How to buy the best sun loungers and outdoor seating

If you haven't headed down to the shed recently to dust off your cobweb-covered patio furniture, you might be looking to buy outdoor seating or sun loungers for the first time. 

However, with lots of different types of seating available, it can be confusing trying to find the right ones for your garden. You might want to consider who will be using your new seats, the price, the materials they're made from and how they look.

To help you choose, we've listed the most common seating designs along with their pros and cons. We also highlight the features you should look out for when buying sun loungers and outdoor seating, as well as some popular retailers to buy your garden furniture from.

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How to choose the best outdoor seating: at a glance

Here are some of the most important questions you'll need to think about when buying a sun lounger and outdoor seating:

• What will you be using them for? With such a wide range of sun loungers and outdoor seating available, it's a good idea to think carefully about how you plan to use them. You might just want a couple of sun loungers to relax on when the weather's nice, or perhaps you're looking for a complete outdoor sofa set so you can host dinner parties for family and friends.
• Are they easy to store? The UK is generally only warm enough to sit outside comfortably for around six months a year. With this in mind, you'll need to consider where or how you'll store your sun loungers and garden seating during the winter months. How heavy are they, for example? And can they easily fold away?
• How much will they cost? Prices for sun loungers and outdoor seating can range from as little as £15 for a basic folding chair, to more than £1,000 for a high-end day bed. High street stores and supermarkets will have their own range if you're looking for something at the lower end of the price range, while designer options are also readily available if you're willing to pay more. 

Types of outdoor seating

Picking the right sun lounger and outdoor seating will depend on your budget, style preference and garden size. Below you will find the main types available:

Sun loungers

You don't have to go abroad to enjoy time on a sun lounger – if you have a garden with a sunny spot, it might be worth buying your own. The most basic can cost as little as £20, while bespoke offerings can set you back a few hundred pounds. 

At their most simple, sun loungers are made from a metal frame with a polyester back and seat. High-end models can be made of rattan or wood, come in contemporary designs and include cushions and drinks holders. 

Pros

• Sun loungers come in a range of designs and colours
• Most are adjustable and can be moved easily 
• Lower-priced options are available

Cons

• Need space to store sun loungers during the colder months
• You might need to buy covers to protect them from the elements

Deckchairs

There aren't many things in life that feel as quintessentially British as a stripy folding deckchair. Synonymous with trips to the seaside, this type of outdoor seating is widely available for around £20, although you can occasionally find them for £10 or less. 

Deckchairs are traditionally made from wood and canvas fabric, and it's their simplicity that makes them so popular. As with sun loungers, you'll need somewhere to store them when not in use.

Pros 

• Foldable design makes them great if you're short on space

Cons

• Generally don't have armrests
• Often non-adjustable

Recliners 

Recliners are somewhere in between sun loungers and garden chairs, making them popular with people who like to sit upright in a chair but might also want to rest or snooze in a more horizontal position. On many models, you simply lift the armrests to recline the back, although this depends on the design. Some will also have adjustable footrests.  

The prices for recliners range from around £40 in some high street stores, to hundreds of pounds for higher-end models. They're sometimes sold in matching pairs.

Pros

• Combines a sun lounger and chair so you only need to buy one seat
• Available in a range of designs 
• Often foldable so convenient for travelling or camping
• Budget options available

Cons

• Requires storage in colder months

Day beds

If you thought beds were meant to be confined to the bedroom, think again - day beds have been finding their way into UK back yards and gardens as part of a growing trend.

Starting at around £200 for a basic design, prices can jump up to well over £1,000 for premium products. 

Pros

• Multiple people can use a day bed at the same time

Cons

• Not suitable for smaller outdoor areas
• Large space needed to store the bed out of season
• Can be a lot more expensive than other options

Benches

If you're looking for more traditional outdoor seating, a bench might be the answer. There's a huge array of types and sizes, ranging from handmade bespoke designs to flat-pack options straight off the production line. 

Prices can start from less than £100 from high street stores, and go up to a few hundred pounds. Benches are often made from wood, metal or plastic. 

Pros

• Some benches are weather resistant so can remain outdoors all year
• Budget options available

Cons

• Can be heavy and difficult to move

Sofas

Garden sofas are becoming increasingly popular as people opt for outdoor furniture that's more comfortable than hard chairs around a patio table. Garden sofas essentially allow people to lounge outside during warmer months, and are brilliant for entertaining guests. 

There's a huge variety of designs in terms of materials, sizes, colours and shapes. Prices start at around £300 and can go up to £2,000 for luxury options. 

Pros

• Great for socialising and entertaining
• Come in a huge variety of designs and colours
• Lower-priced options available

Cons

• Will need to cover or store away in colder/wetter seasons
• Spilt drinks and mucky paws can spoil the fabric
• Can be expensive 

Hammocks and swings

For many people, the ultimate relaxation experience is lying back in a hammock watching the clouds drift by above. The good news is that you don't need two large tree trunks to tie a hammock to, as some options can hang on a freestanding metal frame. 

If getting in and out of a hammock sounds like hard work, there are also dozens of swing seat designs. These include hanging egg chairs or more traditional swing chairs. Hammocks can cost as little as £10, with swinging egg chairs typically priced between £150 and £250. 

Pros

• Hammocks are easy to take down and store
• Gently swinging is thought to increase relaxation 

Cons

• Swing chairs and hanging eggs chairs will need to stored or covered during colder/wetter seasons

Rocking chairs

Garden rocking chairs can add a whimsical vibe to your outdoor area. They're typically made from wood, wicker or plastic, and prices start from around £80.

Pros 

• Gentle rocking is thought to increase relaxation
• There are chairs to suit all budgets
• Depending on the material, rocking chairs can be left outside for most of the year

Cons

• Can be heavy compared with standard chairs because of the extra material used to build
• Not typically foldable so might be harder to stow away  

Want to know more about materials, furnishings and covers? Read our guide to garden furniture

What’s the most durable material for outdoor seating?

Durability is an important factor when deciding which type of sun lounger or outdoor seating to buy. How they withstand wear, pressure or damage will affect how long your outdoor furniture stays in good shape – and much of this is down to the material they're made from. Here are some of the more durable materials to look out for: 

• Rattan is very hardy as well as being lightweight. If you look after it well, rattan furniture can last for years.
• Wood and in particular teak is used for outside furniture because of its high density, making it excellent for durability. However, wooden furniture also has a disadvantage as it requires regular maintenance and the wood can expand and contract in certain temperatures.
• Plastic is generally much lower priced than other materials, and it's extremely durable. Most plastic furniture can be left outside all year round and can withstand tough weather conditions.
• Metals such as aluminum, stainless steel and wrought iron are all popular and known to be very durable. However, some people might find it too uncomfortable and rigid, even with cushions. 

We run through the pros and cons of each of the materials above in our garden furniture buying guide

Sun lounger and outdoor seating features to look for

Here are some extra features to look out for when buying a sun lounger or outdoor seating: 

• Recline Having an adjustable sun lounger or seat will give you the option of changing your seating position, so you can sit upright or lie down.
• Foldable This will make it easier to take your seating with you on camping trips or days out. Foldable options also take up less room when you need to stow them away during winter. 
• Removable covers and cushions These are handy if you want to take them off to give them a wash. 
• Covers Getting a protective cover included with your seating will keep it safe from the elements. It will also save you time and money sourcing a well-fitted cover yourself.  
• Sun shades Some loungers come with a built-in sun shade, so you don't need to buy a parasol to get protection from the sun. 
• Drink holder This allows you to keep a drink close at hand and means you won't need a table nearby.
• Wheels These make manoeuvring your outdoor seating much easier. 
• Table Some seats come with a side table attached – great for resting your book on while you're relaxing. 
• Built-in pillows These are handy if you need a little extra comfort. 

Take outdoor entertaining to the next level by investing in a pizza oven or fire pit

What are zero-gravity sun loungers? 

Zero-gravity sun loungers are designed to give people a feeling of weightlessness, and help them reach a higher level of relaxation. They have more in common with recliners than sun beds, as they tip backwards from a sitting position. 

The idea is that as the lounger tips backwards, it elevates your legs and feet above your heart and spreads your weight across your entire body. Zero-gravity sun loungers were allegedly invented by NASA, which needed to find ways of relieving the stress on an astronaut's body as they launched into outer space.

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How much do I need to spend on a sun lounger or outdoor seating? 

Prices for sun loungers and outdoor seating vary hugely. While some cost thousands of pounds, there are usually lower-priced alternatives available.

• Sun loungers can cost anywhere between £20 and £2,000. Budget loungers are relatively basic, but when you start spending £100 or more you should expect extra features and accessories, such as cushions. 
• Deck chairs have a standard design, which means you'll find a great selection costing between £30 and £60. You can find models for less, but these might not be as durable.
• Recliners can cost anywhere between £40 and a few hundred pounds depending on the size, materials and additional accessories.   
• Day beds start at around £200 for the most basic, while the high-end models can start at around £1,000 and come with canopies and recline settings.
• Benches sell for between £30 and £90, but if you're looking for a sturdier bench then you should expect to pay between £100 to £180, and even up to £300 for a premium option. 
• Hammock prices range from around £10 for a basic hammock without a stand, up to around £200 with a frame included. 
• Swing seats cost anything from £100 to well over £1,000. 

If you want to keep warm while relaxing in your new outdoor lounger, then a patio heater could be a worthwhile investment. See our guide to the best patio heaters for more information

Cheap sun loungers and outdoor seating 

The great thing about sun loungers and outdoor seating is that you can pick up something basic for a relatively low price. 

Outdoor seating made from plastic, steel, aluminium and softwoods, such as pine, help to keep the costs down. Of course, plastic isn't as durable as pricier hardwood or rattan options, nor is it eco-friendly. So, if you’re looking for a long-term investment, you’ll need to spend a little more.  

At high street stores such as Argos you can pick up a very basic sun lounger for as little as £25, or an egg chair for less than £300. Lots of supermarkets including Aldi and Asda also offer value-for-money seating.

Another option is buying second-hand on sites such as Ebay and Gumtree. Occasionally you might find people giving away items for free if you're able to collect.

Where to buy sun loungers and outdoor seating

There's a host of stores and websites that sell sun loungers and outdoor seating at a range of prices. Wherever you shop, make sure you pay attention to the returns policy and check for warranties.  

These popular online retailers stock outdoor seating:  

• Aldi stocks a range of patio furniture online, and in-store stock varies based on where you shop. Online, you'll find twin stool packs, benches, rocking chairs and egg chairs, among other products. 
• Amazon sells almost all types of outdoor seating, so if you struggle to find what you want elsewhere, it might be worth a look.
• Argos sells patio sets, sun loungers, hammocks and more. If it's an outdoor sofa set you're after, Argos has options starting from £150.
• B&Q offers a selection of garden seating, including egg chairs, day beds and armchairs. Its simple garden chairs start at just £15.
• Dunelm sells plenty of sofa sets, with prices starting at less than £200. 
• Homebase has everything from benches and loungers to swing seats and picnic tables.
• Ikea supplies a full range of garden furniture, from a £15 folding metal and wooden chair, to a £1,450 modular corner sofa.
• John Lewis houses lots of own-brand options, as well as seating from big names such as Kettler and Fiam. A John Lewis deck chair starts at just £10.
• Kettler is one of the most widely stocked garden furniture retailers, with more than 400 stockists up and down the country. 
• The Range has a variety of outdoor seating including garden chairs, lounge sets, benches and sun loungers. If you're looking for zero-gravity sun beds, they start at less than £40.

Outdoor seating cushions 

Outdoor seating cushions can add some character and brighten up your outdoor space, and they come in a range of colours and styles. They're also great for providing comfort and stability when you're relaxing outside.

It's important that cushions are the correct size and have ties to ensure they don't move around when you're sitting or lying down. 

You'll probably want cushions that are waterproof and resistant to fading if they're going to be positioned in the sun for sustained periods of time. Generally speaking, acrylic, polyester, olefin and textilene are all good materials for outdoor cushions.

Prices vary, and the cost is heavily influenced by how many cushions you need to buy. For your very basic needs, cushions can cost as little as £5, but if you want bespoke items then you could pay substantially more. 

Some of the most searched-for retailers for outdoor cushions include Amazon, Argos, Ikea and John Lewis. 

The best solar garden lights will let you enjoy your outdoor seating even after the sun goes down

How to build outdoor seating

If you're into DIY or enjoy being creative, you might want to consider making your own outdoor sofa. It might sound complicated, but there are some clever designs that require minimum effort. One idea shared widely on social media requires just three pallets, some outdoor paint and a drill with some decent screws.

1. Make sure the three pallets are in good condition. Avoid pallets that are cracking, splintering or wet. 
2. Sand down your pallets so they're smooth with no prickly edges. 
3. Give them a lick of outdoor paint. This should help to protect the wood from rain. 
4. Once dry, stack two of your pallets on top of each other and secure them together with screws. This will form the part you sit on.
5. Afterwards, take the third pallet and place it vertically behind the two pallets drilled together (this gives you the back part of the seating). Use your drill to secure all three pallets together. 
6. Aim to join the pallets by drilling the screws into the thicker parts of the wood. Once everything is fixed, you can furnish the seating with cushions, or maybe a mat or throw. 

If you're renovating your garden and fancy splashing out, take a look at our hot tub buying guide