Garden Furniture

Depends on the furniture. Aluminium and weatherproof wicker like our Pedra and Albany ranges are designed to handle British weather year round. Rain, frost, the occasional surprise heatwave. They won't rust, rot, or throw a tantrum.

That said, "can" and "should" are different questions. Leaving furniture out over winter without covers will shorten its life. Cushions especially. UV fades fabric, standing water encourages mould, and nobody wants to sit on a soggy cushion come April.

Best approach: leave the frames out (they can take it), bring cushions and soft furnishings inside or into a dry storage box, and use furniture covers for the worst of winter. It takes ten minutes and adds years.

A bucket of warm soapy water and a soft cloth will sort most things.

For wicker and rattan weave, a gentle scrub with washing up liquid gets rid of pollen, bird deposits, and whatever else the summer left behind. Rinse with a hose and let it air dry. Don't use a pressure washer, it'll damage the weave and you'll regret it.

Aluminium frames just need wiping down. They're the low maintenance friend of the garden furniture world. If anything's looking a bit green or mossy, a mix of warm water and white vinegar will shift it without damaging the finish.

Cushion covers: check the care label, but most can go in the machine on a gentle cycle. Remove them before they get properly grubby and you won't be fighting stains in May.

If you’re interested in learning more, read our guide on how to clean garden furniture.

A bistro set. Two chairs, one table, no fuss.

If you've got a balcony or a courtyard rather than a rolling lawn, a compact bistro set gives you somewhere to sit without eating the whole space. Our Granchester range works well for this, it's designed to tuck in rather than spread out.

If you want more seating without the footprint, a corner sofa set makes smarter use of space than separate chairs and a table. It pushes into an L-shape against a wall or fence, and the corner seat nobody actually sits in becomes bonus cushion storage.

Avoid anything that needs pulling out, unfolding, or assembling every time you want to use it. If it's a hassle, you just won't bother. The best garden furniture for a small space is whatever you'll actually sit on.

If you're stuck and pondering what may work best for your scenario in particular, our Small Garden Ideas article helps you make the most of compact outdoor spaces.

Covers, covers, covers. And a dry spot for the cushions.

Invest in proper fitted furniture covers. The generic tarpaulin-over-everything approach traps moisture underneath and creates the exact problem you're trying to avoid. Our furniture covers are designed to fit each range properly, with ventilation to stop condensation building up.

Bring soft furnishings inside. Cushions, throws, anything fabric. A garden storage box works if you haven't got a shed or garage. The key is keeping them dry and out of direct contact with cold, damp surfaces.

For the frames themselves, aluminium and powder-coated steel can stay out. Give everything a clean before you cover it up for winter. Dirt left on over the cold months is harder to shift come spring and can cause discolouration.