Garden Sofas

A garden sofa is the centrepiece piece of garden furniture, and the one most likely to be bought in haste at the start of summer. The first decision is material: rattan (synthetic, weatherproof, the volume bestseller), aluminium-framed with cushion sets (lighter, more modern), and powder-coated steel with weatherproof fabric (heavier, more architectural). Rattan dominates because it stands up to rain without much fuss, but a quality-tier rattan with a powder-coated aluminium frame is what to look for; cheap "rattan" with a steel frame rusts at the joints within two years. Cushion construction is the second specification: weather-resistant outer fabric, quick-dry foam inserts, and zip-off covers for cleaning. Aosom UK, Archiproducts UK and Cheap Furniture Warehouse between them stock 1,800+ garden sofas from £10 to £5,363; the £200-£600 mid-bracket is where most working-garden buys land. The grid below filters by seater count, material, cushion type and price.