13 best garden sofas to buy now
Best garden sofas
‘Bringing the outside’ in has become something of a catchphrase for fabric and paint companies as they try to persuade you to decorate in bold hues of green or calming earthy tones. Yet, after months of hibernation and dreary weather, the days are stretching out much longer, lighter and warmer ahead of us, so wouldn't it be nicer to bring the inside out?
One of the best ways to do this is to create a welcoming garden. As well as pretty planting schemes arranged in flowerbeds or smart pots, the best garden furniture, such as benches, garden chairs, fire pits or parasols all have the ability to make an alfresco space more welcoming, no matter its size or shape. However, if you only invest in one thing for your outdoor area, we suggest you choose a garden sofa. An outdoor sofa is a hardworking piece of furniture that'll see you through many a season. You can cosy up on it to read in front of a patio heater on the cooler days of spring or autumn, use it as a sun lounger in the midday heat of summer or, in the case of some particular storage garden sofas, keep gardening tools inside it.
Best garden sofas to buy for summer 2026
Colourful, comfy and versatile, this is a smart two seater you'll want to hang on to for years to come. The frame is solid and sturdy teak, which will age naturally over time, while withstanding all weather conditions. The plump cushions are ideal for sinking into on a sunny day, while the dusky rose colour will contrast beautifully with any greenery surrounding the sofa.
A generously proportioned 3 seater sofa, with the addition of a chaise for putting your feet up, which is unusual for a garden sofa. It is crafted from PE rattan, which is much more hardy and better suited than natural rattan for outdoor use. The set also comes with a coordinating glass-topped coffee table.
This two seat sofa is a real steal. We would purchase some pretty outdoor cushions in a lovely colourful fabric to make it seem more expensive and luxurious than it is.
If you're looking for something bespoke and custom made, look no further than George Smith. Smith is the designer of the outdoor furniture used in Soho Houses across the world, including those famous striped benches in the New York seat. What sets them apart though, is that their outdoor offering is the same as their indoor one, just covered in outdoor suitable fabrics (good information to know before you try to navigate their website), so you're not limited to the boxy outdoor shapes that populate so many garden furniture shops' ranges.
How to choose a garden sofa?
Before you purchase, make sure you consider how much space you have for your sofa. Always measure twice and, if the surface allows, you can tape the space to help you envision whether or not it'll be the correct size. A rattan garden sofa is a pretty choice, but bear in mind that unless it is made from a faux rattan, it isn't the most weather resistant, so your pieces will have to be put away or covered through rainier months.
Can a garden sofa be left outside?
To answer this question, you first need to know that the answer depends on location and material. If you are planning on keeping your garden sofa in a sheltered area (against a wall, or on a patio), then you are probably safer to keep it outside than if it's exposed from every angle and to every element. The second consideration you need to make is of the material. Faux rattan is designed to be weather resistant and often UV protected, unlike its natural counterpart. The latter should never be left out for long periods of time. Metal frames needs to be rust free–a powder coated steel should be the ticket here.
