We want this article to be a comprehensive one-stop-shop guide to choosing new patio furniture. In other words, furniture that goes on a paved outdoor area attached to your home.
To help you make the right purchase, we will be exploring the following:
- How do you currently use your outdoor space?
- What type of garden furniture do you need?
- What size patio furniture set do you need?
- What material do you want your furniture to be made from?
- What colour furniture do you want?
- What shape furniture do you need?
- How to safely buy patio furniture online
For us, a patio is a place where people can relax, entertain, or simply enjoy the outdoors. Think of it as a paved outdoor extension of your indoor living space.
The term patio furniture is believed to have originated from the Spanish word patio, which means courtyard. Furniture for casual outdoor spaces where we can relax and socialise makes perfect sense.
The patio furniture industry is changing
We like to do this type of article at different times of the year. Garden furniture is traditionally seasonal, when the sun shines, sales boom.
We’ve all done it too. You get a spell of good weather and we impulsively purchase a new BBQ or patio table.
However, at Lazy Susan we have seen a big shift over the last 5 years. Homeowners are more savvy and demanding more from their outdoor space.
The pandemic played a big part, and as much as we hate the term, the ‘staycation’ is here to stay.
We want to spend more quality time at home and in our gardens. Outdoor furniture is no longer just an impulse buy.
The patio is now seen as an extension of our homes; an outdoor room.
As a result, we are seeing more considered purchases, more research before we buy, greater emphasis on designing the outdoor space to function/flow, more styling, more accessorising, and more attention to the details.
A sofa or dining table for the inside of our home is much less likely to be purchased on a whim. We will shop around, measure up, and use it as a focus to pull a cohesive design scheme together.
The same is now true with our patios and gardens. We want them to function on multiple levels, from cooking and dining to growing veg and relaxing.
That often requires multiple pieces of furniture and accessorisation being pulled together in the same way we would tackle a room inside the home - from space planning and choosing a colour scheme to selecting the right furniture and patio materials.
So, if you are thinking of new garden furniture, then now is the time to start the buying process.
Especially if you want to make an informed purchase decision, get pieces that function in terms of how you use your patio, and most importantly, furniture that you’ll enjoy for the next 10 years, then now is the perfect time to start.
It will give you time to do your research, establish what works best for you and your patio, measure up, make the purchase, and most importantly, get it delivered and in place for the first rays of 2022.
At Lazy Susan our popular sets can sell out quickly in the summer months too. Purchase now, and you can have that furniture delivered and in place ready to go.
We want this article to be not only the ultimate guide to our range but also a buying guide to all types of patio and garden furniture with advice on how you should/could go about making that informed purchase.
We want to share the benefit of our wisdom and help you get the right pieces for your patio. Answer the common conundrums that will help get you to that position where you are confident you’re making an informed long-term purchase.
1. How do you currently use your outdoor space?
The starting point with any guide to patio furniture should always be to purchase for need not want.
Look to get pieces that fit and function with how you like to use your patio space.
Think of the patio just like you would any room inside your home. It should work and flow from inside to out and with the rest of the garden.
When you design a living room, for example, it is best done around a focal point. That could be a fireplace, a large feature window or even a TV. After all, that is what we primarily use the space for.
The same applies to our patios. Think about how you and your family use it. For example, is it for relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee, are you an avid outdoor cook, or do you like to get friends over for drinks in the evening around the fire pit?
It could be that the patio is used in many different ways too. In that case, you may need multiple pieces if you have the space or a compromise on one type to perform different roles if space is limited.
The key to choosing the right outdoor furniture is to think of that patio in the same way you would think about any room inside your home.
2. What type of garden furniture do you need?
The right furniture should bring comfort, function and a wow factor to your outside area.
With our patio tables and our coordinating patio chairs, a simple paved space can be transformed into an alfresco dining destination for family and friends.
Opt for an outdoor sofa set with plush outdoor cushions and it becomes a second family living room where game night can head outside on a warm evening.
When complemented with the right outdoor furniture, even a small apartment balcony can be transformed when paired with a bistro set, planted containers and a few accessories.
Good furniture should draw you outside when the sun shines. Be it lounging, dining, or entertaining, getting the right pieces and working them into the wider garden design scheme is what will make your patio the go-to destination.
We always advise customers to go for hardworking pieces that make the most of their space and budget.
And by that, we mean furniture that you’ll get the most use from. For example, an outdoor sofa is great for kicking back with a good book but not so conducive to eating and vice versa.
However, a patio table and chairs from Lazy Susan might be the better compromise if space is limited.
You can enjoy a meal, but the chairs when paired with our garden cushions are comfy for many hours of sitting.
Purchasing sets that serve multiple purposes can eliminate the need to purchase additional furniture but still help you use the garden as much as possible and for many different needs.
To decide what furniture will function best on your patio, make a list of your garden furniture needs.
Note down how you like to use your patio and make a list of the activities you and your family currently enjoy or would like to do more of in that outdoor space.
Some of the popular different types of outdoor furniture on sale in the UK include:
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Patio Dining Sets
Typically includes a table and chairs, designed for outdoor dining. Popular materials include woods like teak and acacia, synthetic rattans, plastic/resin, and metals such as cast aluminium. -
Patio Lounge Sets
Designed for relaxation, lounging sets often include sofas, armchairs, chaise lounges, modular solutions, and coffee tables. Popular materials are synthetic rattan, metals like steel and aluminium, and wood with cushioned seating. -
Patio Bistro Sets
Compact sets with a small table and two chairs, often folding, ideal for smaller spaces. Popular materials on sale in the UK are metals like aluminium or wrought iron, wood, and resin. -
Patio Corner Sofa Sets
Large L-shaped or U-shaped sofas that are designed for lounging and socialising. Popular materials are poly-rattans with aluminium frames and cushioned seating. -
Patio Bar Sets
Taller tables and bar stools designed for a more casual, standing/sitting social experience, often used for drinks and light snacks. The most popular materials are metals, wood, and rattan. -
Patio Fire Pit Sets
Combining seating or dining with a central fire pit, these sets add warmth and ambience for evening gatherings. Popular materials are metal fire pits paired with rattan or wood seating. -
Patio Swing Seats & Hammocks
Designed for leisurely lounging or gentle rocking in the garden. Popular materials include wooden or metal frames paired with fabric or cushioned seating. -
Outdoor Storage Benches
Functional seating that doubles as storage for garden tools, cushions, or accessories. Popular materials include resin, wood, and metal.
3. What size patio furniture set do you need?
Once you have a list of needs for your patio space, the next step in our guide to garden furniture is to carefully measure the patio space.
You want as much detail as you can, so we would suggest you get out the pencil and paper or use one of the many free garden design apps.
The mistake often made is that people measure and fit in a set with dimensions that fit all that space.
By putting it down on paper or on-screen, you can play around with the layout, see what fits and ensure the space will function and flow when all is in place.
We will use our patio tables as an example but this method can be applied to any outdoor furniture:
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Measure table-to-patio clearance
How much space have you got from where the table will sit to the edges of your patio or decking -
Measure the space around the patio
To allow people to sit down and get up easily from their seats, we always advise people to try and leave at least 75cm (we'd even go up to 1m if you can) between the table and the edge of your patio area. -
Measure garden table-to-other items clearance
If there are other items on the patio already such as accessories, other pieces of garden furniture, containers, etc that you don’t want to move, then take that measurement from the edge of those items instead of the edge of the patio.
We have various shapes and sizes of patio tables in our collection. Each is sold with our recommended number of chairs.
The diagram below shows the recommended floor space we suggest for our best-selling oval June 6 Seater Patio Table, while the dimensions as found in our shop are shown above.
Of course, the floor space diagram is again just a guide, you may feel you can work with a little less working space for example.
All outdoor spaces are different, take the dimensions from our shop, and apply them to the free space you have available.
You need to allow for the right number of people you want to sit comfortably around the table and still leave enough space for people to walk around it safely and comfortably.
4. What material do you want your furniture to be made from?
The next question to answer in our guide to the best garden furniture is what material, and we looked at this in detail in our choosing a patio furniture material for the UK.
Choosing the right outdoor furniture material is just a matter of a little research.
Take a little time before you buy to see how those different materials compare, Each has its pros and cons, methods of care and maintenance, etc.
Yes, we want it to look good, we might have a budget in mind, but we also want it to perform.
You want it to be constructed from a material that'll stand up to the elements, and that will fit with how you and your family want to use it.
By this point of the article, you've probably got a pretty good idea about the type of patio furniture you want, be it an outdoor sofa set or a patio dining table.
So, your best starting point when deciding on the right material is to think about how you plan on using it, and how much time you want to spend maintaining it.
Wood for example has always been a popular choice, however, unless it is regularly stained and sealed, it will take in moisture that will cause it to split, and at worst, rot could take hold.
On the plus side, wood is sturdy. It won't get blown over when the wind picks up. The downside of that is if you like to move your patio furniture around the garden, then it is heavy.
Our cast aluminium on the other hand is fully rust and weather-resistant, low maintenance and easy to pick up and move.
It is about finding the material that best suits your needs and requirements. The top four materials on sale in the UK and their pros and cons are as follows:
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Metal
Pros: Durable, weather-resistant, low maintenance, wide range of styles.
Cons: Can be heavy and difficult to move, and may rust if not properly treated like the powder-coating we apply.
Types: Aluminum, wrought iron, stainless steel. -
Wood
Pros: Natural, classic appearance, can be quite durable with proper care.
Cons: Requires regular maintenance (cleaning, sealing, staining), can warp or rot if exposed to excessive moisture.
Types: Teak, eucalyptus, acacia, pine. -
Rattan
Pros: Lightweight, stylish, weather-resistant, comfortable.
Cons: Can be more expensive, and may require occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Types: Natural rattan, and synthetic rattan (polyethylene). -
Plastic
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, easy to clean, durable.
Cons: Can look less stylish than other materials, and may fade over time.
Types: HDPE (high-density polyethylene), polypropylene.
We are a little biased towards cast aluminium. It's a great all-rounder and offers excellent value for money.
Think about not only what looks and feels good but the need for storage and level of maintenance.
Our time in our gardens in the UK is often limited. You want to use and enjoy that furniture, not spend hours cleaning and maintaining it.
The adage “buy cheap, buy twice” is generally true in our industry too as it relates directly to the quality of materials used. Not always, but as a generalisation, plastic/synthetic resins for example will often be cheaper than wood and metal furniture.
Plastic resin garden furniture can often look great in the showroom of your local garden centre or DIY store but will it look great in a few summers? The same is true for the majority of timber pieces if they are not correctly maintained.
I guess what we are trying to say is just take a little time to research and make an informed purchase. Check reviews before you buy, etc.
If you're sticking to a budget, then purchase the type of furniture that you will get the most use from.
If you purchase a durable patio dining table from us, it’ll last for many summers to come and we know it'll give you hours of outdoor use and enjoyment!
5. What colour furniture do you want?
When purchasing outdoor furniture for your patio, you're not limited to neutral or natural tones when it comes to the colourway these days. Wicker, wood, and metal patio pieces now come in a wide range of colourful finishes such as the current trend for burnt orange and vivid greens.
However, when it comes to the the time to choose patio furniture, our advice is to go for a more timeless finish, and then make the colour pop with planting and accessories such as cushions, outdoor rugs, etc. These items are less expensive to replace, and if you do find the colour doesn’t suit or you fancy a change in a year or two, then it's a little less painful.
At Lazy Susan you can choose from Antique Bronze, Slate Grey or our White finish. Our Cushions and Parasols are available in Stone, Green, Blue or Terracotta. The choice of colours is designed to work with the rest of your patio not create a clash. They are natural hues but still hold enough vibrancy to make a statement.
6. What shape furniture do you need?
The shape is a key consideration that many of us also overlook, and certainly many of the other guides to garden furniture that we’ve read often omit.
Again, we will use the patio table sets as that’s what we sell. However, the same could again be applied to outdoor sofa sets or day beds for example, in terms of L-shaped, square or round styles, etc.
When selecting what shape of patio table to buy, it is very important to be guided by the existing shapes of your patio.
If the space is round or features curves, then you might want a round or oval table that will complement. On the other hand, a more straight-line square or rectangular space may be better suited to a square or rectangular patio table.
Another important consideration when deciding on shape is the space limitations of your patio.
For example, a round or oval-shaped table will take up less space than a similarly sized square or rectangle-shaped patio table. This is because the curved edges mean no corners jutting out into the space.
However, a square or rectangle table can be pushed against a wall or into a corner, thus allowing you to potentially lose seating but save space when not using.
Start by looking at the layout of the patio where the table will sit. If the patio has a curved layout, a round table will likely fit the space better as highlighted above and vice versa.
Just as with size, your patio area (both the dimensions and shape), the wider outdoor space you have, and the style of the home itself should all influence the shape of the table (or whatever type of garden furniture you want).
There are four main/popular shapes you can go for when it comes to patio tables though, all of which are available from Lazy Susan.
You may think a table is a table, but these different shapes do have their individual advantages and disadvantages, some will work on certain styles of patio but not on others, etc.
Think of the overall design scheme but don't be afraid to break the rules. However, if you're a little bit unsure, it's always best to play it safe.
7. How to safely buy patio furniture online
If you’re looking to shop online, then at Lazy Susan we want this guide to help you make not only the right purchase but also a safe and secure purchase.
We can’t speak for other online retailers, however, what we can do is tell you what to look for and look out for. Share the benefit of over a decade of online trading.
We’re not a big DIY or homeware brand. We're a small family-run business started from owner Michael Scott’s garden shed. However, the internet allows for a level playing field. We can sell our patio furniture alongside the more established names.
The customer experience has been and always will be central to the Lazy Susan philosophy. Our Customer Reviews and Customer Photographs are a testament to this.
We want consumers to be able to shop online for garden furniture with confidence. And the great thing about shopping online is that you can shop around, with sno wasted trip to the local garden centre, etc.
You can compare prices, do the research we’ve recommended, and make that more informed purchase.
You can see exactly what is in stock and when it will be delivered. If an item is out of stock with us, we will make it clear on the product page.
If you see "You missed it" on any of our product pages (as shown above) it just means that that set or item is currently out of stock and that no orders can be taken for it.
It does not mean the product has been discontinued, and you can rest assured that we’ll be working hard to ensure that we have stock asap.
Once we know the product is due in stock we will update the product page with an option to pre-order.
This is activated on our website as soon as we have a confirmed restocking date. You’ll see that marked on the main product image too, in an information box at the top left that looks like this:
When we developed our collection we wanted to create a range of garden furniture that was comfortable, sturdy and designed to stand up to the elements.
We wanted to pair style with substance. Create pieces that will enhance the patio dining experience and sit on those patios for the next 10 years without going out of style.
However, what’s probably most important if you shop online for garden furniture, is how you can overcome/remove the perceived disadvantages compared to shopping in a physical store.
Many consumers will worry about things like the risk of fraud, security/safe online shopping, shipping, delivery times, returns, not knowing exactly what you’re getting from a photo, complicated websites, etc.
However, if you ask us, the advantages of shopping online for gardenfurniture far outweigh the disadvantages.
To do so safely, follow these steps:
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Look for the padlock
Never buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn't have SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption installed. With Lazy Susan you know we have SSL because the URL or web address for our website starts with HTTPS and not just HTTP. You will also see a small locked padlock icon next to it in your address bar or status bar. HTTPS is the industry standard now, even on non-shopping websites such as the BBC. In fact, the Google Chrome browser will now flag any webpage without HTTPS as "not secure” -
Do a background check on the seller
It is usually pretty easy to spot the wheat from the chaff! One of the main things we would advise you to look for is a real address and a working contact telephone number. If in doubt, pick up the phone and speak to them. One quick phone call to the Lazy Susan team and you know you’re dealing with a company that puts customer service at the heart of everything we do. -
Read reviews and testimonials
Online reviews are one of the best ways to get a real flavour of who you’re buying from. That’s not to say reviews can’t be faked. If it is all a little too positive, then that could be a red flag. Any business, us included, will make mistakes. Damaged products and late shipments happen. The reviews should reflect that. This is also why we have partnered with Trustpilot for our testimonials. It ensures that the reviews you’re reading are all genuine, and they’ve been written by people who have purchased patio furniture from Lazy Susan. This is backed up by our customer photo gallery (you’ll also find these on many of our product pages and marketing materials), which shows our garden furniture on customers' patios. -
Try before you buy
This is the tricky one when shopping online. What if you want to try before you buy? That’s easy if you pop to your local DIY/Home store (as long as they have it on display in-store). Our solution to this is threefold: First, we offer a Free Sample Pack. This lets you see the metal finish of our garden chairs and tables and the fabric swatches for our cushions and parasols. It gives you a feel for the quality of our range. Second, we have our Trustpilot reviews and our Customer Photos. They showcase our furniture better than we can. The reviews give real feedback on both the product and service, whilst the photos are a testament to high customer satisfaction and they show you exactly what our furniture could look like on your patio. And lastly, we have our Returns policy. You must understand the returns policy before you make any purchases online. It is important to know that if for any reason you’re unhappy with the product, you can return it. You can view our full Terms & Conditions, and if you have any further questions about purchasing patio furniture from us, then please don’t hesitate to contact the Customer Services team.
A good patio is more than just outdoor furniture...
We often say in these types of guides that the garden furniture is the most important element on a patio, and we stand by that.
However, a well-designed patio needs all the other elements such as hardscaping, landscaping, accessorisation, etc to come together and work in harmony.
Yes, you will certainly use the garden furniture the most, but the experience is only enhanced by what’s around it. Often, it is the details that truly make a space work.
Take a patio table and pair it with garden lighting and a patio heater and you can extend that use long into the evening, for example.
Garden furniture made from materials such as our painted cast aluminium is constructed to stand up to the elements. That said cover it and bring in cushions and parasols inside when it rains or snows to keep them clean and ready to use.
The patio should be an extension of your home. An extra room without the need (and cost) to extend your property. A mix of different types of garden furniture (if you have the space) will give you flexibility and further increase how often you can use it.
Just don’t be swayed by the latest fad or trend. A good patio set should last at least 5 to 10 years. Keep it simple and sturdy!
There’s also a wide variety of materials, styles and designs on the market but don’t let that overwhelm you. Do some research and narrow it down to the material, shape and style that works for you and your outdoor space.
If you have any questions when it comes to purchasing garden furniture from us, then please get in touch via our Email Form or you can call us on 01243 68 43 88.
Our Customer Service team are always happy to help!
