How to Choose the Right Garden Furniture for Your Space

Creating your dream outdoor space starts with choosing the right furniture — and at Rathwood, we have everything you need to transform a garden, patio, or balcony into a true outdoor haven.
From elegant rattan sets to durable cast aluminium furniture, stylish pergolas, and even BBQs and pizza ovens, we're here to help you design a space that's ready for relaxing, dining, and entertaining all summer long.

Here’s our expert guide to picking the perfect garden furniture for your space.

1. Know Your Space

Start by measuring your outdoor area.

• Compact patios, courtyards, and balconies work best with smaller bistro sets, compact rattan sofas, or lightweight aluminium dining sets.

• Medium gardens can easily accommodate larger dining tables, modular lounge sets, or a combination of seating and shade with a pergola.

• Large outdoor areas offer more flexibility — think full dining suites, outdoor kitchens, firepit seating areas, and canopies for year-round comfort.

Always leave enough room around furniture for easy movement — it keeps the space feeling open and inviting.

2. Pick Materials That Suit Your Lifestyle

Choosing the right material can make a huge difference to how you use and enjoy your garden furniture:

• Rattan Furniture: Beautifully timeless and low-maintenance, perfect for cosy lounging and stylish dining. Rathwood’s rattan ranges are UV-stabilised and built over rust-resistant frames, ideal for the Irish climate.

• Cast Aluminium Furniture: Strong, elegant, and completely rust-proof — a brilliant choice if you want durable, traditional outdoor dining sets that can be left outside year-round with minimal maintenance.

At Rathwood, we offer both options so you can find the right fit for your style and your needs.

3. Choose Furniture Based on How You Want to Use Your Garden

Think about how you plan to spend time outdoors:

• Dining and Entertaining? Opt for a spacious dining set — and pair it with a BBQ or pizza oven for the ultimate outdoor kitchen experience.

• Relaxing and Lounging? Go for a rattan lounge set with deep cushions, a coffee table, and maybe add a gazebo or canopy for extra comfort.

• Flexible Hosting? A modular sofa set that can adapt to larger gatherings or smaller evenings in is a smart investment.

You can even combine zones — for example, a shaded dining area under a pergola and a sunny lounging corner with a firepit.

4. Don’t Forget About Shelter and Shade

Ireland’s weather can be unpredictable. Adding a pergola, canopy, or gazebo to your outdoor space lets you enjoy your garden longer, even if the odd shower or strong sun makes an appearance.
Rathwood offers stylish, durable structures that pair perfectly with our furniture sets for a complete outdoor living solution.

5. Protect and Maintain Your Investment

All of Rathwood’s garden furniture is designed to be as low-maintenance as possible — but adding a protective cover will help prolong its life and keep it looking its best.
We stock a wide range of high-quality covers for our furniture collections, pergolas, and BBQs, so you can easily keep your space ready to enjoy at a moment’s notice.

Ready to design your perfect outdoor space?
Explore Rathwood’s full garden furniture collection here — and discover beautiful, durable furniture and outdoor living solutions built for Irish homes.