After the recent storms, we wanted to bring a little sunshine to the Lazy Magazine. Designing a poolside area requires some careful thought regarding the balance of comfort, style, durability, and functionality, and the off-season is the perfect time to start thinking about some upgrades.
When it comes to pool furniture, you need pieces that you can sit on wet or dry, that enhance the aesthetics of the pool area, stand up to all the general wear, tear, moisture and chemicals associated with a swimming pool, and fit with how you like to spend your time at the pool.
Patio furniture around a swimming pool isn’t strictly necessary, especially if you have an indoor pool, but in our opinion, it is highly recommended. It ticks all the boxes above and will significantly enhance both the functionality and your enjoyment.
We have sold our furniture to many hotels (such as the Tylney Hall Hotel shown above) and private holiday homes/villas both here in the UK and in warmer climes overseas such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
Our cast aluminium loungers, benches, chairs, side tables, coffee tables, and dining tables, make the perfect poolside patio sets because they deliver:
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Comfort
Poolside furniture like our sun loungers will give you a place to rest after swimming or sunbathing. You can also pair all our patio chairs, loungers, and tables with a parasol to give you a place to escape the sun without having to head indoors. -
Socialising
You can create the perfect poolside gathering spot. A seating area will encourage social interaction and make the pool area a hub for family and friends. Our dining sets will allow you to serve meals or snacks without everyone having to leave the pool area. -
Convenience
Furniture like our benches can be paired with a side table to provide space for placing poolside necessities such as towels, suncream, and drinks. With a table and chair set such as our compact bistros, you have a safe and convenient place to set down items like sunglasses, phones, drinks or books. -
Style
The best pool areas have a design cohesion. Stylish furniture should enhance the overall look, making it more inviting and luxurious. The right style of furniture, be it modern or classical, should transform your pool into a resort-like retreat. -
Function
Designated seating zones will keep wet swimmers off grass or uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of slips. Set up zones with loungers for drying off and relaxing and a dry zone for poolside cocktails and catch-ups. Not everyone wants to swim too; furniture provides a comfortable spot for those who prefer to relax, supervise kids, or simply enjoy the ambience.
Our favourite poolside outdoor furniture solutions
The best type of pool furniture is the pieces or sets that will get you spending the most time poolside. For the team here at Lazy Susan, we would be looking for furniture that is comfortable, durable, and stylish.
You need to consider things like the size of your pool area and the amount of sun exposure when selecting, however, the right type of furniture should enable you to create a poolside retreat that you and your family will enjoy all summer long.
At Lazy Susan, we don’t sell all types of poolside furniture. The focus of our collection is outdoor dining, and we have a comprehensive range of tables and chairs, along with coordinating benches, loungers, side tables, parasols and cushions.
Some of our favourite types of poolside patio furniture, both what we sell and what also works well around a swimming pool, include:
1. Lounge Chairs
Lounge-style chairs are perfect for relaxing, sunbathing, or reading. Look for those with adjustable backs so you can customise your seating position for comfort and wheels for easy repositioning.
For poolside comfort, you want any cushions or upholstery in a quick-dry fabric or the chair to have sling-style seating. The materials we would recommend for this style of seating would be cast aluminium, teak, or synthetic rattan.
Please note, we do not sell lounge-style chairs but we do have a comprehensive range of dining-style chairs that coordinate with all our tables, sun loungers, etc.
2. Sun Loungers
Loungers, be it a classic sun bed, day bed or chaise lounge, are perfect for adding a touch of the luxurious, resort-style feel to your pool area. They are ideal for lounging with a drink or napping in the sun.
We would recommend you look for durable weather-resistant materials such as powder-coated aluminium or a synthetic poly-rattan and make sure any cushions are UV-resistant and quick-drying.
Our Can you use metal sun loungers in a hot climate? article looked at the suitability of our metal sun loungers if you live somewhere sunny and you can shop the full range here.
3. Patio Dining Sets
Patio tables, be it a 2-seater bistro set or a larger 8-seater dining set, are perfect for al fresco meals or poolside snacks. Our patio tables also come cut with a parasol hole for added shade so you can enjoy food and drinks safely.
Look for materials that are weather-resistant and lightweight but sturdy. Our choices would be cast aluminium like our range or any tables with a tempered glass top or made from a durable weatherproof resin.
4. Outdoor Sofas
Outdoor sofas are perfect for creating a social seating area, with many of the solutions on the market modular so you can configure your pool area to suit.
We like to see them with low deep-seating cushions with quick-dry foam that is comfortable but suitable for outdoor use.
Some of our fave materials include synthetic rattans, rust-resistant powder-coated metals such as steel and aluminium with high-quality outdoor-rated upholstery.
Please note, that our collection is focused on outdoor dining. We no longer sell outdoor sofas but they are a good option for relaxation.
5. Side Tables and Coffee Tables
At Lazy Susan we offer a range of low coffee and side tables perfect for pairing with our garden chairs and loungers to create that resort-style feel. They’re handy for placing drinks, sunscreen, or towels, and lightweight for easy movement.
When shopping for the perfect poolside side table, look for pieces that coordinate with any other larger pieces of furniture you plan to place around the pool.
Make sure they feature a weatherproof top such as our cast aluminium, tempered glass or ceramic. For the table itself, the best materials to put around a pool area are teak, powder-coated aluminium, or a durable HDPE resin.
6. Parasols and Shade Structures
No poolside furniture setup is complete without shade, be that our table sets, benches or loungers paired with a parasol and base or a fixed structure such as a gazebo. Essential for sun protection, they will keep you cool, and give you a cool spot to relax with friends and family.
When it comes to patio umbrellas, all our tables come with a cut-out, and our parasols feature a showerproof UV-resistant canopy material and an adjustable tilt mechanism so you can angle them for optimum shade coverage.
What are the best materials for poolside furniture?
The best materials for poolside furniture are those that can withstand the harsh conditions of a pool environment, such as chlorine, high moisture, and UV rays.
For us, the 4 best furniture materials for around a swimming pool are Aluminium, Teak, Poly-Rattan, and HDPE plastics as they will meet your needs and last for many years:
1. Cast Aluminum
Of course, we are a little biased, all our patio furniture, except for a few pieces and parts, is constructed from high-grade aluminium. It is lightweight, rust-resistant, highly resistant to chlorine and water damage, and easy to clean.
We finish our cast aluminium with a tough powder coating to give it added durability and colour variety. It is the perfect material for poolside sun loungers, dining sets, patio chairs, side tables, and parasols.
2. Teak
If it’s not cast aluminium, then our advice would be to look at teak.
We don't sell it but it is naturally resistant to water, decay, and insects, and whilst it will require a little more maintenance to keep, you can just leave it and it will weather to a silvery patina if you don't want to keep those honey-brown tones.
It will have a higher upfront cost than cast aluminium but what you get is high-end, long-lasting furniture that is perfect for poolside sofas and lounger chairs.
3. Synthetic Rattan
Again, we don't sell synthetic rattans but they're another popular choice that's weatherproof, lightweight, and available in many styles. Often paired with an aluminium frame to give stability, and the best furniture is often paired with tempered glass tabletops and outdoor cushions.
You need to look for furniture where the rattans (the woven strands) are made from high-density plastic as many of the low-quality versions are highly prone to cracking and fading under intense sun. That said as a material, you will find some lovely rattan sofas, sectionals, and lounge chairs on sale in the UK.
4. Resin/Plastic
Modern plastic patio furniture is again not something we sell but it is affordable, low-maintenance, and available in a variety of colours and styles. It is easy to clean and resistant to chlorine and water damage.
As with Rattan, if you’re looking at plastic, then it has to be high-density polyethylene as the low-density, while often much cheaper, can degrade over time under UV exposure if not treated. It can look a little cheap but some of the modern style furniture is great for around a pool and will create a casual setting.
Our final thoughts on using our garden furniture next to a swimming pool
Any pool furniture that you buy must be designed to withstand splashes, rain, and humidity without rusting or deteriorating. It should be resistant to sun damage to prevent fading or cracking.
We recently published our What is the best patio furniture material for a hot climate? article and in that we looked at why we think our cast aluminium is a great choice.
It is also important to choose furniture that can be cleaned with minimal effort, especially in areas prone to chlorine or saltwater splashes.
Lightweight materials (like aluminium) are easier to pick up and move, but heavier pieces (like teak) are more stable.
From a safety perspective, we would advise that you avoid any furniture with sharp edges or slippery surfaces to minimise poolside accidents.
In terms of style, we love to see pools complemented with light, neutral colours such as white or sandstone finishes are great for reflecting heat and creating a cohesive resort vibe.
You can add pops of colour with our cushions for comfort and a coordinating parasol for shade. Other accessories such as outdoor rugs, lanterns, or plants will finish the polished pool resort look.
Of course, if the pool area is small, then adding a large furniture set might make it feel cramped or impractical. If your pool is rarely used or you don't plan on hosting, then a bistro set for two or a couple of loungers with a side table will often suffice.
High-quality outdoor furniture is also a big investment, so if it's not in your budget, you might want to focus on other essentials first. However, while you don’t need outdoor furniture around a pool if you’re happy to store it when not in use, having it will make the area more comfortable, functional, and enjoyable.
Even minimal additions like a couple of sun loungers or a small table with a bench can significantly enhance your poolside experience.
If you have our patio furniture around your swimming pool, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload It Here.
