The garden furniture that you choose to update your outdoor space will instantly update the area. It will help you make the most of the area — even if you’ve only got a small patio or limited decking. And with spring and summer well on the way, now is the time to extend your living area with a garden you love to spend time in.

Picking out pretty pieces is a fun thing to do, but if you really want to up your garden game, a little planning could completely transform the area. We’ve rounded up the best-in-stock garden furniture pieces and built this buyer’s guide to help you choose the best outdoor furniture.

Assess Your Landscape

When considering outdoor living, it’s important to remember that your outdoor space has so much potential regardless of the size. A garden can be a place to grow, relax, embrace nature and importantly, become an extension of your living area.

Before you launch some big spring season garden ideas, consider a few things first. What would you like to spend time doing? Is al fresco dining a big deal to you? Do you have children that want to play? Would you rather kick back and relax on the spacious Palma Corner Rattan Garden Lounge Set? And let's not forget BBQ season!

Once you’ve decided how you will best enjoy your space, you can map out what outdoor furniture you need. Start by arranging the area into zones. One zone for the kids, one for dining, one for lounging — you can choose what you want to focus your attention on. This will help the garden feel cohesive. Plus, if you have a large family enjoying the space, everyone will feel the benefit.

If you’re working with a compact balcony area, the Pod Rattan Balcony Set offers the perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee as the summer season arrives. The sculpted designs provide a thoroughly modern finish, and the tempered glass adds a touch of elegance.

Dine, Lounge or Both?

Once you’ve worked out your zones and planned how your garden could look, you can begin to choose a garden dining set — if garden dining is part of your plan, of course. If you haven’t the space for both a lounge and dining area, you can employ some clever tricks to increase your options.

The Stockholm Corner Lounge Set is comfortable, beautiful to look at, and more practical than you can probably imagine. The lengthy dining table seats up to six people, and the cosy, washable covers and seats offer the opportunity to lounge all day — if you so wish.

If it’s solely dining that you want to cater for, the Parsons Outdoor Table & Bench Set has a contemporary yet durable feel. Whether you’re snacking all day or partying all night, this garden dining set gives everyone the perfect place to perch.

Table for Two or a Few?

When designing your outdoor space, you need to consider the number of people you have living in your home. If it’s just you, you can get away with fewer pieces of furniture. If you have a bigger space, you might want to make the most of it with some sun loungers.

Even if your garden is a solo effort, you might still want to maximise its potential and be able to entertain guests when they come over. Portals Aluminium and Teak Outdoor Set by Lifestyle Garden presents a compact dining area that will make even the smallest garden feel super social. Whether you fancy sunset drinks or an early breakfast, you’ll be able to unwind and relax with this easy to maintain set.

Whether you have a pool in your garden or not, a sun lounger gives you and everyone in your family a comfortable place to relax. Great for a big balcony or a decking area, the practical but stylish Havana Modern Sun Lounger Set will increase your garden’s comfort appeal. The lightweight but durable design makes them easy to wheel them around so that you can follow the sun. Whether you’re reading a book or cuddling up with the kids, these loungers give everyone a great outside home base.

With just a small amount of planning, picking the best garden furniture becomes a whole lot easier. Whether you’re entertaining guests, pleasing the family or simply building an area that you alone can enjoy, your garden furniture should be an investment that lasts you years to come.