A Buyer’s Guide to Garden Furniture

Your outdoor space is more than just an extension of your home, it’s a place for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the wonders of nature from the comfort of your backyard. That’s why choosing the right garden furniture is the key to transforming your patio, garden, or backyard into a functional and inviting space. Whether you’re looking for cushioned sunloungers to relax on in the summer or a table and sofa set to house guests for al fresco dinner parties, we’re here to walk you through all you need to know about selecting the right items to suit your needs.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through the best materials for garden furniture, which type is most weather-resistant and the kind of outdoor furniture set you need to suit your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. From understanding materials to finding space-saving solutions and exploring the options available here at ATM Living, we’ll help you make informed decisions when purchasing garden furniture.

What is the best material for garden furniture?

The best material for garden furniture entirely depends on your personal style preferences, the function of the furniture and the climate you live in. The most commonly used materials are rattan, wood and aluminium due to their durability, weather resistance and versatility. 

Rattan Garden Furniture

Oxford 8 Seat Oval Fire Pit Dining Set with Heritage Chairs and Winchester 3pc Sunlounger Set 

Rattan is one of the most popular materials used for garden furniture and has sustained popularity for decades for a good reason - it’s durable, UV and weather-resistant, and requires little maintenance. Rattan is lighter than traditional wooden garden furniture making it easier to move around your space to find the perfect spot. 

Weaved into chairs, sofas, sunloungers and tables, rattan is a highly versatile material that can create long-lasting outdoor furniture, in various shades to suit different design preferences so you can pick a style that suits your aesthetic best. Ideal for those looking for a casual, comfortable set-up, rattan garden sets create a natural, bohemian vibe that is versatile enough to suit both traditional and modern design preferences.

It’s important to note that although natural rattan can be weather-resistant, it is not completely waterproof, unlike our range of synthetic rattan, therefore if you live in areas prone to heavy rainfall, it may be more susceptible to damage, or decay over time. This can be prevented by covering it up, or moving it into storage in less favourable weather conditions to maintain its quality and longevity.

Aluminium Garden Furniture 

Manhattan Reclining 3 Seat Sofa Set with Fire Pit and Footstools and Amalfi 2 Seat Bistro Set with Rising Table 

Aluminium is another great material for outdoor furniture as it won’t rust, unlike other metals, making it highly durable and resistant to all weather conditions. This means you can leave it uncovered throughout cold, wet seasons without worry of it becoming damaged. Not only does it look great, but aluminium is remarkably versatile and can help you create a garden set-up unique to your personal design preferences.

Aluminium is also incredibly lightweight, making it easy to move around your garden should you wish to, however, keep in mind that the lightness of this material means it may not be able to withstand strong winds and should be packed away during extreme bouts of bad weather. It's also important to note that aluminium can become quite hot in direct sunlight, therefore adding cushions to your furniture set is suggested to keep it as comfortable as possible.

Overall, aluminium garden furniture is great for those leaning towards a more modern or industrial look for their outdoor space. With its clean lines and minimalist design, this style of furniture adds a polished, sophisticated feel to gardens lending to a more modern aesthetic. When paired with other materials like glass, wood and fabric cushions, you can create a versatile and contemporary outdoor space.

Wooden Garden Furniture 

Mila Olive Corner Sofa Set and Martinique 8 Seat Rectangular Dining Set  

If you’re looking to complement the natural aesthetics of your garden, wooden outdoor furniture is a really good choice. Woods such as oak, teak, eucalyptus and acacia are thought to be the best choices due to their durability and weather resistance when properly cared for. Not only does wood give a rustic vibe to outdoor spaces, but wooden furniture can also age beautifully, making it a great choice for those looking for a timeless aesthetic that will last for years to come.

It’s important to note that wooden outdoor furniture will require treatments like sealing and oiling in order to prevent weather damage and potential warp and to keep the furniture in its best condition. With proper care, hardwood furniture like acacia and teak can be exceptionally durable and resistant to moisture, withstanding less favourable weather conditions. Since wood is a natural material, it does have the potential to crack or split over time however this does not compromise the strength or durability of the furniture. 

The earthy, warm tones of wooden furniture allow it to blend seamlessly with the outdoor environment, creating a cohesive, tranquil space that enhances your garden’s natural charm. Due to the timelessness of this material, wooden garden furniture will never go out of style and can be decorated in a variety of ways whether you lean more towards a modern or traditional aesthetic.

Fabric Garden Furniture

Ambition 3 Seat Sofa Set and Snug Lifestyle Suite with Rising Table 

Garden furniture made from fabric offers a combination of comfort and versatility that enhances any outdoor experience. Featuring thick cushions or upholstered seating, it provides a cosy and relaxing experience with more ergonomic support to ensure maximum comfort whether you’re lounging, dining or entertaining. Made from outdoor-specific fabrics, this style of garden furniture is often quick-drying, and resistant to moisture and UV rays, ensuring its durability in varying weather conditions.

Available in a wide range of colours, textures and shapes, this style is easy to match to your garden’s look and feel. Add some of our outdoor cushions to refresh the look of this sofa as seasons and trends change. Fabric designs are the most favourable for those looking for ultimate comfort with their outdoor seating, as not only are they well cushioned, but the fabric also doesn’t retain heat, unlike metal furniture, making it comfortable for hotter climates.

If you’re looking for a modern, resort-like feel for your outdoor space, fabric furniture is the choice for you as it adds a refined, upscale vibe to your garden, ideal for creating an ambient and inviting space for your family and guests. From contemporary modular seating to classic table and chair dining sets, fabric furniture comes in many different design options that combine the best of comfort, style, and functionality.

What types of garden furniture can be left outside all year?

When it comes to choosing garden furniture that can be left outside all year round, it's important to consider the climate of where you live and the types of weather conditions the furniture is likely to be in. If you live in a colder, wetter climate, we would suggest avoiding leaving natural rattan styles outside all year as they are most susceptible to water damage, with the potential for mould or mildew to develop. Instead, we would recommend opting for our weather-resistant fabric, aluminium, or wooden furniture that has been treated with the correct sealants, as they are more durable for these climates and less prone to water damage like rust or mould.

What to do with garden furniture when it rains?

With the above in mind, knowing what to do with your garden furniture when it rains will make all the difference to its longevity and appearance over time. Although some garden furniture is designed using water-resistant materials, it’s still important to consider how much rainfall it may encounter and whether it may cause damage from prolonged exposure to moisture.

Although most garden furniture does not have to be moved indoors when it rains, if you are anticipating long periods of heavy rainfall or bad weather the easiest way to protect your garden furniture is to put it in storage - whether it be a shed, garage or in a conservatory, if space allows. If you do not have a space indoors to keep your furniture, using a shower-resistant furniture cover or tarp can also work well to protect your pieces. However, it’s important to properly attach these covers to prevent them from blowing away. If you have a pergola in your garden, this can also be used as an effective way to prevent excessive rain damage to your furniture in addition to a furniture cover for added protection.

If your furniture does encounter excessive rainfall it's important that you fully dry it off to prevent water from pooling or settling and causing mould or damage. If you have wood, aluminium or other metal outdoor sets that are designed to withstand rainfall, keep in mind that the cushions or other decorative textiles should be removed and stored inside until the rain subsides.

Is it okay to leave rattan furniture outside in winter?

Whether or not you keep rattan furniture outside in winter will depend on the type of winter weather you encounter and the type of rattan used. If your rattan furniture is made from synthetic rattan, then it will be okay to be left outside in the winter, as it is made to withstand less favourable weather, however using a protective furniture cover can help to prolong its lifespan. However, if your garden furniture is made from natural rattan, it should be kept indoors away from cold and wet weather in order to prevent damage.

Keep in mind that if your natural rattan furniture does encounter rain, it should be dried quickly and stored in an area that is warm with good ventilation in order to prevent any build-up of mould from occurring. There is an option to paint and varnish natural rattan furniture in order to make it water-resistant, however, this process does not make it fully waterproof, so some actions should still be taken to prevent the furniture from being exposed to excessive wet conditions.

Is it okay to put garden furniture on the grass?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, it is entirely down to personal choice. 

Technically, you can put your garden furniture anywhere you want, however, if you want to maintain the health of your lawn, it may be best to keep any furniture off your grass.

Putting garden furniture on grass will not only compact the area in which it rests due to its weight, but it can also restrict it from the essential sunlight and water it needs to grow. It’s also important to consider that grass can be damp and therefore may make your furniture more susceptible to rot, rust or other damage.

If you have no choice but to place your garden furniture on the grass, there are small ways you can help maintain the health of your lawn whilst doing so including:

• Using chair leg caps to prevent the legs from sinking into the grass
• Placing protective bases underneath the furniture to help distribute the weight more evenly
• Move the furniture to different locations around your garden regularly to prevent your grass from dying off.

The most favourable place to put your garden furniture is on patios or decking as these will create an even surface that is not susceptible to water damage and will enable you to avoid damaging your grass.

Which type of outdoor furniture is the easiest to maintain?

All outdoor furniture is easy to maintain when you know the right ways to care for your pieces. However, generally speaking, aluminium outdoor furniture requires the least amount of maintenance to keep it in good condition. Not only is aluminium weather-resistant and rust-proof, it is also incredibly easy to clean. All you need is a mild soapy solution with a damp sponge to clean off any dirt or debris, followed by a soft cloth to dry.

The best way to maintain any outdoor furniture is to clean it regularly and protect any non-weather resistant elements from excessive moisture.

Compare garden furniture options at ATM Living

Now that you have the basics down on what garden furniture options may be best suited to your needs, it's time to get shopping. Browse through our full outdoor living collection to discover garden furniture in a wide variety of materials, styles and sizes to suit your design preferences. From casual dining sets to luxurious daybeds and modern garden sofas, we’ve got a stylish garden furniture option to fit the vision for your outdoor space.