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Jan 06, 2024

Best Garden Chairs 2023: Armchairs, Dining Chairs & Deckchairs

By Ali Howard Summer is upon us, garden parties are around the corner, and good

By Ali Howard

Summer is upon us, garden parties are around the corner, and good garden chairs should be high on your home furniture agenda. From Heal's to John Lewis, this is our pick of the best.

Garden furniture continues to up the ante each spring/summer as tired sets are increasingly replaced with design-led pieces that give their indoor counterparts a run for their money. As with interior seating, contemporary garden chairs at our favourite garden furniture stores come in all shapes and sizes – as well as innovative materials designed to withstand the elements.

Whether you’re looking to furnish your patio space with a chic new set of dining chairs, or you’re in the market for a statement armchair to create a coveted spot in the sunshine next to your garden sofa or sun lounger, there's a wealth of exciting new designs on offer (just look at the best egg chairs for inspiration). While a garden chair is undoubtedly a staple piece, it also allows for a versatile patio set-up. Causal al fresco dinners are made all the more relaxing with chairs that boast wide comfy armrests, these of course can double up as outdoor lounge chairs or occasional, comfy seating for extra guests.

It's worth noting too that outdoor chairs can be a wholly playful addition to your patio space, this is one area of the home where you can tear up the rule book on particular colour schemes or décor styles – and you often have a little more space to play around with when not confined to four walls. As with all outdoor furniture, you’re given permission to go bold with seating. Mix vibrant colours around your outdoor dining table or choose a large sculptural seat that might not fit indoors but one that brings bags of character and style to the garden. Here are our top picks for stylish seating on the outside…

This outdoor dining chair set brings contemporary sass to the terrace, whether you choose a neutral colourway or the stand-out lime green. Made from hard-wearing and weather-resistant polypropylene, the chairs are pleasingly low-maintenance, but they go large in the style stakes.

This inviting sling chair boasts seriously impressive eco-credentials as the fabric is woven from a PET yarn made from discarded plastic bottles. Craft-driven and contemporary, it makes for a stylish statement seat on the patio, and it proves supremely comfy.

You wouldn't think this contemporary metal deckchair offers much in terms of comfort, but you’d be wrong. Its ergonomic shaping offers support to both the lower back and neck, while its high armrests make the low-sitting chair easy to get in and out of. It also brings a cool, industrial look to the patio.

With limited space, think about investing in garden chairs that double as both dining chairs and comfy outdoor armchairs with wider armrests. You’ll need to consider seat height in relation to your tabletop, whether you have a rectangular dining table or a smaller bistro-style number. If you’re short on space, it's worth choosing styles that are either stackable or collapsible for easy storage.

All outdoor furniture should be low maintenance, and the garden chair is no exception. Metal designs in powder-coated steel or aluminium work best for weather resistance. These are typically rust-proof and can boast UV protection, too. All they need is the occasional rub down with warm soapy water to keep them looking pristine. If you prefer a natural look, teak is the most durable wood for an outdoor chair thanks to its natural oils that repel water. But it's always best to invest in decent covers for these pieces.

Thanks to thoughtful design and ergonomic shaping, some contemporary outdoor chairs, whether crafted from metal or wood, can be surprisingly comfortable and supportive. Look for designs with a slight curvature in the seat, an angled backrest, and a place to rest your elbows. Whether you want to add an extra scatter cushion for comfort is up to you, but you won't need to keep jumping up and rescuing hefty seat pads from the downpours.

As part of John Lewis’ affordable but design-led Anyday range, these metal armchairs are wallet-friendly and pack a punch on the patio. They’re made even more striking in light blue monochrome, an unusual colourway for outdoor furniture. Sold in a pair, the garden chairs are made from powder-coated steel and feature a looping tubular frame, a generously wide seat, and a slatted backrest that's angled for comfort. The chairs prove particularly robust and they are reassuringly weather-resistant. Combine them with the garden bench and low-sitting coffee table in the same range for a chic and complete patio set-up. £158. At johnlewis.com

Part of the wider Pelagus collection, the armchair features wide wooden armrests and a subtle curvature in the seat, encouraging outdoor dinner guests to sit for longer. Yet it's also compact enough to tuck under a garden dining table. The frame of the chair is a lightweight but durable powder-coated aluminium in light ivory, or forest green for a striking colour contrast. The seat, back, and armrests are crafted from responsibly sourced teak, a beautifully honey-toned wood, which is ideal for outdoor use thanks to its water-repellent natural oils. Clean-lined, contemporary and full of Scandi charm. £685. At heals.com

Think of garden chairs and all too often tired, boxy rattan numbers spring to mind. In stark contrast, the Panz chairs offer a refreshingly contemporary look and feel. Sold in a set of four, the outdoor dining chairs are crafted from hard-wearing and weather-resistant polypropylene, which awards them a pleasingly clean-lined, moulded effect. But these hard-edged chairs are made comfy with ergonomic shaping; there's a subtle curvature in both the seat and the backrest, while the back legs are gently angled for support. The set comes in a choice of black, anthracite, beige, or if you’re feeling particularly bold, a vibrant lime green, which demands attention. £270. At sazy.com

Strikingly modern, and with a craft-driven aesthetic, this low-sitting lounge chair prioritises relaxation. Its angular and slimline tubular frame is made from powder-coated steel, while its generously low and wide sling is entirely handwoven from recycled post-consumer plastic, which has been spun into a PET yarn. This equates to a total of 35 1L plastic bottles per chair, but you wouldn't know it to the touch. In Olive/Dune, the colourway is pleasingly earthy, while the metal frame complements it in a muted brassy tone. This one's designed for lengthy lounging sessions on the patio – and it proves a great conversation starter: garden party guests will be seriously impressed with its eco credentials. £320. At fermliving.co.uk and selfridges.com

As relaxing as it looks, the Cayman takes its design cue from the classic wingback armchair. Its enveloping frame and curvy shape pretty much demand that you sit back and rest, making it ideal suntrap seating. Its knotted rope design awards it a laid-back hammock feel, while there's a little bit of give in the material, offering important back support. The chair is elevated with a sturdy powder-coated aluminium frame in light platinum, its angled legs keeping the large seat reliably steady. This is a garden chair you won't want to get out of once you’ve sat down, so you’ll need someone to hand you your drink. £399. At barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

Sold in a pair, the Carrick chairs make for versatile outdoor seating, whether you buy in multiples for relaxed outdoor dining or use them as statement accent chairs on the patio. The frame is crafted from teak, while the seat and back are fashioned from a malleable polyrope, which not only gives the piece a light and airy feel but offers a little bit of bounce when you sit, giving you both comfort and support. Deckchair-like these are pleasingly collapsible, allowing for easy storage, which is handy as you wouldn't want to leave them out in the elements. £300. At gardentrading.co.uk

A playful take on the white cast iron bistro chair, Studio Job's offering gives the classic a contemporary update in blue or black. This time it's crafted from cast aluminium, making it surprisingly lightweight, and durable against the elements. The design studio uses motifs from its archive to achieve a "hyper-kitschy" look for Seletti: think Alice in Wonderland-inspired top hats and teapots; butterflies and peace signs; and curly-horned ram heads on each knee. Mad as a chair? Definitely, but it brings bags of character, and style, to the patio. Team it with the matching table and armchairs to complete the look. £246. At amara.com

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With its vertical slats, Hay's offering playfully echoes a classic striped deckchair. Only this one is crafted from highly durable and weather-resistant powder-coated steel, bringing a cool industrial edge to any patio space. The hard metal chair shouldn't be comfortable but it is, thanks to its shrewd ergonomic shaping. Not only do you get lower back lumbar support but there's a satisfying curve at the top, too, keeping your neck perfectly aligned as you lounge. Luxuriously low-sitting – but with high armrests for hoicking yourself out – this one's guaranteed to become a coveted seat in the back garden. £499. At skandium.com

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