Garden Furniture Buying Guide: Everything You Need To Know

If you’re looking to revitalise your garden with looks that were made for lounging, you’ve come to the right place. In this Garden Furniture Buying Guide, we’ll talk you through sizing, care and cleaning, so you can make the most of your outdoor space this summertime. Whether you use your garden for dining, lounging or big get-togethers, there is sure to be a setting that’s perfect for your space.

 5 Things To Consider…

What’s your budget?

As with any furniture, you can spend a little or spend a lot. But if you’re smart with your options, you’ll really get the most for your money. Check what materials the garden furniture is made from, consider how versatile it is and how often you’ll use it to really make your budget stretch further.

How will you use your garden furniture?

Will it be for relaxing, dining or both? Do you have lots to seat or only have room for a few? How about the option to add some extra seats? This will help you choose whether you need garden chairs or benches, coffee or dining tables, or all of the above.

Where will the garden furniture be stored?

Stackable outdoor dining chairs are a great feature when it comes to storage as they’ll take up far less space than if stored individually. Tables that are sturdy yet lightweight are ideal as they make for easy storage. If indoor storage isn’t an option, opt for a garden cover to keep your furniture protected through the winter months.

Does the garden furniture require much maintenance?

It’s best to check the level of UV protection and shower proofing on fabrics, and the anti-rust features of metal frames. This is so you know the furniture is fit for outdoor use. Removable cushions and seat covers are also important for easy cleaning and storage.

Have you thought about comfort?

We truly believe that your garden seating should be an extension of your home. We have comfy sofas and seats inside, so why shouldn’t we have this luxury outdoors! This means checking not only the materials, fabrics and cushion construction but also making sure the size and shape of the future are right for your space.

Garden Furniture:  Sizing & Materials

It’s likely you’ll sit in your garden differently to the way you sit around a table inside. For example, it’s normal outside to sit 8 round a 4 seater table, as you don’t tend to sit elbow to elbow in the same way. Your garden is a more relaxed, informal setting, so you can be more generous with your seating and spacing options.

Garden Chairs

Similar to a dining chair, if you are after a garden chair with lumbar support, a back height between 30cm and 40cm is ideal.

The optimum seat height for an average dining chair is when there is 26cm to 30cm between the top of the seat and the top of the dining table. If your chair is 46cm to 51cm from the floor to the top of the seat, it will fit well under a standard height table while allowing plenty of legroom.

If you opt for garden armchairs you may need to double check the spacing. The thickness of the table top will eat into your space available for the arm of the chair so you’ll want to make sure it can be tucked in (if this is the look you’re after).

Remember to check the width of the footprint of the chairs you are considering. It’s where the feet will go that defines if they’ll alongside the table or not.

Material – check the material of your dining chairs is suitable for outdoor use. For example, you’ll want to check the level of UV protection and showing proofing of bench cushions and fabrics, and the anti-rust features of metal frames.

Shape – dining chairs with arms will offer more support when seated while a slightly curved back will allow you to sit back a really relax. 

Storage – can the chairs be stacked or folded? These space-saving qualities will be greatly beneficial when it comes to storage. The weight of the stacked chairs will also stop them flying around the garden in these British summers!

Care and Cleaning: Plastic Dining Chairs

What are they made of? The chairs in our outdoor garden range are made from moulded polypropylene which is a hard wearing and durable plastic.

• Wash over the surface with warm soapy water to remove any surface marks.
• If you want to take your cleaning a step further,  you can use a mild household cleaning spray or furniture wipes. Baby wipes are also a quick fix if you need to wipe a minor spill.
• Because the chairs are made from polypropylene, it’s fine to use an antibacterial spray on the surface.
• You can also spray with a hose to clean making the chairs even more low maintenance.

Garden Tables

The length measurement of a table refers to the length of the table top, not from where you can fit your chairs tucked in underneath. Generally speaking, the description of the table will include how many it can seat. However, if you are hoping to squeeze in a few more or use other chairs, make sure you check.

To help this, measure between the table legs from the narrowest point to ensure your chairs will fit neatly under your table.

Indoors we suggest leaving around 70-90cm between the edge of your table and each wall or between other pieces of furniture in the room. However, as mentioned previously, you can be a bit more flexible with this in an outdoor space. Just keep in mind that the chairs need to be able to be pulled in and out, leaving enough room for people to pass through.

Top Tip: If you want a better idea of how much space the table will take up, mark out the space on a sheet or piece of card.  

What Shape Dining Table?

A round dining table is perfect if you have a small garden or patio but still want to create a sleek outdoor dining setting. They typically have a pedestal style base which allows you to pull up a couple of extra seats when needed as you’re not restricted by table legs or corners.

A square or rectangular dining table will allow plenty of room for all of your BBQ spreads and tasty treats. Mirroring that of your dining area indoors, a larger dining table will create more of a presence in your garden space. Pair a rectangular or square dining table with corner dining bench and some dining chairs for a really stylised and statement look.  

Care and Cleaning: Garden Tables  

Powder Coated Aluminium

What are they made of? When aluminium is exposed to the elements, it’s material qualities mean that it develops a microscopic layer of oxide on its exterior. It’s this oxide layer that acts as a barrier to protect the metal from further damage and prevent it from corroding!

• To clean the powder coated leg frame, first, remove any decorative cushions or furniture accessories. Then, simply wash or hose the surface with soapy water or with a mild household acid such as vinegar or lemon juice.
• To further protect the surface after cleaning, wipe the surface with a little car wax or baby oil on a dry cloth as this will help give the surface a wonderful shine.
• Avoid using a pressure washer or a strong setting on a garden hose nozzle as such a strong and focused stream of water could damage the furniture finish. A normal garden hose will do just the trick.

Etched Tempered Glass Table Tops

What are the made of? Acid etched tempered glass with a film colouring applied on the back. Because acid etched glass isn’t an applied finish that can chip or peel off, it really becomes an integral feature of the glass.

• To clean acid etched glass, spray the glass lightly with a good quality, non-streaking window cleaner.  Then wipe the table top over with a clean, soft lint-free towel.
• After cleaning, move the cloth in a circular motion to dry the glass. This will help to prevent water marks and spots.
• Never use anything abrasive as this will scratch the beautifully smooth surface.
• We advise not to place hot utensils straight onto the table’s surface. Instead, use something such as a table matt or wicker coaster. This will prevent the glass surface becoming marked or slightly damaged over time from the heat.

Garden Benches

Garden benches are perfect for creating convivial seating areas that will allow everyone to enjoy meals outdoors. If you’re after benches for your outdoor space, here are a few tips and things to consider:

Allow enough space so that the front of the bench is in line with the front of the table. This applies whether you have your bench tucked in or at the full length of your table.

A full-length outdoor bench works especially well with a pedestal-style table. You can neatly tuck the bench in while still maximising the space you have available. 

A backless bench will be narrower than a bench with a backrest. This means you’ll have all the seat comfort without the extra depth of the back. Backless benches are also lightweight and easy to move in and out. This makes them ideal for versatile garden seating.

A garden corner bench is a great alternative to dining chairs. It can instantly create a cosy seating area in the corner of your garden or patio. It also does the job of an outdoor sofa set as you can sit back and get unashamedly comfortable just as you would indoors.

If you're looking for something that would work for an outdoor lounge or living space, go for modular garden sofa sets - they're so versatile and can be arranged into any shape or formation to suit your needs and space. A number of our sets can be arranged to convert into day beds for those sunny afternoon naps.

Care and Cleaning: Garden Benches

What are the cushion covers made of? The cushion covers for our garden range are made from 100% polyester. A synthetic polymer,  polyester is a very smart material choice for an outdoor cushion covers as it’s resistant to stretching and shrinking, it’s quick drying, moisture resistant and easy to clean.

All of our garden benches have removable cushions with removable covers. This means they can be machine washed if needed. However, we recommend keeping this to a minim as this will hinder the effectiveness washed, however, we don’t recommend as it can affect the showerproof / anti UV coating.

• Polyester is showerproof due to its coating. The cover isn’t indestructible though. We suggest that you don’t leave your cushions out in the rain or bad weather. Also, make sure they’re thoroughly dried before storage.
• For regular, light cleaning, you can lightly brush off any loose dirt or grime and then vacuum the surface.
• We strongly advise against using any harsh detergents as this can damage the material. Instead, stick to water-based cleaning agents.
• Never clean outdoor cushions with a pressure washer as any excessive pressure can tear through the material.

Get Your Garden Ready For Summer Now

We’ve covered a lot. Don’t feel overwhelmed though. Here’s a final run through of what sizes you need to keep in mind and the top tips from this post. You’ll be sat lapping up the sunshine in your lovely garden in no time!

1. Measure your space so you know what you have to work with.
2. Check the table, chair and/or bench height so you know you’ll be sitting comfortably.
3. If you want to use the table ends, it’s a good idea to measure the table width.
4. Knowing your table length will help you decide how many chairs you can have. You’ll also know what bench length and size to go for.
5. Remember to check the table measurement from in-between the legs, not just the table top.
6. Check your materials, both for comfort and durability.
7. Outdoor seating is far more flexible than indoor, so have some fun with your styling.
8. Consider storage, whether that’s indoors or in another area of your garden space.

Show Us Your Style

Summer is just around the corner. So when you have your stylish new Danetti outdoor furniture in your garden, we’d love to see! Post a picture on either Facebook or Instagram with the #mydanetti for a chance to be featured on our page.