I’m a big fan of outdoor sofas – and over the past couple of years, their general popularity has been growing as we all want our outdoor spaces to be just as comfortable and cosy as our indoor living rooms. As a Room Decor Editor at Ideal Home, I get to try and see a lot of different sofas, both indoor and outdoor ones – but since I’ve seen it all, only few manage to truly impress me. If you’re looking to buy a garden sofa this year, I’ve rounded up the 8 best outdoor sofas I’ve come across, as well as the best places to shop for outdoor sofas.
I have high standards when it comes to the best garden furniture – in fact, they’re pretty much just as high as when it comes to furniture for your home’s interior. If not higher, since garden furniture, outdoor sofas included, also have to be able to withstand the elements which they’re regularly exposed to.
Since creating an outdoor living room is one of the biggest garden trends, I’d recommend an outdoor sofa for any outdoor space, as long as you can fit one in. But even the smallest of gardens can usually squeeze one in, you just need to pick the right design – my top pick is below, along with my other top recommendations for every style and every budget.
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(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)
Where to buy an outdoor sofaTop outdoor sofa picks
Best modular
King Living
1977 Outdoor Modular Sofa with Curved Corner
Colour options: white sand, linen, deep russet, dark olive, oceania, basalt Materials: aluminium, fabric Sizes available: 6, single modules
King Living doesn’t just make some of the best modular sofas for your home, the Aussie brand does a great job with outdoor sofas, too. And in the case of the 1977 outdoor sofa, it looks and feels just like the indoor version which I myself own. And just like the indoor sofa, the garden version also comes with removable covers which you can change – and you can reshuffle the modules as you please and even buy additional singular modules if needed.
Best for small spaces
John Lewis
Marcy 2-Seater Sling Garden Sofa
Colour options: green, navy, greige Materials: steel, polyester Sizes available: 2-seater
The Marcy garden sofa is the two-seater version of the Marcy garden chair that I’ve been raving about since its launch last year as the most comfortable garden chair I’ve ever sat on. Of course, this is also true of the sofa. And just like the chair, it very quickly sold out last year due to its stylish striped look, budget-friendly price point and compact size perfect for small garden ideas.
Best rattan
Neptune
Longmeadow 3 Seater Wicker Garden Sofa
Colour options: natural Materials: aluminium, PE wicker, woven fabric Sizes available: 2-seater, 3-seater
Who knew that faux rattan could look so elevated?! Neptune is the master when it comes to working with all-weather wicker, favouring the synthetic material over genuine wicker due to its durability and weather resistance. The beautifully woven pattern on the aluminium base od this sofa is the star of the design – and the generous, deep seats make it even better for lounging and comfort in general.
Best curved
John Lewis
Lozenge 5-Seater Modular Curved Garden Sofa & Coffee Table Set
Colour options: cream Materials: powder-coated aluminium, polyester Sizes available: 4-seater, 5-seater
The Lozenge outdoor sofa is another garden sofa that’s modelled on an indoor sofa version, the John Lewis Lozenge sofa. I happen to be a fan of both for their curved, organic shape. Curved sofas have been trending for a while now but when the Lozenge outdoor sofa was first launched last year, there weren’t that many other curved garden sofas. Now there are a few more to choose from. But this one remains my favourite as it’s also modular and made from aluminium which is one of the most durable materials for outdoor furniture.
Best budget
Argos Home
4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set
Colour options: natural, grey Materials: PE rattan, steel, polyester Sizes available: 4-seater with chaise
This is one of the most loved outdoor sofas I’ve ever come across, passionately recommended by existing customers and boasting over 1600 five-star reviews. And I understand what the fuss over this Argos Home rattan-effect outdoor sofa is about. It’s truly one of the best value for money products I’ve seen – less than £300 for a three-seater with a chaise and a matching footstool which can also double as a table. And the stool comes with internal storage, too!
Best luxury
Soho Home
Gaspard Outdoor Sofa
Colour options: off-white, cassis Materials: stainless steel, acrylic Sizes available: 3-seater, 4-seater, 5-seater, single modules
Soho Home, the furniture and homeware brand behind the exclusive chain of private member clubs Soho House, is the ultimate aspirational brand. And that goes for the company’s outdoor furniture as much as it does for its indoor sofas and more. The Gaspard sofa is my favourite design from this year’s outdoor offering as its style reads luxurious Mediterranean villa with a vintage flair – and who could say not to that? The bolster back cushions are super chic, as is the stainless steel frame holding it together. And it’s modular, too!
Best minimalist
King Living
Plateau Outdoor 2 Seater Sofa with Shelving
Colour options: 37 Materials: powder-coated steel, ceramic, fabric Sizes available: 6, single modules
If you’re after an outdoor sofa that’s sleek and visually very airy and light, then King Living’s Plateau is for you. The design comes lifted off the ground with slim legs and the base of the sofa is also very slim, yet very comfortable. There are no armrests and the back cushions are not fixed – they come weighted to support you when lounging but can be moved around according to your needs. There are different versions and configurations, some of which come without the built-in side tables (or shelves, as the brand calls them) – but I think that’s one of the most clever features.
Best corner
MADE
Avarna Garden Wood Corner Lounge Set
Colour options: orange and brown check, off-white, grey, grey stripe, green stripe, green and rust stripe Materials: acacia wood, woven fabric Sizes available: 2-seater, corner
If you’re after a designer-look garden sofa that won’t break the bank, MADE’s Avarna would be one of my top recommendations. The modular design is based on an acacia-wood structure and comes with a coordinating coffee table, too. But it’s the patterned cushions that really elevate this outdoor sofa – if you’re a fan of the striped garden furniture trend, you’ll love this one. But this year’s new checked addition in orange and brown is currently my favourite, giving a slight retro, 1970s-inspired look.
How to choose an outdoor sofa
There are a few things you should consider when choosing outdoor furniture for your garden – and that goes for outdoor sofas, too.
1. Size
Just like with any piece of furniture, you have yo make sure that the outdoor sofa will not only fit in your outdoor space, but that it will also work. By that I mean that it won’t overwhelm the space or look too small or out of proportion. So measure first, buy second.
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(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)2. Material
The choice of material is largely about quality – as certain materials are more weather-resistant than others. In terms of metals, aluminium is rust-proof which makes it the top choice but steel is also a good option to go for. As for wood, teak is the superior choice. But acacia and eucalyptus wood are also great.
But you should think about the material also in relation to the aesthetic you like and what kind of outdoor space you’re looking to create. For something more bohemian, a rattan or faux-rattan sofa might work best. But for something a little more contemporary, a metal frame with fabric covers like the King Living 1977 outdoor sofa might be better.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson)
3. Style
As already mentioned above, it’s important to think about what style of garden (or any outdoor space) you have and/or are looking to create before you invest in a new garden sofa. As that sofa should fit into your vision.
Do you prefer something large and eye-catching that will be the centre of attention? Or something minimal and airy with clean lines that will let the surroundings of your lush garden be the star of the show? There are no wrong answers – but this is something you should establish before committing to a large piece of outdoor furniture like a sofa.
Which outdoor sofa is your favourite?
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