If we can just get past the wet spring weather and into the warmer summer months, there’s still plenty of ways to have fun around the home in 2023. With so many restrictions because of the lockdown in the past few years, it’s a good moment to appreciate what we already have. Know the top Garden Furniture trends for 2023.
Many people will be looking at their gardens and considering a revamp. Investing in new garden furniture can bring any space to life and certainly brighten those summer days and evenings.
Whether you’re kicking back on a rattan lounger or doing some careful pruning next to your corner sofa, there’s no doubt that spending time in the garden is good for us. Research carried out by Exeter University and the Royal Horticultural Society found:
“People who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological wellbeing and greater physical activity levels than those who do not spend time in the garden.”
We’re certainly better focused on our health and wellbeing a lot more than we used to pre-pandemic. Gardens are the perfect place to destress, get together with friends and have some relaxing fun in a safe environment. Perhaps the biggest trend for 2023 is that we’ll all be using our gardens a lot more.
If you’re planning to create a garden where you want to spend time, of course, you need some great seating. Yes, a lot depends on how much space you have but there a lot of affordable options out there. The good news is that there is a garden furniture solution for almost any size plot of land.
Here we look at the main garden furniture trends for 2023 and what you should be thinking about before you buy that new bistro set or corner sofa and dining table. This is the perfect time to create a space that means something and which you can enjoy using for many years to come.
Just a Garden Furniture Trends hype? It’s Not Just About the Furniture
Once upon a time, it was all about getting affordable furniture, plonking it down on the patio and hoping for the best. Not anymore!
There’s a lot of choices nowadays and you really need to start from the point of view of your garden and what your plan is. In 2023, don’t just throw a bistro table and a couple of recliners by the back wall, really contemplate how you are going to utilise this space and what you want it to look like, not just now but in the future.
Step back, take a closer look at your garden from a variety of different angles and think more deeply about the personalised space you are going to create.
- How many people are going to be using the garden furniture?
- Are you going to have guests round for drinks and meals?
- Where are you going to place your garden furniture?
- Does it have the right amount of privacy?
- Where are you going to store your outdoor furniture during the winter?
- Are you going for a traditional look or something more modern, perhaps Nordic or Japanese in style?
The big trend this year is most notably that people will be more willing to design their space rather than just treat that garden furniture set as an added extra. It seems the lockdown has made us all more creative and willing to take a few risks with our outdoor spaces.
Whether a corner garden sofa fits in well with the space you have is just as important as the brand or style of furniture that you choose. Think about usage first and then fit your choices around that rather than the other way around.
Treat Your Garden Like an Extra Room
There’s been a lot of talk online and on social media over the last year or so because people have been spending a lot more time in their gardens, for obvious reasons. The pandemic has made many of us reconnect with the spaces much closer to home and many of us have started gardening again – in fact, a lot of expert people believe this is a trend that is likely to stay with us.
The trick with designing a great garden space is to treat it like you were creating an extra room in your house. The garden furniture may be the starting point and everything else will flow from there design-wise.
Or perhaps you want to design the layout first and then fit the furniture more closely to the surroundings. Knock down that old brick shed and put up an alcove with lots of hanging baskets and seating where you can contemplate life and be sheltered and comfortable. Maybe there’s a sun trap in your garden and you want to make the most of that.
Mediterranean style gardens are in vogue in 2023, perhaps because we’ve been denied the opportunity to go abroad and holiday like we used to. In these kinds of areas, rattan and wood furniture make a perfect choice as they seem more natural. If you prefer slightly cleaner lines and a Nordic style, materials such as aluminium and slate grey colours look fantastic.
Most people don’t realise that there are a lot more options when it comes to outdoor entertainment and thinking a little outside the box can help build a space that really does engage everyone in the family.
Here are some other simple ideas for creating a garden space you’ll want to spend all your time in:
- Throw in a carpet: It might sound counter-intuitive but you can add a lot of pizzazz and comfort to your space by putting in an outdoor carpet, especially if you’re planning a family event.
- Add a garden bar: There are several different ways to build a little bar in your garden and bring something of that holiday feel to everything. Of course, you can buy it as a ready-made feature but it’s much more fun and personal to create the thing yourself. Here are some amazing ideas to get you started.
- Add depth and colour with a walled garden: If you have a relatively small space and your furniture is likely to take up much of the room, gardening up and planting pots up the wall make perfect sense. It can also give you some extra privacy if you live in a built-up area.
Remember, the view is also important. The last thing you want is to be staring at the neighbour’s bedroom window so positioning should be thought through as much as possible, even for smaller spaces.
Little alcoves where people can have intimate gatherings are going to be all the rage this year. They’re the perfect place to have a glass of wine and read your favourite book or to invite a friend round and catch up.
Make Your Garden Space Extra Comfy
Comfort should be at the top of your list when you are making garden furniture decisions in 2023. The worst thing in the world is a beautifully designed garden where the furniture is either too stiff or too bulky.
Make sure that you not only have enough room but invest in a product that is nice to sit on and where you can wile away a few hours in the midday or evening sun in complete comfort.
If you’re investing in outdoor dining for your garden, there are plenty of options out there nowadays. One choice is to go for a fire pit table – these are a great way to relax on chilly evenings and are brilliant for alfresco dining. Tables with a central focus such as a firepit or wine chiller are also very popular at the moment.
It may be something to do with the pandemic and lockdown, but it’s evident that more people are taking their home spaces more seriously. Meeting up in small groups and having intimate get-togethers have become practically sacrosanct in 2023 and this is likely to persist for some time to come.
With that in mind, comfort is extra important and something you should be paying a lot of attention to – it’s better to invest in high-quality garden furniture rather than opt for something cheap and cheerful which isn’t built to last.
There’s room for more than a little decadence in 2023 after what we’ve all been through. It’s no surprise that our garden centre showroom has been fuller than usual as people come to take a look at the possibilities when it comes to garden furniture of all types.
Extras that Transform Your Garden Space
There are lots of options when it comes to choosing garden furniture in 2023 and there are some great brands out there, available on the high street at a competitive price.
If you have a small space, there is an amazing range of bistro tables and loungers to choose from, for instance. These look great in an alcove or outside an area like a conservatory. They are perfect for those early morning breakfasts or a glass of chilled wine in the evening while you look out over the garden.
Extras can make all the difference when it comes to creating any garden patio space – a potted plant here and there can bring a location to life and soothe the soul.
If you have a pool in the back garden, you’ll certainly want to invest in at least a couple of recliners so you can catch some rays before your afternoon dip. A nice parasol can keep you protected from the midday sun and give you some privacy if you live in a built-up area.
Don’t just look at your furniture in an isolated context, think about what extras you are going to have to build up this space you are going to use again and again. We’ve even had some customers who have combined their new garden furniture with a hot tub.
The strong trend for 2023 is not to settle for second best and we think this has a lot to do with our collective experience of the pandemic. We’ve all had a bit of a shock and there’s no doubt it’s been tough going. Now, as we come out of lockdown, many of us are thinking about how we can utilise spaces like gardens better.
Outdoor Dining for All the Family
Outdoor dining is certainly a big trend for 2023 and many people are investing in amazing garden dining sets so they can enjoy time together with friends and family. If you have the room, investing in a corner sofa or dining set is a great idea and can certainly make a great central focus for your garden.
Garden dining sets can be small and intimate for two to four people or be more imposing, seating up to 12 people. Another trend this year is to buy garden furniture and then spruce it up with colourful throws and cushions to add a little individuality. There’s really no limit to what you can do once you put your mind to it.
Many people are also discovering that they prefer eating outside and it’s becoming a regular thing with many families. That’s why investing in the right dining set can make such a difference.
Check out our garden dining sets here.
Invest in Outdoor Heating and Lighting
If you want to be able to use your garden into the twilight hours, then investing in some sturdy outdoor heating makes sense. There are quite a few different options here including high-quality electric heaters that not only look fantastic but keep everyone warm too.
Heating also means that you can use your outdoor garden furniture well into the autumn. If we have a mild winter, getting out in the garden is a great option, especially at times such as Christmas.
One of the biggest trends in recent years and something that will be perfect for your new garden furniture is to hang lights from the walls and nearby trees and bushes. It helps make any evening spent with friends and family simply magical.
If you’ve invested in a high-quality set of loungers or a dining set, this can add a lot of atmosphere for a relatively small cost. Today’s solar-powered lights are also super-efficient and extremely low maintenance.
Types of Garden Furniture
People are starting to invest more in their outdoor garden furniture in 2023 as they see the great potential for getting creative and building a personal space.
One big thing that customers tend to look at is the material from which their new furniture is made. For a start, people don’t just want something that looks amazing in the garden – they expect it to last too. Everyone will have their preferences but some options certainly stand out in 2023.
While plastic furniture can be cheap and cheerful, it doesn’t always look as good as it should and is sometimes not particularly comfortable. That’s why traditional materials such as rattan and wood still score highly with many of our customers.
Rattan Garden Furniture
If you’re looking for the standout garden furniture material for 2023, not to mention in past years, then rattan certainly ticks all the boxes.
People like it because it looks natural and fits in with a garden environment seamlessly. It also works well if you have a conservatory or dining area with bi-fold doors where you can bring the furniture out into the open on sunny days.
Rattan is either natural or man-made and can be woven into a range of different shapes and sizes to fit almost any space. The majority of furniture nowadays is made from synthetic resin which makes it extremely weather-resistant and long-lasting. That means it’s an attractive option for people who spend a lot of time in the garden or who entertain regularly.
The big benefit of rattan is that it is very attractive as garden furniture and pretty durable. Some rattan garden sets can be quite light, however. If you live in a relatively windy area, you’ll probably need somewhere to safely store smaller furniture sets when the weather becomes a little inclement.
Wooden Garden Furniture
Wood is another popular choice in 2023 and can add a great deal of style to your garden, whatever the design. It’s best to go for hardwoods like cedar and teak that are much more weather resistant and durable. While these can be a little more expensive, they are long-lasting if treated properly and, what’s more, they look fantastic.
Steel and Wrought Iron Garden Furniture
Metal garden furniture went a little out of fashion for a while but is making a big comeback in 2023, especially wrought iron. These items are generally heavy and ornate and are great for patio areas. Most sets are rust-resistant and maintenance is lower than with natural materials such as wood and rattan.
We think steel and wrought iron garden furniture sets are excellent for smaller spaces and you can mix and match them with your own cushions to create the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun.
Aluminium Garden Furniture
Aluminium garden furniture has become increasingly popular over the years because of its clean lines and durability. It’s also lightweight which makes moving around much easier. If you live near the sea, they’re also a good choice for environments where the air is slightly salty as the risk of rusting is much lower.
If you’re looking for value for money in 2023 and want fewer maintenance issues, aluminium is worth a second look at.
Where Can I Buy Great Garden Furniture?
The good news is that all these iconic brands are now available from gardenfurniture.co.uk. You can either shop our collections online here or visit our showroom which is located just off the A1 and located in the Moorland Nurseries Garden Centre, Forest Moor Road, Knaresborough.
We welcome many people to our showroom each day and offer the chance to order through our website for those who live a little further away. With free nationwide delivery and a 30-day money-back guarantee we hope you can join our growing customer base who have shopped online with gardenfurniture.co.uk
