Patio furniture for a holiday in your own garden
Furnishing a patio comes with its own requirements. To relax outdoors, you need garden chairs or benches arranged around a garden table. For leafing through magazines, there's the classic sun lounger, and parasols such as the Catania parasol by Skagerak keep the sun off. For entertaining guests, there's a wide choice of barbecues and fire pits. The Buggle-up! outdoor bean bag by Fatboy, a hammock or a hanging swing seat give the patio a relaxed, laid-back feel, while outdoor textiles – from seat cushions and shade sails to tablecloths – complete the style and colour scheme.
The right patio furniture – what to look for when buying:
1. Choice
2. Planning
3. Design & style
4. Practical requirements
5. Material & care
1. Designer patio furniture – a wide choice for your own little paradise
Patio furniture has to be comfortable, look good and, of course, stand up to a lot, as wind and weather place high demands on the quality of the materials and workmanship. Many designers, such as Pascal Mourgue and Mogens Holmriis, have put a lot of creative thought into developing elegant, comfortable and durable furniture for the garden. The market offers a wide range of materials, shapes and colours to suit every taste. Pieces such as the Lounge Variation Outdoor light object by Moree cater to high-end tastes, the Bonsai hanging chair by Cacoon covers the mid-price range, and there's also outdoor design furniture for smaller budgets, such as the Bistro folding chair by Fermob.
2. Planning your patio
Before you buy patio furniture, it's worth thinking about the size, location and intended use of your patio and planning how to furnish your outdoor space. Measure your patio before you buy. If you mainly want to relax with a few people, create your own lounge area. Bear in mind that lounge furniture such as a hammock or a hanging swing seat takes up quite a lot of space. If you expect lots of visitors and like to throw lively parties, you'll need comfortable seating groups for your guests. Fire pits should ideally stand in a fire-safe spot on a non-flammable surface, and the deckchair needs a sunny spot with a parasol. On wooden decking, furniture feet should rest gently on the floor. Tiled floors have no problem with angular metal feet, whereas furniture on gravel needs feet that push through the gravel so it stands firmly.
3. Design & style: put your own stamp on your patio
Patio furniture in understated Scandinavian design, for example by the Danish manufacturer Skagerak, invites you to gather around the table in its simple way. With modern, restrained furniture in Scandinavian design, you can give your patio a basic set-up that you can personalise as you like with lots of pretty accessories and colourful fabrics. A bean bag and a large armchair with a generous seat, together with a minimalist fire pit and plenty of floor lights, create a relaxing lounge. You can take your guests back to the 1960s with retro-style patio furniture. A wooden sling sun lounger and an organically shaped side table under a cotton parasol exude nostalgic charm. A round table surrounded by curved chairs next to a flower garland turns your patio into a French bistro, while classic benches at a long table under hanging flower baskets create a homely, cosy feel that will draw your guests out for many evenings.
4. Practical requirements: everything your patio needs
If you want your patio to be a chill-out area, furnish your lounge with comfortable armchairs with reclining backrests, large seats and low seat heights, thick bean bags and a low, wide table with lighting. If your patio is short on space, folding tables and stackable chairs help create a cosy atmosphere and can be tidied away afterwards. If you use your patio as a workspace, a classic seating group gives you the comfort you need to concentrate.
5. Material & care: a wide choice for your own little paradise
Several factors play a role when choosing materials for patio furniture. Besides the cost of each material, how you use the furniture matters, as does its exposure to wind and weather. Plastic furniture is extremely easy to care for and only needs wiping with water or soapy water. However, it should ideally stand in the shade, as the sun can bleach it. Polyrattan patio furniture has proved to be extremely hard-wearing. Polyrattan is a synthetic material that imitates rattan fibres and is made into weatherproof, sturdy patio furniture. The material is also very easy to care for and simply needs wiping down.
Aluminium patio furniture is usually affordable and has a long life. The material allows for sturdy construction and combines very well with many natural materials such as textiles or wood. Aluminium or steel patio furniture often stands out for being very practical, for example when it is stackable or foldable. The Cambi table by Emu, made of powder-coated steel, is a classic, highly weather-resistant piece of garden furniture available in various colours and shapes. Its timeless shape, robust material and perforated tabletop give the table a long life, and it comes at a very reasonable price. The Bellevie collection by Fermob, made of aluminium and steel, is also designed to stay on your patio for a long time. Cheerful colours and clean geometric shapes with soft curves at an affordable price bring freshness and lightness to your garden.
The classic material for outdoor furniture is wood. When buying, make sure the patio furniture is weatherproof and made of high-density wood, as this withstands the weather best and keeps its well-kept look for a long time. The hardwoods eucalyptus, acacia and teak have proved to be the best choice for wooden patio furniture and are a reliable guarantee of durability outdoors. Skagerak furniture is minimalist and Scandinavian, yet light and Mediterranean at the same time. Teak and eucalyptus, along with high-quality design and craftsmanship, give these classic garden furniture pieces their durability – reflected in their higher price range.
Designer patio furniture from Connox – your benefits:
- A carefully selected range from top design brands
- High-quality furniture by well-known designers
- Simple, direct online shopping
- Personal support from our customer service team
- Fair delivery costs
- Secure payment thanks to SSL encryption
- Delivery in just a few working days
Shopping advice at Connox
Would you like to buy designer patio furniture online but need some help? Our customer service team is always happy to help. We'll support you with advice while you shop, make recommendations and answer your questions quickly. Then simply sit back and have your patio furniture delivered straight to your door in just a few working days.
