Great garden furniture

Adam’s guide to some of the best garden furniture available

I’ve got a slight confession to make – rarely, do I make the time to properly sit down in the garden and enjoy the fruits of my labour. I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m keen to change that though and sit, take stock and enjoy my outside space a little more. So this issue I’ve selected my top garden furniture picks, with something for every sized garden on offer, I’ve got you covered.

Comfy chair

Recognising that not all gardens allow for large furniture, the beautifully characteristic Rosedene chair from Forest Garden is a great answer for small and spacious gardens alike. Wooden furniture always gives a timeless look and this chair is no different. The timber used has been heat-treated to protect it from the elements, but you’ve got the option of staining or painting it yourself too, to match your garden or leave it natural as it comes. Personally, I think this pairs very well with any of the other pieces in the Rosedene range to create a setting you’ll want to relax in for hours. See forestgarden.co.uk for the full range. The Rosedene chair has an RRP of £189.99

Brilliant bench

Another classic-looking design comes in the form of the three-seater Sandwick bench from Winawood. There is a real point of difference for the range here, not least of all the variety of colours available, but these sleek looking benches also hold a secret. They make look wooden but they are actually made from recycled polymer and so are fully recyclable themselves. The huge advantage of the material is that there is no rotting and no need for you to protect them in any way. When I first saw these and was told they were made of polymer I thought they would be quite light and flimsy, but they have the same weight and heft of wood which is a winning combination in my opinion. In addition to this, the colour is blended within the polymer which means it won’t fade or scratch off over time. Available from maisonandgarden.co.uk, with an RRP of £409.

Beautiful bistro

Something we’ve always had in our garden is a simple, yet stylish bistro set, and I’ve got the best choice for you if you’re looking for one too. A bistro set is essentially a set of two chairs and a small table that is an ideal solution for small gardens, courtyards or balconies but that doesn’t mean that they need to be boring. The Avalon set from Hillier is a small but perfectly formed metal set with ornamental decoration on the seats and the table. Not only does a bistro set give you somewhere to eat outside, but it’s also an additional space to style and display pots or small containers full of beautiful plants and flowers.

See gardenhealth.com, for bistro set styling inspiration starting at an RRP of £12.99

Egg-cellent Egg!

No garden, in my mind, is complete without a chair that resembles an egg! Egg chairs are all the rage at the moment and you can see why when you look at this luxury Apolima egg chair from B&Q. Egg chairs are everywhere, but this one really stands out by adding a contemporary feel to any garden. Made from a beautiful rattan construction, this makes it very easy to clean, but there are also covers available from B&Q to fit this design. The brown and ebony colours are modern and sleek, so it’ll fit right in with almost any garden setting, no matter what. Complete with the cushion (pictured), you have everything you need right in the box, to get you started. Picture yourself with a glass of something cold in one hand, and a book in the other and you’re not far from the perfect summer afternoon. See diy.com, with an RRP of £350