29 of the best outdoor sofas for stylish gardens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rodolfo Dordoni has designed a modular outdoor sofa that is a visual ray of sunshine, bringing lightness to gardens with a flat teak base and cord backrest. His intention was to bring an intimate and relaxing atmosphere to the outdoors. £19,812, Minotti

Clad in weather-resistant fabric, this voluptuous sofa is designed to dry in an impressive hour following a downpour. Perfect if you are afraid of using upholstered furniture in the British summertime. Try placing it in a corner of your decking to create a cosy nook. From £3,600, aram.co.uk

Outdoor furniture expert Dedon’s first fully upholstered range, this was designed by Lorenza Bozzoli. Her background in the fashion industry is apparent in the stylish detailing, such as the diagonal seam that breaks the sofa’s blocky silhouette. £4,302, Dedon

Chi Wing Lo has designed a minimalist frame for this outdoor sofa, maximising the impact of its chunky waterproof cushions. Its name comes from the Greek for ‘the earth’ and there’s a grounded quality to its style. £7,755, Giorgetti