17 patio furniture ideas to update your outdoor seating setup

Just like you would with your interior choices, patio furniture ideas are well worth researching to ensure you pick the right set for your space. Or perhaps your old patio set just needs a spruce-up.

But whatever patio ideas you are looking for, patio furniture ideas are one of your first places to start.

Whether your garden has a sprawling stone-slabbed patio, a gravelled stepped deck, a bijoux balcony, or even if you're looking for patio paving ideas to start with, the right dressing and furniture will turn it into a welcoming outdoor space that you’ll want to spend time in.

Patio furniture ideas

When it comes to planning garden furniture ideas, Lou Peterson, Head of Design at DFS, recommends you start by visualising how you’d love to use your outdoor space.

‘Whether for entertaining friends, family dining or as a space to relax and read a book in solitude, once you’ve established this, your furniture choices will fall into line – they form the centrepiece of your patio area’, she says.

The best patio furniture ideas combine comfort and style. From compact bistro sets and built-in benches to sprawling outdoor sofas, seating and surfaces are usually the focal point, so start there. Factor in the space you have, as well as the number of people you’d like to accommodate. Then move on to the home comforts.

‘Once you’ve selected your outdoor furniture, you can then complete the look with carefully chosen accessories. Soft throws, rugs, scatter cushions, candles and plants will help transform a patio area into a beautiful oasis, ensuring it’s a space you’ll want to stay in long after the sun goes down,' says Lou.

Don’t forget practicalities either – investing in all-weather designs, along with great garden lighting, shade and outdoor patio heaters or fire pits will ensure you can use your patio space all year round.

1. Create a bold backdrop to built in bench seating

Build a bench seat outdoors for a cool and comfortable nook and add a pop of colour to the wall behind. We love this relaxing shade of Air Force Blue by Little Greene which adds a laidback style to the bench seating area.

Accessorise with colourful outdoor cushions and an outdoor coffee table in a bold hue to complement the scheme.

Soften the garden bench seating with an outdoor rug for a space to really chill out in.

2. Give an old bench a lick of paint

Revive an old garden bench with this great garden paint idea, to give it a new lease of life and take centre stage on your patio.

Start by removing any old flaking paint, moss or cobwebs and give the whole thing a quick sand down. If you're painting your garden furniture for the first time, begin with a wood primer, otherwise, you can paint straight on top of the old stuff.

We love this shade of Royal Exterior Dove Grey from Protek to give your garden seating a subtle yet stylish uplift.

3. Bring your indoor dining set outside

Rather than splash out on a new garden dining set for your patio, why not transport your indoor dining furniture outside to make the most of the warm weather? As long as you know it's going to be a dry day, it will be fine to play host to your family and friends.

If it's looking a little iffy, or if the sun is particularly strong, set up your table under shelter such as a pergola, awning or garden room with the doors thrown open.

4. Take inspiration from far flung locations

Inject a holiday vibe into your garden all year round with furniture that transports you to sunnier climes.

Furniture made of rattan, cane or bamboo will instantly lift your outdoor space and make it feel a little more tropical.

Use a jute pouffe like this square pick from John Lewis as a coffee table, to create a relaxed space and an outdoor rug adds to the outdoor living room vibe.

Here are some of our other top picks:

5. Make a statement with your seating

If going bold with paint fills you with dread, why not invest in outdoor dining chairs that draw the eye and can be easily replaced if and when you want to change things up.

These black and white zig zag rattan seats, similar to these Bistro Black and White chairs from Oliver Bonas, look striking against the laidback tonal palette in this outdoor dining area.

If you're braver with colour, another idea might be to opt for dining chairs in a bold hue for an extra pop.

6. Soften metal furniture with textiles

Metal tables and chairs can sometimes look and feel a little cold in Spring, while equally in the summer they can heat up quickly, so add some table linen and cushions to add comfort.

An old curtain thrifted from a charity shop makes a great tablecloth and could even be used to make matching cushion pads for chairs and benches.

A mirror hung behind your garden furniture will help to create an outdoor dining room feel and make even a small patio feel larger.

7. Inject some fun with a swing seat

Add some personality to your patio with a swing hung from your pergola or outdoor structure. It's a great trick for smaller patios as it won't take up precious floor space but adds an extra seat that can easily be removed if you need be.

You'll need to make sure what you're hanging it from can take the weight, but other than that, just pick your hanging seat and get swinging. A great talking point for garden party ideas, you'll want to hang more of these swings on your patio.

8. Dine in style - with room for everyone

If you’ve got a large family to cater for, or you’re a fan of entertaining, it’s worth investing in a generously sized table to make full use of your outdoor patio space. If you’re planning to leave your patio furniture out all year round, robust designs are a must, or it's worth learning how to make your non-robust outdoor furniture weatherproof.

This sturdy table has a cement fibre top that’s weatherproof and stylish, too. For casual dining, use budge-along benches instead of chairs to ensure there’s a seat for everyone – including little ones.

9. Save space with a neat bistro set

Pretty yet compact, a bistro set is a genius space-saving option for small gardens. Chunky, rectangular dining sets may look inviting, but it’s not much use if you can’t pull the chairs out. Circular tables take up less room and are a great choice for creating an intimate, sociable atmosphere.

‘Bistro sets are often foldable or stackable so you can enjoy a table for two when you need it and more space when you don’t,' say the experts at Homebase. ‘For the occasions when you know you’ll be inviting more guests, it’s worth investing in some lightweight, foldable chairs that can easily be stored away when you’re not using them.'

Creating defined zones can be tricky when you’re dealing with a small outdoor space, however, here, planters have been used to section off the seating area from the rest of the patio – a neat little trick.

10. Set up a secluded chill-out space

Positioning a chair amongst planting brings a cosy reading nook vibe with all the added benefits that come from spending time in nature. Opt for a statement design that’s as comfortable as it is stylish, such as a rattan-effect chair.

Relaxed shapes and flexible weaves are preferable to hardwood or metal, but you can always add cushions for comfort if you need to. Keep a blanket close by to snuggle under once the sun goes down.

When choosing colours for your patio decor ideas, opt for shades that will complement your garden’s greenery. Bold planters are a step up from terracotta pots and are a great way to introduce some pattern – blush pink, grey and green create an eye-catching scheme.

11. Hang around in an on-trend egg chair

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, a swaying egg chair deserves a spot on your patio. Stylish, comfortable and totally Instagramable, friends will be scrabbling over who gets to sit in it, that’s for sure.

Opting for an open weave design means you can see right through to the garden beyond. That’s assuming you want to, of course – a closed design has the advantage of hiding anything unsightly – think ugly fencing or a weather-worn shed, for example.

12. Throw shade with a party-worthy parasol

If there’s no natural shade in your patio area, invest in a parasol to provide shelter on hot (or rainy) days. You don’t need to blow the budget on a stylish patio cover idea either – you can transform a plain canvas design into a party-perfect centrepiece by securing ribbons at each point and wrapping the pole with brightly coloured washi tape like these from Amazon.

13. Add a pop of colour with eco-friendly plastic

If your outdoor space is lacking colour in the form of plants and flowers, patio furniture is a great way to introduce colour.

Opt for recycled plastic furniture where you can – as well as being better for the environment, it’s durable and low-maintenance, so great for you, too. Mix and match shades for a summery scheme.

14. Embrace laid-back lounging

Draping festoon lighting around trees, poles or a pergola is a clever way of defining your chill-out zone and lighting it up come nightfall, while candles placed in lanterns add a magical ambience.

Encourage laid-back lounging with a few floor cushions and cosy blankets dotted around, too. A fire pit provides warmth long into the evening, so having some patio lighting ideas handy will ensure you don’t need to retreat inside when the sun goes down.

Gather deck chairs around a fire pit to create the ultimate festival vibe on a summer evening. Don’t feel like you have to stick to just one style of chair for your fire pit seating idea – opting for different materials and fabrics creates a fun, eclectic feel.

15. Build in corner seating

Built-in corner garden seating utilises every inch of space and provides ample room for larger gatherings. This L-shaped design has been built from the same bricks as the wall behind it, making the space feel bigger and creating a lovely sense of flow.

If you’re taking the bespoke route, consider installing benches with lids to store outdoor cushions, toys and accessories.

16. Set aside a shady spot

If you’ve got the space, a corner-style arbour will create a peaceful patio cover so you can enjoy time outdoors come rain or shine. Give it a modern update by painting in bold shades or stick to wood for a more traditional feel.

You can always add colourful outdoor cushions if you want a pop of colour, and they’ll make for a more comfortable seating experience, too – bonus.

17. Create an outdoor living room

Continue your indoor style outside by dressing your patio with ‘inside’ furniture choices and accessories. Make use of garden discount codes to pick up stylish additions such as garden armchairs, candles and cushions. As you would in a living room, group furniture closely and position seating within easy reach of a side table to create a sociable and stylish alfresco lounge.

Work in tandem with your patio paving ideas by ditching dull slabs in favour of an on-trend monochrome patterned tile or lay a colourful outdoor rug underfoot to complete the cosy living room look.

FAQs

How to organise furniture on a patio

If your outdoor space is at a premium, it's important to learn how to organise your patio furniture to make sure you're utilising the space effectively. We asked Reilly Gray, Founder of Suns Lifestyle to give us the lowdown on maximising your patio space:

'A great way to bring life to a patio is by creating the perfect lounging space that will transform your garden into the ultimate oasis. You want to create a space that sits harmoniously with the greenery around you, allowing you to make the most of nature and the great outdoors.'

'Extending your living space, create a seamless transition between your home and garden by opting for a modular lounge set to give you the flexibility to create a seating arrangement that's right for you.'

'A corner unit made from high-quality, rust-proof aluminium will not only look the part, but it will stand the test of time and survive against the elements too. Deep and chunky upholstery made from Fast Dry Foam and Sunproof fabric will ensure full mould resistance and weatherproofing to allow you to enjoy the space all year round without compromising on comfort and quality.'

'The finishing touches are equally important too, so layer outdoor cushions in tactile textures and a muted palette of blues, greys and whites to create a relaxed atmosphere, whilst an outdoor rug and casual seating such as pouffes will create that laid back, Ibiza-inspired feel, ensuring you spend as much time outdoors as possible. Don't forget to invest in good quality lighting solutions to allow you to make the most of those long summer evenings - after all, it's all about creating an outdoor haven that is as beautiful as it is functional.'

Does patio furniture need to be covered?

It’s sometimes hard to tell what you’re going to get weather wise, and when you’re going to get it for that matter. Hailstones in summer? It’s been known.

While weatherproof finishes are designed to withstand these sorts of conditions, experts advise you cover your patio furniture when not in use to keep it in peak condition for as long as possible.

‘During the warmer months, furniture should be covered to protect from garden debris and to keep it as clean as possible,' says Tim Pennell, head of sales at Bramblecrest. 'Ideally, cushions should be moved somewhere dry, but if that’s not possible, cover your furniture with the cushions on but check weekly to ensure there’s no build-up of condensation.

Ideally, cushions should be moved somewhere dry, but if that’s not possible, cover your furniture with the cushions on but check weekly to ensure there’s no build-up of condensation.'