8 best outdoor sofas for style without the silly price tag

The best outdoor sofas can help make life lovely and create a garden that is just as comfy and stylish as your indoor space. They're more affordable than you might think, and they’re perfect for laid-back garden living and outdoor get-togethers, which have fast become the staple socialising choice. By upgrading your garden furniture you can make the most of all year-round entertaining with weatherproof, durable yet stylish pieces.

There are a host of outdoor sofas available including lightweight, easy-to-move designs, and modular styles, enabling you to switch up the furniture layout to suit your space as well as the occasion. Alternatively, opt for larger sofas such as sofa dining sets, perfect for enjoying lunch outdoors in the warm weather or catching up with friends.

Best outdoor sofas at a glance:

• Best compact garden sofa: Outsunny Wicker 2 Seater Rattan Sofa - view offer on Amazon UK
• Best aluminium outdoor sofa: Outsunny 3pcs Garden Sectional Sofa – view on B&Q
• Best garden sofa set that's a little bit different: Habitat Noah 5 Piece Steel Sofa Set – view on JDFurniture

One of the most important considerations is the size of your sofa. It's got to fit in your garden after all! Are you after a sofa for a feet-up coffee or lounge, or to create a social area in your garden. Think about the number of people you'll like to seat as this'll give you a heads up on the size and shape best needed to ensure your sofa transforms how you use your outdoor space without swamping it.

Most of us with a modern garden design like to keep adding a little something or swapping planters around, to subtly switch up the look, and the best outdoor sofas will allow you to take this fun to a whole new level.

Best outdoor sofa

How we chose the best outdoor sofas

All of these outdoor sofas have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the style, seating capacity, and materials in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching outdoor sofas to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.

FAQs

Set the scene for your outdoor sofa

Want to create your own outdoor living space? If you've got your best outdoor sofa set, position the chairs directly facing the sofa, with the coffee table taking centre stage for a real sense-of-occasion, or arrange them in a loose L-shape for a more laid-back vibe.

Group furniture around an outdoor rug and add in large container plants for a secluded feel, or just use the two chairs with an outdoor lamp or swag of festoon lights if you’re after instant twilight charm.

Take the outdoor room feel one step further by adding a ceiling. A shade sail overhead will lend some shelter from sun or a light shower, or position the furniture under a pergola laden with scented climbers. Add in garden lights and plenty of decorative cushions, even an embroidered wall hanging to hide the fence or wall, along with a soothing water feature, and you’ll create an irresistible and intimate garden retreat.

The real joy of furnishing any space – inside or out – lies in discovering pieces that we love, so have fun researching before you buy. Intricate open weaves, elegant rope styles, pale woods, and painted neutral shades are all stunningly seductive and make smart future-proof purchases.

What do I need to know about the metal that's used to make garden furniture?

Wrought iron

This is a malleable form of iron that is worked with tools. Wrought is actually an archaic word for 'worked' so the literal meaning is worked iron. Because this process is done by hand, you get a hammered finish and is mostly associated with traditional metal furniture. It requires regular maintenance and will patina over time.

Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that is stronger and more durable as a result of the smelting and oxidisation process. It's the strongest metal used in furniture making, but it's also heavier and more expensive. Untreated steel can be susceptible to rust.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a unique metal that's non-magnetic and widely used in everyday items. It's the ideal material for outdoor furniture because it's lightweight, sturdy and won't corrode. Aluminium is a lot lighter than steel or iron because it's a less dense material. When cleaning aluminium garden furniture, use warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth.

What is the best material for outdoor furniture?

The most common materials for outdoor furniture from all the best garden furniture brands are aluminium, rattan, stainless steel, wood, and wrought iron. Obviously the strongest of these are the metals, with wood, like the popular option of teak, coming in second. The benefit of rattan furniture is that it is lightweight, so can easily be moved around your outside space.

What to read next:

Laidback garden benches

Curved garden sofas perfect for a modern patio

Buyers' guide: Best buy garden hanging cocoon chairs

Subscribe to Modern Gardens magazine and get the most out of your outdoor space. Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice in every issue of Modern Gardens. View our latest subscription offers to save on shop prices.

Angela Kenny is production editor of Modern Gardens magazine. She loves spending time in her garden with her husband Alan and their three cats Rupert, Darcy and Frankie.