The best outdoor sofas to bring comfort and style to your garden

An outdoor sofa sets the scene and elevates your space for relaxing and lounging or entertaining family and friends. Bringing the inside out has become quite literal in recent years thanks to an increased focus on outdoor living, which has given way to this idea of creating an outdoor living room – mimicking all the furniture and accessories that we love indoors, but bringing it out into the garden.

It makes sense that an outdoor sofa is a priority in creating this 'fifth room', and there's no better time than now (at the height of summer) to invest in one.

From garden corner sofas to garden sofa sets with matching tables, an outdoor sofa will really become the focal point of your space. While other garden furniture, such as sun loungers or day beds, are just as comfortable, an outdoor sofa provides ample space, which is especially ideal if you love to entertain.

There are, of course, many outdoor sofa styles and designs to choose from: A garden corner sofa is great for maximising space and putting against a wall or fence, a smaller bench-style sofa is ideal for compact spaces, while a rattan garden sofa can work for any size garden but is ideal for contemporary spaces.

What is the best material for an outdoor sofa?

Of all the possible wood choices for outdoor furniture, teak is the most highly recommended. Considered to be one of the strongest woods, it's incredibly durable, and resistant to rotting and warping. Meanwhile, steel and aluminium are two of the metals used most often. Aluminium is far lighter than steel or iron, and is also very durable. The main advantage of using wrought iron is its strength, although it can be very expensive.

'We shouldn't have to compromise when using fabrics outside. Long gone are the days of slippery nylon cushions and covers,' says David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin. 'Now there is a whole host of luxurious and well-designed fabrics that can be used. Outdoor weaves and eco digital prints all perform incredibly well against light and fading, and they can withstand a shower or two as well.'

When it comes to choosing outdoor sofa cushions, David suggests looking for styles filled with hollow-fibre lightweight pads which won't get sodden in a shower.

The main thing to remember is that a garden sofa should be just as comfortable as an indoor one, but made with water-resistant materials instead. And while you'll want to make sure it's comfortable, you also want the sofa to stand the test of time.

Can I leave my outdoor furniture outside during winter?

Outdoor furnishings, including outdoor sofas, should be stored and protected during harsh weather. Metal, wood and wicker furniture could either be stored inside (if you have the space) or left outside with protective covers on top. While many top-quality outdoor sofas are made to withstand the elements, it doesn't hurt to take extra precautions to prevent wear and tear.

Browse a selection of stylish outdoor sofas below...