Bright & Beautiful
This sleek lovely will blast your garden firmly into the 21st century. Made from welded aluminium, it’s strong but light and the powder coated finish is available in acid green, pink, turquoise, orange, dark and light grey or white. It’s all made to order, so you can request any size. Groove table, from £950; Portal benches, from £500 each, Jennifer Newman (01225-337790).
Sexy & Sophisticated
A funky twist on a classic style, this set echoes the elegant details of Louis XIV furniture but in cool industrial black zinc. The metal will develop its own unique patina over time, making it yet more gorgeous. Louis table, £395; Louis stools, £100 each, Heal’s (020-7636 1666).
Simple & Stylish
Large families/popular people will enjoy the extra elbow room around this table, which extends from an eight to a 10 seater. The mesh-topped metal table and lattice backed chairs have an antiqued iron finish for that lived-in look. Emu Piano extending table, £495; Emu Veranda dining chairs, £99 each; Emu Veranda armchairs, £109; seat pads, from £18.50 each, John Lewis (08456-049 049).
Sleek & Spacious
With tubular steel legs and extending glass table top, this garden set positively shouts class, while bottoms will appreciate the comfort of the weatherproof PVC mesh chair seats. It can seat up to 14 and is also available in white and black. Ninix glass extending table, £2,585; Ninix dining chairs, £455 each, Indian Ocean (020-8675 4808).
Cheap & Cheerful
Bring some colour into the garden with the cheery shades of this slim, powder-coated steel, folding furniture. Available in ink blue, ocean blue, natural, saffron yellow and red, they are inexpensive enough to buy loads and mix and match them with abandon. Parc folding chairs, £39 each; Parc folding table, £79, Habitat (08444-99 1111).
