As the weather begins to improve after what has felt like an interminably wet and grey winter, your thoughts might be beginning to turn to morning coffee and al fresco lunches in the garden. Whether you have a large garden, a small shady courtyard or a balcony, furnishing it with comfortable chairs and a practical table will ensure that you use it to its full potential. Innovations in weather-resistant materials have made possible a wide variety of different looks and styles, at a range of budgets. Here’s our pick of the new collections to know about.
Ikea: £
Spanning everything from modular seating to compact dining solutions, Ikea’s accessible, design-focused range has a particular emphasis on small outside spaces. Durable, low-maintenance materials such as powder-coated steel, plastics and sustainably sourced woods ensure longevity, while clean, unfussy silhouettes reflect the brand’s Scandinavian design approach. Recent launches also highlight how to “zone” outdoor areas, using furniture and planting to create distinct areas for sitting and dining, even in smaller settings.
A good example is the Visingsö chair (£50) and matching table, an ideal set for balconies and courtyards. The lightweight powder-coated steel frames are designed for durability, and the stackable design and compact footprint of the chairs make the set particularly well suited to storing over winter.
Habitat: £
Habitat’s latest outdoor collection has a relaxed, mid-century style, with layered rattans, light woods and powder-coated metals. The earthy green tones and natural textures of the collection will help it to blend in with planting, and the contemporary, gently curved silhouettes of the dining sets make them perfect for urban gardens. The overall effect is a collection that is both playful and practical, designed for easy outdoor living.
A key piece is the Ivy stripe rattan accent chair (£120) below. With its graphic cushion and lightweight woven frame, it will bring a fresh, slightly nostalgic note to an alfresco set-up, introducing colour and personality, not to mention a comfortable spot to sit with a book on a sunny morning.
Dunelm: £
Dunelm’s new-season outdoor offering includes a collection by interior designer Sophie Robinson, known for her love of bold colour, playful pattern and a cheerful vibe. Inspired by Moroccan courtyards, her latest collection includes patterned wicker chairs and stools, a mosaic table and an eye-catching parasol, all under £100.
For those who prefer a more muted style, Dunelm also has a new collection of pieces in understated colours and tactile materials such as jute and faux rattan. A highlight is the Sydney rope folding egg chair (£149) below, which combines sculptural style with a practical, folding design – perfect for unpredictable British weather.
Atkin & Thyme: ££
For outdoor furniture that looks almost as though it could be used indoors, take a look at the garden range from Atkin & Thyme, which has a polished, design-led aesthetic. The deeper, more comfortable seats and tactile yet weather-resilient fabrics of the sofas, chairs and loungers mirror the comfort of indoor furniture, and are designed to encourage regular outdoor dining rather than occasional entertaining.
I love the Olivia lounge set (£1,379), which includes a two-seater sofa, two lounge chairs and a set of nesting coffee tables. It’s made from powder-coated aluminium in a soft terracotta colourway and is lightweight yet sturdy, and the fabric of the cushions is water-repellant and UV-resistant. The rope-effect detailing on the chairs and around the table, and the polished-concrete effect of the tabletops, give the set an elevated look.
Cox & Cox: ££
Another outdoor collection that brings the ease of indoor living into the garden can be found at Cox & Cox, which combines rustic natural textures with clean, contemporary design. Highlights this year include the Mora dining set (£1,295) below, combining a solid wooden table with curved, woven wicker chairs and the Skansen lounge set (£2,495) in warm-toned eucalyptus with generously cushioned seats.
The sculptural Savila chair (£425) below, woven in faux wicker in a light, airy style, has a round base, curved back and plush, weather-resistant cushions, and would instantly add a holiday feel to a garden or balcony.
John Lewis: ££
The new outdoor collection from John Lewis includes both classic-style garden furniture and some surprisingly contemporary, design-led pieces – for example the Cove woven sofa (£749) which has a designer look, some chic metal benches, and glazed, concrete-effect side tables. The four-seater Marlow lounge set (£999), in lightweight, powder-coated aluminium and comfortable shower-proof cushions, comes in stylish deep green, black or taupe and would suit a modern, urban outside space, while wicker Harbour Weave collection below offers a more rustic, farmhouse-style look.
My attention was drawn to the Solara range (from £199), which combines architectural metalwork with deep, inviting cushions. The piped detailing on the cushions, and the mosaic cement tiles of the table give this collection a designer edge.
Soho Home: £££
Soho Home has built a reputation for cool, contemporary design, which it builds on with its latest outdoor collection. Inspired by laid-back settings such as Soho Farmhouse Ibiza and Barcelona Pool House, it includes outdoor-friendly iterations of some of its best-selling indoor pieces, such as the Odell sofa (£8,495) below in weather-resistant teak with removable cushions, and the sculptural, concrete Oxley coffee table (£1,495).
A sophisticated palette of olive green, rust, chocolate brown and mushroom runs throughout, and there are some statement pieces too, such as the Tuuci parasol (£5,995) and geometric-patterned Celia sunlounger (£3,495). One of my favourites is the Dayton outdoor coffee table (£895) below, which has a clover-shaped top with softly rounded edges on a tapered pedestal base.
Neptune: £££
Blending traditional and contemporary designs for a timeless look, Neptune’s outdoor range consists of pieces built to last from solid teak, powder-coated metal and all-weather wicker. The aesthetic is quietly sophisticated and comfortable, with classic silhouettes and a neutral palette.
The Longmeadow range (from £450) below offers a modern interpretation of traditional wicker furniture in a warm honey tone, and its light lattice construction allows sunlight to pass through, lending a softer, relaxed feel designed for long afternoons outdoors.
Ligne Roset: ££££
Ligne Roset’s outdoor collection reflects the same quiet confidence and design rigour that define its interior pieces. Rather than chasing seasonal trends, the brand focuses on enduring forms and materials, resulting in furniture that feels as relevant on a city terrace as it does in a modern living room.
The Murtoli sofa above is a piece that encapsulates this approach. Low-slung and generously proportioned, it’s designed to adapt effortlessly to different settings and encourages lounging and gathering. New designs are set to launch in April.