We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
33 of the best outdoor sofas for stylish gardens
Don’t settle for anything less than total comfort and originality in your outdoor living space
The garden should be treated like an extra living room, ready for sunny days (trust us, they are coming). And the most important element in any living room is the sofa. We’ve compiled an essential edit of the outdoor sofas that perfectly combine comfort and practicality, using the latest high-tech fabrics that can withstand showers as well as sunshine. Want to continue your journey into outdoor comfort? Try our edit of the best outdoor lounger chairs and the best furniture for al fresco dining too!
‘Aura Island’ sofa, King Living
If summer has you picturing yourself sunbathing on a faraway island, King Living’s modular sofa is for you. With a spacious base, organic curves and minimal backrests, its shape is inspired by floating islands. From £2,474, kingliving.co.uk
‘Camelot Outdoor’ sofa by Antonio Citterio for Flexform
This generous sofa is the latest addition to Flexform’s popular ‘Camelot’ range. While a version for indoors already exists, this updated version has been tailored specifically for outdoor weather, thanks to a new iroko frame, which is known for its resistance to rain. From £24,821, flexform.it
‘Vidalenta’ sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina
Nautical stripes make ‘Vidalenta’ the perfect poolside addition. It is also available with high armrests for those seeking a more supported lounge and a chaise longue for the afternoon nappers among us. £11,871, cassina.com
‘Lodge’ sofa by Christophe Pillet for Ethimo
We’re not usually advocates of buying a full suite of furniture (mixing and matching is much more fun) but we’re making an exception for Christophe Pillet’s ‘Lodge’ range as it is all elegant lines and timeless shapes. From £3,966, ethimo.com
‘Insula’ sofa, Kettal
Bring the conversation pit outside with this modular sofa by Patricia Urquiola, inspired by the low, communal seating often found in Arab living rooms. With its curved edges and roll backrest, it is designed for casual encounters and relaxed lounging. £2,635 per module, kettal.com
‘Balestro 24 Outdoor’ sofa, Living Divani
Whether you opt for a woven back or soft cushions, Piero Lissoni’s ‘Balestro’ sofa offers comfort and durability. Its metal base also extends beyond the seat to form a side table – a convenient spot to place drinks on. Price on application, livingdivani.it
‘Oasis’ sofa, Flexform
Antonio Citterio’s seating system has a tubular, powder-coated metal foundation wrapped in hand-woven cord. For the upholstery fabric and cushions, choose from a broad variety of Flexform’s rich textile collection and create a unique colour combination. From £23,600, flexform.it
‘Mirabell’ sofa, Poltrona Frau
Available in ten upholstery fabrics, this classic two-seater sofa by Gam Fratesi is an outdoor staple. Weather resistant materials including a water repellent polyester lining and seat cushions that are made of draining material, make it an ideal choice for temperamental climates. From £6,480, poltronafrau.com
‘Patio’ sofa, Ethimo
With its frame constructed from teak and woven rope, this sofa by Zanellato/Bortotto has a subtly nautical feel that will give you the feeling of owning a yacht even if you have never set foot off dry land. From £4,090, ethimo.com
‘Bondi’ outdoor sofa, RH
With its base crafted from sustainably sourced and ethically harvested teak, and a soft padded seat made of quick-drying foam, this is a design made as much for the British summer as for the Australian ones that its designers Harrison and Nicholas Condos are more familiar with. £7,730, rh.com
‘Sway’ outdoor sofa, Molteni & C
This modular outdoor sofa displays design duo Yabu Pushelberg’s affinity with the natural world, combining sharp edges and rounded curves to create something that feels organic, from the woven backrests to the teak frame. From £28,800, molteni.it
‘Mah Jong’ outdoor sofa, Roche Bobois
One of the most recognisable sofas in Roche Bobois’s catalogue, this favourite is available for the first time in an outdoor version – and it feels perfect for poolside lounging. Designed by Hans Hopfer, this colourful version features an eclectic combination of Missoni fabrics. Price on application, roche-bobois.com
‘Palinfrasca’ sofa, Molteni & C
Belgian designer Vincent Van Duysen's first sofa to feature in this list is Palinfrasca – a lounge seat that pays tribute to a sofa that Molteni&C originally released in 1994. Teak wood has been woven to create the backrest, forming an unusual and eye-catching design. From £13,044, molteni.it
‘California’ outdoor sofa, Indian Ocean
Homes in the UK could benefit from a little of that laidback Californian cool. One way to nail the vibe is to invest in this sofa, with its sunshine yellow velvet cushions (totally weather-proof) and stainless steel frame with teak detailing. £6,405, indianocean.co.uk
‘Trampoline’ outdoor sofa, Cassina
It was during a trip to Greenland that Cassina’s art director Patricia Urquiola noticed trampolines outside the houses. ‘I found they were so joyful,’ she says. When creating her latest range of outdoor furniture collection, she wanted to reproduce that carefree feeling. From £2,430 for an armchair, Cassina
‘Lido Cord Outdoor’ sofa, Minotti
With its stainless steel backrest, aluminium base and multicoloured cords, this sculptural sofa by Gamfratesi is at once incredibly comfortable and durable. This version has thick white cushions and nods to the 1950s with its enveloping and curving form. Price on application, minottilondon.com
‘Rafael’ outdoor daybed, Ethimo
The unusual backrest of this design by Paola Navone has echoes of driftwood on the beach, with various sizes of brushed or pickled teak beams held together by visible metal staples. From £1,792, Ethimo
‘Otti’ outdoor sofa, Sutherland
Named in honour of Otti Berger – the late textile artist and teacher at the Bauhaus – this outdoor sofa by Vincent Van Duysen is the first design by Sutherlands to use sister brand Perennials’ high-performance acrylic rope for the backrest. From £3,654, Sutherland
‘Nooch’ outdoor sofa, B&B Italia
Following on from Piero Lissoni's hugely popular ‘Borea’ is this modular seating system, which takes its name from the tropical garden of Nong Nooch, Thailand. Alongside the fact that it is fully recyclable, its main draw is that it allows you to get playful with your arrangements by adding the connecting table or removing its armrests. From £15,169, bebitalia.com
‘Cape’ outdoor sofa, Cox & Cox
Cox & Cox's ‘Cape’ sofa is designed to be paired with other chairs and tables from the outdoor collection, to form an outdoor seating area that rivals the dining room. While the total set looks fantastic, just the sofa, with its angular lines and slatted boards is enough for us. £2,450, coxandcox.co.uk
The 10 best doormats to buy now
Kitchen worktops: these are the surfaces to covet
This season’s most stylish new cushions
10 of the best: designer salt and pepper grinders
