, while warm acacia looks at home against old brick.

Looking after a garden sofa set

We recommend covering your set whenever you are not using it, as a cover keeps off rain, falling leaves and bird droppings. Measure the set before you buy a cover so it fits snugly, and let the set dry before you put the cover on so you do not trap damp.

Wipe metal and woven frames with warm soapy water and brush leaves and grit out of the weave before they settle in. Acacia likes a coat of outdoor wood oil now and then to keep its colour, but follow any care guidance supplied with your set. If a coated metal frame chips, touch it up promptly so water cannot get underneath.