Garden antiques are a fast-growing category for shoppers and dealers alike, driven by rising interest in outdoor living and demand for valuable garden antiques that bring history and character to exterior spaces. Many collectors now want their gardens to reflect the same love of storied pieces found inside their homes.
Expert and managing director of Lichen Garden Antiques, Darren Jones, notes that these antique garden pieces are now being used indoors as well. “Increasingly, we see what might traditionally be thought of as a garden item used by interior designers inside, like repurposing stone troughs as bathroom sinks,” he explains.
There’s no limit to what you can find when furnishing your space with antique garden furniture and décor, and beauty (and value) is truly in the eye of the beholder. That said, several garden antiques trends are emerging, driving demand – and prices – higher. Here, we spoke to five expert dealers to explore the history behind these pieces and how to source them for your own garden. Some may be worth more than they look.
Arras benches
Courtesy Lichen Garden Antiques
One of the most iconic names in antique garden furniture is Arras, a brand named after the town in France where it was produced beginning in the 19th century. “Coming into the summer months, people are thinking about entertaining outdoors,” says Jones. “Arras is one of the most famous makers, and we always sell a lot of their wrought iron benches, seats and tables. The brand has a very distinctive tubular style and is highly collectible.”
Margaret Schwartz, an antique dealer and owner of Modern Antiquarian, also stresses the brand’s popularity, noting that its enduring reputation increases its value. She says: “Arras iron garden furniture has been adored for over a century and continues to be a favourite among designers. Their iconic, delicate yet sturdy wrought-iron chairs and benches bring instant European charm to a garden. Individual chairs often start around £480, while larger benches or sets can run several thousand pounds.”
Faux bois
Courtesy Holly Schumpert for Clementin
“Faux bois means ‘false wood’ in French, and it’s an art form that flourished in France in the 19th century,” explains interior designer Stephanie Lynton, who owns a home and garden store, Clemontín. “Typically, a metal frame is covered in concrete and then hand-sculpted using simple tools to make it look like real wood. Antique pieces of faux bois are harder and harder to find, which drives up the price for those special items, which can range from £2,000 to £6,000.”
Lyford notes that these pieces sell almost instantly for her, too. “Faux bois is something I can never keep in stock, anything from small accent tables and garden stools to planters and decorative chairs tends to sell as soon as it hits the floor,” she adds. “The appeal is in the juxtaposition, the craftsmanship of hand-formed concrete made to resemble natural wood. It blurs the line between nature and sculpture, which makes it both whimsical and timeless in a garden setting.”
Garden gates
Courtesy East End Salvage
Just like you may incorporate an antique door or vintage hardware inside your home, garden gates can be a great way to add patina to the “architecture” of your garden.
“Garden gates are one of the easiest ways to introduce a sense of history into a landscape, especially when they’re used as a true entrance rather than simply as decoration,” says Lyford. “We source many of our gates from England and France, where garden culture has been deeply rooted for centuries. Late 19th-century examples made from cast iron are especially desirable because of their durability and the ornate detail that casting allowed. Prices can range from about £520 for simpler examples to £2,000 or more for larger, more decorative gates with original hinges and working latches.”
Teak dining tables
Courtesy The Well
Beloved for its durable nature and beautiful patina, teak is perhaps the most in-demand material when it comes to outdoor furniture, particularly for dining tables. “Moving into the warmer weather, our clients are looking to foster beauty and community around quality outdoor pieces,” says Shane Brown, owner of Big Daddy Antiques, The Well and The Well Gardens, a home and garden store. “People can’t get enough of our teak outdoor dining tables. We see them used everywhere, frequently in conjunction with our steel garden greenhouses to create an intimate vignette.” Per Brown, a good, solid teak table typically runs between £2,200 and £6,300. “It all depends on what size you’re looking for, and the quality of the piece,” he adds.
Planters
Courtesy Dustin Adams for Clementin
Often, the most valuable garden antiques are also the most substantial, offering strong value either in size or material. In particular, planters made of quality materials, think stone, terracotta or iron, are often extremely popular with shoppers. “Antique containers and planters are always in demand, whether that’s an Italian terracotta pot, an iron urn, a cast stone footed bowl or a Versailles box for a citrus tree,” says Lynton. “Prices vary depending on the age, size and condition of the container, but generally, antique items will be in the range of £800 to £4,800.”
Schwartz notes that planters from the midcentury Swiss designer Willy Guhl are particularly valuable, often fetching into the thousands at auctions. “Designed in the 1950s and 1960s for Eternit, they’re made from a fibre-cement material that is both lightweight and durable outdoors,” she adds. “The most popular shape remains the Handkerchief planter. Their sculptural shapes work beautifully in both traditional and modern gardens. Depending on the form and size, collectors can expect to spend roughly £640 to £3,600.”
Garden statues 
Brent Darby
Nothing sets the scene in a garden quite like a timeworn statue that presides over plantings with a quiet elegance. “Classical garden statuary is having a real moment,” says Schwartz, who often sells pieces she finds abroad to clients before they even make it back. “Neoclassical figures and complete sets of the Four Seasons bring a sense of history, romance, and artistry to outdoor spaces. Depending on the scale and material, statues can range from around £800 for smaller examples to well over £8,000 for monumental pieces.”
Edging tiles 
Brent Darby
Landscaping elements are also a popular category for garden antiques, allowing homeowners to layer in history and classical charm to the foundation of their garden. “Stoneware edging tiles are a rarer find and tend to sell immediately when we locate them,” says Lyford. “These handmade clay tiles were produced during the Victorian era in England and France and were designed to edge garden beds. They were typically installed halfway into the soil, leaving a decorative top visible above the ground. Because many were lost or broken over time, finding a sizeable group in good condition is uncommon. When a large lot becomes available, they’re incredibly sought after by designers and collectors. Shoppers can generally expect to spend around £20 to £50 per linear foot, depending on the design, condition and quantity available.”
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Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist with a background in interior and lifestyle content. Her work helps readers digest design trends and provides actionable expert advice for creating a home they love. She has over a decade of experience in the media industry, and her work has appeared in Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, SELF, Apartment Therapy, The Knot, Domino, HGTV Magazine, Country Living, and more. Alyssa holds a BA in Journalism and Public Relations from Marist College and interior design certifications from NYIAD and RIDQC.
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