The best patio furniture depends on your space, seating needs, budget and willingness to maintain it. For a very small outdoor area, IKEA’s FEJAN table and two folding chairs are a practical low-cost starting point at £39. For a family dining area, the IKEA TÄRNÖ table with four chairs costs £109, while larger lounge and modular sets extend into the hundreds or thousands.
This guide narrows the choice to seven useful options from UK retailers. Prices and availability can change, so check the retailer’s listing before ordering. For broader advice on chairs, tables and other outdoor products, see our outdoor furniture buying guide.
Choose the furniture type before choosing a style. A bistro set suits two people and a compact patio, while a dining set is designed for meals and usually needs more floor space. Coffee and lounge sets are better for relaxed seating, and modular furniture gives you more flexibility when the layout changes.
| What you need | Furniture type | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| A compact balcony or patio | Bistro set | Foldable chairs, table footprint and storage |
| Outdoor meals | Dining set | Number of seats, table shape and clearance around chairs |
| Relaxed drinks and reading | Coffee or lounge set | Seat comfort, cushion storage and table height |
| A changing layout | Modular set | Separate sections and the possible seating combinations |
This distinction follows B&Q’s buying guide, which separates dining sets, bistro sets, coffee sets and modular sets by how they are used. The Range also describes bistro furniture as suitable for smaller spaces and offers larger sets for bigger gardens. Compare the guidance from B&Q’s garden furniture buying guide before measuring your space.
These are handpicked options for different budgets and uses rather than one universal winner. The list includes small-space, dining, lounge and premium choices.
Prices vary sharply by seating capacity, furniture type and finish. This comparison shows how quickly the budget changes as you move from two-person bistro furniture to larger dining and lounge sets.
| Retailer | Example set | Listed price | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA | FEJAN table and two folding chairs | £39 | Small spaces and occasional use |
| Homebase | Emerson Bistro Set | £51.99 | Two-person seating |
| Argos | Keter Emily four-seater sofa set | £99 | Compact lounging |
| IKEA | TÄRNÖ table and four chairs | £109 | Affordable outdoor dining |
| The Range | Six-person glass-top table and chairs | £258.75 | Family meals |
| Homebase | Furniture One Grey six-seater rattan dining set | £449 | Larger dining areas |
| John Lewis | KETTLER Palma Signature seven-seater corner set | £1,800 sale price | Large lounge and dining spaces |
The comparison is most useful when the sets are judged on the same basis. Check seat count, table function, dimensions, folding parts, cushions and storage requirements. A lower headline price may describe a bistro set, while a higher one may include several seats and a large table.
Choose the material according to the maintenance routine you can realistically manage. Which? recommends comparing furniture type, material, care requirements, retailer and the option of buying second-hand before making a decision.
Maintenance depends on the material, so follow the care instructions supplied with the product. The RHS advice on maintaining garden furniture covers the different approaches for wood and metal.
For the strongest chance of a clearance price, shop towards the end of summer, particularly August and September. Retailers often reduce seasonal stock then, although the choice can be narrower. January sales can also produce substantial reductions on outdoor products, but popular designs may have sold out before spring.
Use the season to match your priority: shop earlier when you need a particular size, colour or seating configuration; wait for late-summer clearance when the lowest price matters more than having the widest choice. Always compare the original and current price, delivery charges, included cushions and the exact number of seats.
No single retailer is the best choice for every buyer. IKEA is particularly useful for low-cost, compact and modular-looking options, while Argos and Homebase provide broad budget and mid-range choices. The Range covers bistro, dining, rattan and larger patio sets. John Lewis spans affordable ANYDAY sets through to premium KETTLER furniture.
Before ordering, use this checklist:
It depends on the type of furniture. IKEA’s FEJAN table and two folding chairs are listed at £39, while Argos lists the Keter Emily four-seater sofa set at £99 and Homebase lists the Emerson Bistro Set at £51.99. Compare like with like: seating capacity, material, included parts and intended use all affect whether a deal represents good value.
Buy a bistro set for two people and a small space, a dining set for outdoor meals, a coffee or sofa set for relaxed seating, or a modular set when you need a flexible layout. Material and maintenance matter just as much as appearance, so choose the option whose care requirements fit your routine.
August and September are usually the strongest months for clearance pricing because retailers reduce seasonal stock. January can also bring worthwhile reductions, but the range may be more limited. Buy earlier if having a particular model or size is more important than securing the lowest price.
The strongest shortlist depends on budget and style. IKEA is a useful starting point for affordable compact sets; The Range, Argos and Homebase offer broad budget and mid-range categories; B&Q provides buying guidance alongside its sets; and John Lewis covers both ANYDAY and premium KETTLER options. Compare the specific product, care instructions, delivery terms and current price rather than relying on a retailer name alone.
