Patio Furniture

Patio furniture at FlipBuy UK: 9 sets covering rattan dining and conversation sets, wicker sofa sets, folding dining sets and a convertible swing chair. From £171.99 to £1,879.99.

How to choose furniture that survives outdoors here

British garden furniture spends far more of the year in weather than in use, and that's what determines whether it lasts.

• PE or poly rattan is the only rattan for outdoors. It's synthetic and handles rain, frost and UV. Natural rattan is an indoor material and will not survive a British winter, check the description says PE, poly, wicker-effect or all-weather.
• Powder-coated aluminium frames don't rust. Steel does, once the coating chips, and it chips where chairs stack and scrape.
• Acacia and hardwood needs oiling once or twice a year, or it greys and eventually splits. That's a real commitment, not a suggestion.
• Glass tops should be tempered, which is standard on garden sets but worth confirming.

Cushions are what fail first

Frames outlast cushions by years. Bring cushions in when not in use, or keep them in a waterproof storage box, cushions left out through October are mouldy by November and the covers rarely recover. A storage box costs a fraction of replacing a set.

How to measure your space

Garden furniture is always bigger in a real garden than in the photograph.

• Mark it out with chalk, string or cardboard at the actual dimensions before ordering
• Leave 70-90cm behind each chair so people can push back and stand without hitting a wall, planter or fence
• Check the access route: side gate width, and whether the boxes come through the house. A 9-piece set arrives in several large cartons
• Use hard standing. Furniture on grass sinks unevenly, wobbles, and stays damp underneath

Choosing the right set for how you'll use it

Dining set

Table at standard height with upright chairs. For actual meals, check the table seats the number you'll usually have, not the maximum you might.

Conversation or sofa set

Lower, deeper seating around a coffee table. For drinks and lounging rather than eating. More comfortable, less practical for a plate.

Folding sets

Store away over winter and in small gardens. The most practical option for a patio that doubles as a play space or a drying area.

Swing chair

A single seating feature rather than a set. Check the frame's weight limit and stability, and site it where it's sheltered, swing seats catch wind badly.

How to look after it through the year

• Cover it: a cheap cover extends the life of everything under it, especially cushions and wooden tops
• Wash rattan with warm soapy water and a soft brush once or twice a season; grime builds in the weave and holds moisture
• Oil hardwood in spring and again in late summer if you want to keep the colour
• Check and tighten bolts annually. Outdoor furniture loosens with temperature swings, and a wobble caught early doesn't become a broken joint
• Store or secure lightweight furniture before storms. Folding chairs and parasols become projectiles in high wind

Common questions

Can it be left out all year?

PE rattan and powder-coated aluminium frames can. Cushions should come in, and a cover helps everything considerably.

Does it need assembly?

Most sets arrive flat-packed. Requirements and dimensions are on each product page.

What's the difference between rattan and wicker?

Wicker is the weaving technique, rattan the material. All-weather versions of both are synthetic, natural versions are indoor only.

Will it stand on grass?

It will, but it sinks unevenly and stays damp underneath. A patio, decking or slab base is better for stability and longevity.

Related collections

For the wider outdoor range, see garden & outdoor. For indoor pieces, furniture. For garden tools, gardening tools.