24 best garden chairs to deck out your alfresco space
Rudyard Kipling once remarked, ‘gardens are not made by singing “oh how beautiful” and sitting in the shade.’ He was not wrong. Yet, he was ignoring one of the most pleasurable aspects of gardening: the moment when everything is in full bloom, you down tools and simply appreciate the beauty of it all. Though this doesn’t benefit the garden in any way, it does benefit the gardener. Perhaps, if Mr Kipling had owned a lovely set of reclining garden chairs, a garden sofa or a garden bench, he may have felt the due importance of sitting under a tree and shouting exaltations of beauty. Many of us will have felt, with pressing urgency over the past few years, just how special it is to own a garden during troubling times. So why not make a few purchases that’ll allow you to sit back and truly be thankful for your lot? We've scoured, scanned and perused the best garden furniture stores to bring you a lovely edit of the best garden chairs for your outdoor space.
Best garden chairs at a glance
Don't have time to read the full guide? We've compiled a quick-fire list.
- Best folding garden chair: La Redoute Set of 2 Ozevan Folding Metal Chairs
- Best wooden garden chair: Skandium BK10 Dining Chair
- Best garden dining chair: John Lewis 4 Seasons Outdoor Puccini Garden Dining Chair
- Best garden lounge chair: The Conran Shop Fold Outdoor Armchair
- Best deckchair: Amara Business and Pleasure Co. Sling Chair
- Best stackable garden chair: Made in Design Nicolette Stackable Armchair
How to choose the best garden chairs
Before making any decisions about what the best garden chair is, make sure you consider what will be best for your space. Smaller spaces, like balconies, will benefit from folding chairs and multi-purpose chairs (think cushioned dining chairs that can double up as comfortable seating). Those who only have access to a small front garden might want to opt for all-weather seating that can stay outside year round. You don't want to have to find storage for your garden chairs comes winter. Finally, lucky ones with large gardens have plenty of freedom. You simply need to consider what chair will best suit your purpose.
May we suggest: The best garden furniture stores to help you spruce up your outdoor space
Best garden chairs to buy 2024
A few foldable garden chairs are a great thing to have on hand if you have a balcony, small garden or the potential to receive unexpected guests. They collapse neatly and can be tucked away in a shed or some other storage facility when not in use to maximise space. The same applies for bistro chairs, which often come as part of a bistro set (though if you're after one of those you'd be better off heading to our guide to the best bistro sets).
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A classic for a reason, wooden garden chairs suit most spaces and look attractive year round. Just be sure to keep up with your maintenance as some chairs will require varnishing and resealing.
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Opt for something comfortable that can be brought inside as extra seating in emergencies, and something that encourages long, relaxed lunches in the sun.
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A lounge chair is good for those who want to read, drink or spend leisurely time alfresco. They are perfect for sitting around a fire pit in, but tend to be lower than dining chairs, so do bear that in mind if you're hoping for the armchair to double up in a dining set.
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Perfect for cosying up around fire pits.
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The low maintenance garden chair option is plastic. It's wipe-clean, comfortable and will last you through years of use. Plus, you can always add a smart, striped outdoor cushion for a more inviting look.
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Another low maintenance option. Again, a cushion can be added to switch up the look.
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A rattan garden chair looks lovely, though make sure you check whether it is synthetic rattan or real, as real rattan can’t be left out in the rain for too long, so you'll need somewhere to store it in winter months.
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Those looking to create a comfortable spot to relax in with a book should look no further than a garden armchair.
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Below, we've selected six stylish garden chairs.
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