It’s almost spring, which means it’s getting near that time of year when we can start spending time in our outdoor spaces again. 

On the market today there are many different types of garden furniture from top brands such as Bramblecrest and Kettler. All these leading brands boast a wide range of styles to suit the current trends or exterior design of your garden. 

In this article, we dive into the pros and cons of different garden furniture and their features, including how to choose the right size garden furniture set for your patio.

Aluminium garden furniture

In recent years, we’ve seen dark grey aluminium garden furniture grow in popularity, becoming a trend that seems ready to continue into the future. Not only do these metal sets look great, but they are also hard-wearing, lightweight and made from aluminium, meaning they won’t rust on your patio and are easy to keep clean.

With ranges from big names like Life and Bramblecrest offering some sleek and stylish pieces, it’s no wonder this material is so popular with customers. 

We love the San Marino 3-seater set from the Bramblecrest garden furniture range with its sleek lines, and the Timber High-Arm Soltex corner sofa set from Life Outdoor Living with its beautiful weather-resistant cushions. The 8-Seat Rectangular Dining Set from Hartman Amalfi is a truly stunning bit of outdoor furniture with its classic design that many people love.

These sets tie in very well with the popular Titan and cube pergolas in the same colour frame, to give your outdoor seating area shade or weather protection.

Rattan weave furniture (wicker)

The majority of garden furniture brands offer a selection of weave furniture nowadays – this style has been very popular in recent years. They’re usually built with aluminium frames which are lightweight and rust-free, and then the synthetic rattan weave, which is hardwearing, easy to clean and low maintenance, is added around it. Rattan tends to be more expensive, but it’s worth it for the beautiful look it offers.

Rattan comes in many different colours. Kettler favours oyster and whitewash shades, while Bramblecrest prefers dove grey or sandstone. Grey colours are popular, but sandstone and more natural shades remain the favourite.

There are different qualities of weave depending on the price and brand. The cheapest style is the flat weave effect, which is very thin and will break down quickly – you’ll likely find these at a hardware store. Then there’s the D shape, which is half flat and half rounded, which is much harder-wearing but with a slightly different look, like the Bramblecrest garden furniture set below.

Wood furniture

We stock a small range of wooden furniture with a beautiful traditional look, but it can be harder to look after and maintain. The best wooden garden furniture on the market is by Alexander Rose, who offers a great range of dining sets and garden benches.

Set types

Depending on your patio or decking set up, or the size of your family or friendship circle, you should first decide what type of garden set you need and how you intend to use the furniture.

You may want to dine and eat outside with family and friends, or maybe just relax in the sunshine with a drink after a long day. Below are a few types of sets which will help you decide which is best for you.

Corner sets

Corner sets are a very sociable set up, and great for the corner of your garden or where you have a sun trap. Relaxing and spacious, this type of garden furniture set has been very popular in-store and online. 

Sofa sets

Sofa sets usually come with a two or three-seat sofa, two arm chairs, and a table. Because of the amount of furniture typically included, you’ll need a bit more patio space for this set up. One of the great benefits of a set like this is being able to move the single armchairs to wherever you fancy, making sure you’re always in the shade or always facing the sun.

These can be laid out in many ways, but the two most popular are the arm chairs directly opposite the sofa for a face-to-face set up, or the arm chairs either end of the table for a more relaxed set up.

Dining sets

Depending on the size of your patio, garden, or even large balconies, some customers have a corner set and dining sets to match. Dining sets offer a much more comfortable setup for eating, especially when enjoying a BBQ. They come in the following sizes: bistro, 4 seat sets, 6 seat sets, or 8 seat sets, with tables that can be round, square, oval, or rectangle. With some brands, you can purchase extra chairs to accommodate more friends and family.

Types of tables

All of the sets we’ve talked about in this post typically come with a table, and with other different features to suit your needs. 

Fire table sets

Fire pit tables are incredibly popular. They take the evening chill away, create a lovely ambiance, and offer a dining experience with the option of cooking griddles.

High-low

These tables give you two height options that make them great for different styles of entertaining: high for dining, nibbles and drinks, or low for a casual drinks or coffee atmosphere. It takes seconds to change the height, ready to accommodate your needs all from one table.

Outdoor cushions

Garden furniture cushions are a vital part of the comfort for your outdoor living experience. Not only do you need something comfortable and stylish, but you also need materials that are mold resistant and shower-proof or water resistant 

Something to look out for is ventilation on the base of the cushions. This allows for airflow, which helps to stop mold build-up on the product, and waterproof backing in the covers to stop water ingress. 

Gazebos and parasols

For those looking to ensure they have a little shade when relaxing or entertaining outdoors, a gazebo, pergola or parasol is the answer.

Gazebos

A gazebo is freestanding with a fully covered roof, great for providing shade to those resting or eating underneath. Their sides are typically open, but many brands offer designs with curtains to pull across if you’d like privacy.

Pergolas

These are fixed, weather-resistant structures, typically made of beams and with a roof that can be open, closed, or anywhere in between when the option of adjustments is there. These are perfect as a garden focal point, for when you like the sun one day and shade the next, or for if you’d like to stay outside should the weather turn a little sour.

Parasols

These large umbrellas are perfect for movable shade as you can pick them up and move them around the garden with you. Typically for sitting inside or at the edge of a table, parasols make eating outside in the sunshine a dream.

Garden furniture sets at Norwich Camping and Leisure

Is your garden ready for spring? We’ve got all the garden furniture you need to enjoy your garden as the seasons change and our days get warmer. Visit us at our shop in Blofield, Norfolk and pick out your favourite pieces of furniture for your garden, patio, conservatory or balcony. We have an incredible range of seating and dining sets for you to see and try out in person, with our knowledgeable team on standby should you have any questions or need recommendations.

If you find a garden furniture set online that you love elsewhere and it’s cheaper than we sell it for, then let us know and we’ll price match it. That’s a Norwich Camping guarantee. 

If you’re further out than Norfolk and can’t visit us, simply give us a call on 01603 717600 to enquire about your favourite online furniture sets in our online ranges.