Best porch furniture to elevate your outside space in 2024
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With warmer weather here, Britain is stirring into life.
At least, its outside areas are. Sunshine opens the itinerary to all sorts of activities, from picnicking in the park and heading out to the coast to enjoying the simple pleasures of your outside space - whatever it looks like.
After winter though, they may need a few new touches to keep them looking good for the season ahead. We’re talking fresh wood stain on sheds and fences, sorting out soil beds and planters, upcycling old furniture or seeking new if you’ve got the space to work with.
Know your outside space
- A balcony: an outdoor platform that's accessible from above-ground level only.
- A deck: typically found in the garden, a deck is a raised platform that sits on ground level with no roof above.
- A porch: also known as a verandah, this outside space is sheltered by a roof which is attached to the main structure it's part of. Some porches run around the house while others serve as an entry point.
For those lucky enough to have a porch attached to the home, kitting it out is the fun part. Yes, it’s time to talk about choosing the right porch furniture.
The good news is that the options are slightly broader than with garden furniture. As the area is sheltered somewhat against the elements, homewares like cushions, blankets and rugs can be included in the decor. Materials like rattan sets and timber furniture won’t age as quickly either. And while we always recommend using furniture covers over winter, it’s less of a die-hard rule for porch furniture.
If you’re looking for inspiration to transform your porch, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best pieces to buy now and love all summer - and beyond.
Shop the edit below
Anthropologie Peacock Indoor/Outdoor Hanging Chair
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Make use of your porch's ceiling while maximising floor space with a 25lbs hanging chair. This vintage look is finished with filigree-style weaving and comes fully assembled with a seat cushion - all you need to do is hang it.
Oliver Bonas Tortuga Brown Rattan Storage Shelves
![](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/04/29/15/03/Oliver Bonas Tortuga Brown Rattan Storage Shelves.jpg.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=640)
Love Seventies style? This storage unit has it by the shedload with three levels to stash your favourite bits and pieces, all supported by vintage-look rattan and cane. It should be kept out of direct sunlight so best placed in a shady spot to make the corner more useful.
Charles Bentley 3M Garden Hammock With Wooden Arc Stand One Person – Cream
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Kick back and relax in the summer breeze in a hammock that will transport you straight to the Caribbean. Held on a bowed wooden base, the cotton canvas is cool and breathable to lay on all day, if the mood takes you.
ClassicLiving Delphi Porch Swing
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Affixed to your porch ceiling, this swing is big enough to sit two. Not only does it create seating space, but it won't feel cluttered thanks to the lack of legs. A dream addition if you've got the room.
La Redoute Bianca Low Garden Armchair
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Enhance the corners of your deck with a low-seated armchair to curl up in. Showcasing a funky green, mustard and pink checked print, La Redoute’s Bianca armchair comes complete with a solid, attractive teak construction and a mid-century silhouette primed for weekend chilling.
Anthropologie Handwoven Akna Indoor/Outdoor Rug
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Thought rugs were only for indoors? Think again. This blue and cream design can be used outdoors too, adding colour and texture to an easily forgotten space. It's available in three sizes: 61 x 91cm, 91 x 152cm, and 152 x 244cm.
Habitat Betal Rattan 2 Seater Sofa - Natural
Offering a sculptural aesthetic as well as a pretty perch, this Habitat Betal sofa is the perfect spot to curl up for a well-deserved snooze under a light blanket. Made from 100 per cent rattan, the organic textures and shapes will fit in well with all kinds of outdoor spaces, whether they’re perfectly maintained or a little on the wild side.
Blue Elephant Solid Wood Bench
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Channeling modern farmhouse, this beautiful black bench is ideal for adding style to your outside space. The tall spindles add height to the backrest, giving extra support to the lucky souls who get to sit there. A few cushions and a throw will make it a lovely place to sit and smell the roses.
Modbury 2 in 1 Convertible Garden Bench and Picnic Table
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A piece that demands both space and access but will reward you with its versatility, this picnic bench converts into a standard garden bench for two. It's perfect if you're always throwing garden parties but don't want a full table cluttering up your outside space.
George Home at ASDA Black Novaro 4-piece sofa set
Petite outdoor spaces and smaller gardens can still accommodate sofa sets - just on a more compact scale. This lounge set from George Home manages to blend the pretty and the practical perfectly - its black steel frame offers a cool industrial edge and is corrosion-resistant, while the polyrattan weave is also waterproof. Pull up a pew.
Urban Outfitters Miriam Black Rattan Chair
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Urban Outfitters home is a go-to hub of all-things rattan. The brand is brimming with nature-inspired pieces such as the Miriam Rattan Chair, which comes in neutral black and vibrant red colourways. Create a thoroughly Seventies space with the retro piece which features a rounded back with curved arms, a square seat and a solid base.
B&Q Solano Green & Pink Metal Round Side table with Glass Tabletop
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Even a small addition can revive your outside space. This cute pink and green design comes with a glass top, making it perfect for using as a small coffee or cocktail table.
Anthropologie Pari Rattan Chair
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Yearning for the resort look? Bring the holiday aesthetic home with black rattan; it'll look striking in any theme or colour scheme you've got going on. The deep seat and armrests make it a supremely comfortable perch, which will only be heightened by a nice seat cushion. It's intended for indoor use, so bring it inside when rain is forecasted.
Hay Weekday Bench W111 plank pinewood bench 111cm x 45cm
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Do you have a slim porch? No matter, there are still many seating options available. Take Hay's weekday bench, for example. The slim seater from the Scandi brand is made from pinewood and painted sky blue (a green version is available too). It'll add a jolt of colour to small spaces and can double as a compact coffee table too.
Charles Bentley Wrought Iron Companion Seat Sage Green
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If all you're after is somewhere to read the weekend supplements in peace with nothing but a coffee for company, this sweet companion seat is the best bet. Rendered in a fetching sage green, two wrought iron chairs are attached by a table and lower shelf to keep refreshments close to hand.
Wahson Rattan Dining Bench Modern Ottoman Bench Seat
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This simple bench is finished with cane detail, offering a boho feel. It can be used in lots of ways, from extra seating when guests come around to an elongated plant table to keep plants that are too delicate to handle the wilds of the garden. Also available in a black frame.
The White Company Woven Jute Lantern – Medium
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Not strictly furniture, but lighting is important for any home set-up, whether that's inside or out. Create a cosy atmosphere with The White Company's jute lantern, woven by skilled makers in Vietnam. The medium size is ideal for placing in a dark corner but should you wish to suspend it from the ceiling, there's a handle that can help with that too.
Charles Bentley Natural Wicker Bistro Set
Turbocharge your small space with a sophisticated bistro set, like this design crafted by expert Charles Bentley.
Made from natural wicker and finished with a cushion pad to make things more comfortable, the two-seater set offers a chic and comparatively inexpensive way to get your garden seating up to scratch. It does require construction, so dust the DIY kit down - at least you’ll have a lovely spot to sit once you’re finished.
Cotswold Co Clapton chair and footstool set
Add a pared-back yet ultra-chic Scandi-style sun-soaking hotspot to your garden with this bleached acacia wood and rattan weave lounge chair and footstool. The synthetic weave mimics the look of rattan but is durable enough to suit outdoor life; it’s also a super-comfy perch for your posterior.
Kick back and put your feet up, or use the footstool as a coffee (or cocktail) table as you need. The only problem? You might have to share it with your other half on the odd occasion - if you’re feeling really generous.