Tips for Buying Outdoor Furniture

Your outdoor space is the finishing touch in designing your dream home. It’s a place to entertain, relax and make memories with friends and family. In our Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide, you’ll find tips for buying outdoor furniture suited to your space, whether a bistro dining set for an urban courtyard garden, a bench overlooking your grassy lawn, or a swing chair to read in the afternoon sun.

1. What is the best outdoor furniture to buy?

Buy furniture that works for your needs. If your garden is a place for the kids to play and explore, outdoor storage is essential to keep toys tidied away. Or maybe you’re looking forward to hosting friends for an afternoon wine on a comfy lounge set. Our outdoor furniture buying guide starts with how you plan to use your outdoor patio furniture. From here, get creative with style, size and budget.

2. What is your outdoor area like?

Size is an obvious (but often overlooked) consideration when deciding what is the best outdoor furniture to buy. Smaller spaces can feel swamped by oversized tables or lounges. A large, open-plan garden will benefit from versatile furniture to suit evolving needs.

3. What materials are best for your needs and environment?

Sun, rain and wind wreak havoc on your outdoor furniture. Plastics splinter in cooler temperatures, and lightweight aluminium materials struggle in high winds. Check your sun lounger fabric is UV and moisture-resistant, and that the frame is an all-weather material. Style your space, save spending and seize summer with our durable, colourfast and weather-resistant range.

Image features: Retro 6 Seater Dining Table, Rhodes Outdoor Dining Chair, Rhodes Carver Outdoor Dining Chair

4. How much effort are you willing to put into maintaining your patio furniture?

Be realistic with how much time you have to maintain your outdoor furniture. If you’re time-poor, steer clear of woods that fade and need re-oiling over time. Regardless of how much (or little) time is available, one of our top tips for buying outdoor furniture is to cover or store the furniture when not in use.

5. Are you looking for long-lasting luxury or a replaceable low-cost option?

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Luxury items use higher-quality materials built to last, whereas cheaper styles may fade and damage faster. Luxury furniture will stand the test of time if you’ve just moved into your forever home. Those wanting a comfortable ‘now’ option may be less worried about the lasting quality of the materials.

6. What outdoor furniture is most comfortable for you?

Rugs and cushions are a must-have for outdoor lounging, plus many options are in fast-drying fabrics for poolside splashes. Farewell, fidgets trying to get comfortable on a hard wooden bench — hello, cushioned comfort. Many deck chairs now benefit from ergonomically-designed spinal support, leg inclination and armrests, too!

Image features: Black Rhodes Carver Outdoor Dining Chair

7. Do you want to be able to rearrange or use outdoor furniture for different purposes?

Get savvy when deciding what is the best outdoor furniture to buy to evolve with your needs. Extendable tables add extra seating to grow with your guest count. A folding table and stackable chairs can be packed down and stored away – ideal for smaller backyards. Your morning coffee table could make the perfect work-from-home desk!

8. What’s important to consider when buying outdoor furniture online?

Shopping online removes the ability to ‘try before you buy’. It’s important to read the description for measurements, materials, colour and weather durability – this will save you time and money on unexpected deliveries that don’t fit your space.

9. Biggest Mistakes to Avoid when Buying Patio Furniture

1. Not measuring the space

Pick items sized for your deck, balcony or lawn.

2. Valuing form over function

Remember your furniture has to work for you, as well as have the ‘wow’ factor.

3. Ignoring the elements

Look at where your new furniture will be and what weather conditions it will be up against. Think sun, wind, cold and rain.

4. Skimping on storage and covers

The simplest way to keep your outdoor furniture looking fresh for longer.

10. How to Buy Outdoor Accessories

Like your home, your garden is a blank canvas to style your way. Once you’ve shopped the key pieces – like your outdoor chairs, table and lounge – add a personalised flair with outdoor accessories. Create an inviting outdoor dining ambience with lighting, toast marshmallows over a fire pit and welcome toe-tingling comfort with a rug. An umbrella is a must-have accessory for a sun-safe garden. Create a natural flow by choosing colours and patterns in keeping with your home design.

Image features: Sol 2 Seater Outdoor Bistro Set

Our Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide

With these tips for Buying Outdoor Furniture, you’ll be ready to turn your outdoor space into a stylish and functional extension of your home. Get outside with our outdoor furniture buying guide – shop the range today!