How to buy the best sun loungers and outdoor seating

If you're looking to buy outdoor seating or sun loungers for the first time, you need to think about who will be using them, how much they cost, what they're made from and how they look.

To help you choose, we've listed the most common seating designs, along with the pros and cons. 

We've also highlighted various features to look out for, and listed some of the popular retailers to buy your garden furniture from.

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How to choose the best garden furniture: at a glance

Here are some of the most important questions to think about before you buy:

• What will you be using your sun loungers and outdoor seating for? With such a wide range of furniture available, you need to think carefully about how you plan to use them. You might just want a couple of sun loungers to relax on when the weather's nice, or perhaps you're looking for a complete outdoor sofa set so you can host dinner parties for family and friends.
• Are they easy to store? The UK is generally only warm enough to sit outside comfortably for around six months a year. With this in mind, you'll need to consider where or how you'll store your garden furniture in winter. How heavy are they, for example? Do they come with And can they easily fold away?
• How much will they cost? Prices can range from as little as £15 for a basic folding chair to more than £1,000 for a high-end day bed. High street stores and supermarkets will have their own range if you're looking for something at the lower end of the price range, while designer options are also readily available if you're willing to pay more. 

Where to buy sun loungers and outdoor seating

Below we've rounded up some of the most popular high street stores and websites that sell garden furniture. 

Remember to check the returns policy and any warranties before you buy.  

• Aldi stocks a range of patio furniture online; in-store stock varies based on where you shop. Online, you'll find twin stool packs, benches, rocking  and egg chairs, among other products. 
• Amazon sells almost all types of outdoor seating, so if you struggle to find what you want elsewhere, it might be worth a look.
• Argos has patio sets, sun loungers, hammocks and more. If it's an outdoor sofa set you're after, it has options starting from £150.
• B&M has a range of metal and rattan sun loungers, as well as zero-gravity and folding chairs. It also sells wooden chairs, benches and other garden furniture, which comes with a 15-year guarantee against rot and fungal decay. 
• B&Q stocks a selection of garden seating, including egg chairs, day beds and armchairs. Its basic garden chairs start at around £20.
• Dunelm sells plenty of stylish chair and sofa sets from less than £200. 
• Ikea stocks everything from folding metal and wooden chairs to loveseats and large modular corner sofas.
• John Lewis houses lots of own-brand options, as well as seating from big names such as Kettler and Fiam. As well as chairs and benches, it also stocks an outdoor beanbag in a range of colours.
• Kettler is one of the most widely stocked garden furniture retailers, with more than 400 stockists nationwide. Its wicker, wood and mesh garden furniture is covered by a three-year warranty.
• The Range stocks garden chairs, lounge sets, benches and sun loungers. Zero-gravity sun beds start at less than £40.

Types of outdoor seating

Picking the right garden furniture will depend on your budget, style preference and size of outdoor space. Below you will find the main types available:

Sun loungers

Pros

• They come in a range of designs and colours
• Most are adjustable and can be moved easily 
• More affordable options are available

Cons

• You need space to store them in winter
• Or you might need to buy covers to protect them from the elements

You don't have to go abroad to enjoy time on a sun lounger – if you have a garden with a sunny spot, it might be worth buying your own. The most basic can cost as little as £20, while bespoke offerings can set you back a few hundred pounds. 

At their most basic, sun loungers comprise a metal frame with a polyester back and seat. You can also find wood or rattan models in contemporary designs, which may include cushions and drinks holders. 

Deckchairs

Pros 

• Foldable design makes them great if you're short on space

Cons

• Generally don't have armrests
• Often non-adjustable

There aren't many things in life that feel as quintessentially British as a stripy folding deckchair. Synonymous with trips to the seaside, this type of outdoor seating is widely available for around £20, although you can occasionally find them for £10 or less. 

Deckchairs are traditionally made from wood and canvas fabric, and it's their simplicity that makes them so popular. As with sun loungers, you'll need somewhere to store them when not in use but they don't take up as much room.

Recliners 

Pros

• Combines a sun lounger and chair, so you only need to buy one seat
• Available in a range of designs 
• Often foldable, so convenient for travelling or camping
• Budget options available

Cons

• Requires storage in colder months

Recliners are somewhere between sun loungers and garden chairs. They're a popular design if you like to sit upright but might also want to rest or snooze in a more horizontal position. On many models, you simply lift the armrests to recline the chair, although this depends on the design. Some models come with adjustable footrests.  

Prices range from around £40 in some high street stores, to hundreds of pounds for higher-end models. They're sometimes sold in matching pairs.

Day beds

Pros

• Multiple people can use a day bed at the same time

Cons

• Not suitable for smaller outdoor areas
• Large space needed to store the bed out of season
• Can be a lot more expensive than other options

If you thought beds were confined to the bedroom, think again – day beds have been finding their way into gardens as part of a growing trend.

A day bed starts at around £200 for a basic design, but prices can jump to well over £1,000 for a premium model. 

Benches

Pros

• Some benches are weather-resistant so you can leave them outdoors all year round
• Budget options available

Cons

• Can be heavy and difficult to move

If you're looking for more traditional outdoor seating, a bench might be the answer. Often made of wood, metal or plastic, they come in a wide range of designs, from handmade bespoke to flat-pack options straight off the production line. 

Prices can start from less than £100 from high street stores and go up to a few hundred pounds. 

Sofas

Pros

• Great for socialising and entertaining
• Come in a huge variety of designs and colours
• More affordable options available

Cons

• Need to be covered or stored away in colder/wetter seasons
• Spilt drinks and mucky paws can spoil the fabric
• Can be expensive 

Garden sofas are becoming increasingly popular, as people opt for outdoor furniture that's more comfortable than hard chairs around a patio table. Garden sofas essentially allow people to lounge outside when it's warm, and are brilliant for entertaining guests. 

There's a huge variety of designs in terms of materials, sizes, colours and shapes. Prices start at around £300 and can go up to £2,000 for luxury options. 

Hammocks and swings

Pros

• Easy to take down and store
• Gently swinging is thought to increase relaxation 

Cons

• Will need to stored or covered during colder/wetter seasons

For many people, the ultimate relaxation experience is lying back in a hammock watching the clouds drift by overhead. And you don't need two large tree trunks to tie a hammock to, as some options come with a freestanding metal frame. 

If getting in and out of a hammock sounds like hard work, there are plenty of alternatives, such as hanging egg chairs, or more traditional swing chairs. Hammocks can cost as little as £10, with swinging egg chairs typically costing £150-£250. 

Rocking chairs

Pros 

• Gentle rocking is thought to increase relaxation
• There are models to suit all budgets
• Depending on the material, rocking chairs can be left outside for most of the year

Cons

• Can be heavy compared with standard chairs because of the extra material used to build
• Not typically foldable, so might be harder to stow away  

A garden rocking chair can add a whimsical vibe to your outdoor area. They're typically made from wood, wicker or plastic, and prices start from around £80.

Want to know more about materials, furnishings and covers? Read our guide to garden furniture

Cheap sun loungers and outdoor seating 

The great thing about sun loungers and outdoor seating is that you can pick up something basic for a relatively low price. 

Outdoor seating made from plastic, steel, aluminium and softwoods such as pine help to keep the cost down. Of course, plastic isn't as durable as pricier hardwood or rattan, nor is it eco-friendly. So, if you’re looking for a long-term investment, you’ll need to spend a little more.  

At many high street stores, you can pick up a basic sun lounger for as little as £25, or an egg chair for less than £300. Lots of supermarkets including Aldi and Asda also offer value-for-money seating.

Another option is buying second hand on sites such as Ebay and Gumtree. Occasionally you might find people giving away items for free if you're able to collect.

Before you shop, read our guide to buying second-hand online, and know your rights when buying second-hand.

Sun lounger cushions and mattresses

Using cushions or sun lounger-specific mattresses can offer several benefits.

Not only do they make your furniture more comfortable, you can you customise the colour or style of your sun lounger at the drop of a hat . A mattress or cushions will also help protect your outdoor seating from sun damage, keeping them looking fresher for longer.

What’s the most durable material for outdoor seating?

Durability is an important factor when deciding what to buy. How they withstand wear, pressure or damage will affect how long your outdoor furniture stays in good shape – and much of this is down to the material they're made from. Here are some of the more durable materials to look out for: 

• Rattan outdoor seating is very hardy as well as lightweight. If you look after it well, it can last for years.
• Wood – and teak, in particular – is very dense, which means it's durable. However, wooden furniture requires regular maintenance and the wood can expand and contract in different temperatures.
• Plastic is generally much cheaper than other materials, and it's extremely durable. Most plastic furniture can be left outside all year round and can withstand tough weather conditions.
• Metals such as aluminium, stainless steel and wrought iron are all popular – and long-lasting. However, some people might find it too uncomfortable and rigid, even with cushions. 

We run through the pros and cons of each of the materials above in our garden furniture buying guide

Sun lounger and outdoor seating features to look for

Here are some extra features to look out for: 

• Recline Having an adjustable sun lounger or seat means you can change your position from sitting upright to lying down.
• Foldable This makes it easier to transport if you're going on a camping trip or day out. Foldable options also take up less room when you stow them away in winter. 
• Removable covers and cushions These are handy if you want to take them off to give them a wash. 
• Covers Getting a protective cover with your seating will keep it safe from the elements. If it doesn't come with a cover, source one yourself, and make sure it fits will. This will save you time and money by protecting your furniture.  
• Sun shades Some loungers come with a built-in sun shade, so you don't need to buy a parasol to protect yourself from the sun. 
• Drinks holder This lets you keep a drink to hand without the need of a table.
• Wheels These make manoeuvring your outdoor seating much easier. 
• Table Some seats come with a side table attached – great for resting a book on while you're relaxing. 
• Built-in pillows These are handy if you need a little extra comfort. 

Take outdoor entertaining to the next level by investing in a pizza oven, barbecue or fire pit

What are zero-gravity sun loungers? 

Zero-gravity sun loungers are designed to give people a feeling of weightlessness, and help them reach a deeper level of relaxation. They have more in common with recliners than sun beds, as they tip backwards from a sitting position. 

The idea is that as the lounger tips backwards, it lifts your legs and feet above your heart and spreads your weight across your whole body. Zero-gravity sun loungers were allegedly invented by Nasa to find ways of relieving the stress on an astronaut's body as they launched into outer space.

How much do I need to spend on a sun lounger or outdoor seating? 

Prices for sun loungers and outdoor seating vary hugely. While some cost thousands of pounds, there are usually lower-priced alternatives available.

• Sun loungers can cost anywhere between £20 and £2,000. Budget loungers are relatively basic, but when you start spending £100 or more you should expect extra features and accessories, such as cushions. 
• Deckchairs have a standard design, which means you'll find a great selection for £30-£60. You can find models for less, but these might not be as durable.
• Recliners can cost anywhere between £40 and a few hundred pounds depending on the size, materials and additional accessories.   
• Day beds start at around £200 for a basic design, while high-end models can cost upwards of £1,000 and come with a canopy and recline settings.
• Benches will cost £30-£90; if you're looking for a sturdier model, expect to pay £100-£180, and even up to £300 for a premium option. 
• Hammocks cost from around £10 for a basic model without a stand, up to around £200 with a frame included. 
• Swing seats cost anything from £100 to well over £1,000. 

If you want to keep warm while relaxing in your new outdoor lounger, then a patio heater could be a worthwhile investment. See our guide to the best patio heaters for more information

 Outdoor seat cushions 

Outdoor seating cushions come in a range of colours and styles that can add character and brighten up your space. They're also great for providing comfort and stability when you're relaxing outside.

It's important that cushions are the correct size and have ties so they don't slither around when you're sitting or lying down. 

You'll probably want cushions that are waterproof and resistant to fading if they're going to be in the sun for long periods. Generally, acrylic, polyester, olefin and textilene are all good materials for outdoor cushions.

Prices vary, and obviously depend on how many cushions you need. Basic cushions can cost as little as £5, but if you want bespoke items then you could pay substantially more. 

Among the most searched-for retailers for outdoor cushions are Amazon, Ikea and John Lewis. 

How to build outdoor seating

If you're into DIY or enjoy being creative, have you thought about making your own outdoor sofa? It might sound complicated, but there are some clever designs that require minimum effort. One idea shared widely on social media requires just three pallets, some outdoor paint and a drill with some decent screws.

1. Make sure the three pallets are in good condition. Avoid any that are cracking, splintering or wet. 
2. Sand down your pallets so they're smooth with no prickly edges. 
3. Give them a lick of outdoor paint to help to protect the wood from rain. 
4. Once dry, stack two of your pallets on top of each other and secure them together with screws. This will form the part you sit on.
5. Take the third pallet and place it vertically behind the two pallets drilled together for the back part of the seating. Use your drill to secure all three pallets together. 
6. Aim to drill the screws into the thicker parts of the wood. Once everything is fixed, add cushions, a mat or a throw.

If you're renovating your garden and fancy splashing out, take a look at our hot tub buying guide