Outdoor dining set

Billxx

Hi, we are looking to buy a garden dining set.  "L" shaped space, so two sofas in an "L" with a joining corner piece, two bench seats.  Total seating 8 places.  Table big enough to accommodate 8 places, preferably one of those clever tables that lower and raise for casual and/or dining.  A bit like this:

There are deals to be done on-line, so can anyone recommend on-line manufacturers?  Also, any ideas about storing the cushions during the winter?

Any help gratefully received.

Kind Regards,

Bill

twopenny

Storage will be the problem.
You need somewhere dry to store the cushions.
You'll probably need to make a waterproof cover or look for one directly for your set by the manufacturer.
The winter rain brings dirt, leaves and bird poo to clean off otherwise. So also look for one that is easy to clean, the wicker-ish ones are especially difficult.
Someone on here was struggling with that and they'd been stored in a poly tunnel.
Sorry, don't know about online. Reviews should help if your circumspect but people don't often follow up the winter after. Maybe someone else who has one?

Slinky

You'd think a manufacturer would come up with a design where the cushions could be stored in the base of the seating wouldn't you.....

twopenny

Awww. That would cost money and people would have no reason to buy a new one
Ditto covers to keep the dirt off.
They do look smart and comfy though. I've been tempted.
I made covers for my garden furniture using the blue plastic tarpaulins £1 each and a staple gun. Didn't look pretty but no one saw in winter and they worked  treat.
No work the following year.

Brie

Never tried this myself but someone years back said the best thing to do with the cushions is to take the covers off and wash them with the type of re-proofing stuff you use for hiking jackets.  That was if they are left out in the rain or just when it gets very dewy the water will simply bead off rather than being absorbed.  I doubt it will help much if it absolutely pours down but should get you through most normal summer weather.  Should make wiping off dirt and other sh.t a bit of a doddle as well.

WeAreGhosts

The price of garden furniture can be eye-watering. I bought a sofa, chair and table set from Asda online last year. It was about £400 and looks much more expensive. I went with a metal one as a few friends had rattan and didn't rate the quality whether they bought expensive or cheap.

The cushions go in the garden shed when there's rain expected, but over winter I wrapped them in polythene and stored them in the loft.

Billxx

Thanks for that.  We have also come to the conclusion the cushions will end up in the loft during winter.

Billxx

Brie said:

Never tried this myself but someone years back said the best thing to do with the cushions is to take the covers off and wash them with the type of re-proofing stuff you use for hiking jackets.  That was if they are left out in the rain or just when it gets very dewy the water will simply bead off rather than being absorbed.  I doubt it will help much if it absolutely pours down but should get you through most normal summer weather.  Should make wiping off dirt and other sh.t a bit of a doddle as well.

Useful, thank you.

Working_Mum

I store mine in a builders one tonne bag -  I hang the bag with the cushions inside from hooks on the rafters in my garage - they fit well and are easy to get in and out whilst still using the garage normally

liberty_lily

We have an outdoor storage box for some of ours (the large ones from our Been & Queued egg chair, as well as a few scatter cushions intended for indoor use) which we keep close to the seating area, but those on our garden dining furniture stay out most of the year because they are showerproof. In winter we put a purpose made cover over the whole set.

The furniture itself is Gloster polyrattan and despite being seven years old, looks like new. Although we cover it in the worst winter weather, we still hose it down in spring.

Gloster stuff is far from cheap - we got ours from Birstall garden centre in a sale so saved a bit 😉 - but is definitely worth the extra £££ if you can stomach the cost,  imho.