^{Key specs: 2 x armchairs, 1 x table, 2 x gray seat cushions}

^{Dimensions: Table: D70cm H68cm. Chairs: D56 x W50 x H93cm}

^{Advantages: Comes with detachable cushions; Parasol hole (parasol not supplied)}

^{The inconvenients: More expensive than steel}

A bistro table and chair set is perfect to place near the house for an impromptu breakfast or afternoon tea, if the sun persuades you outside, and can be added to anything but the most small garden or courtyard.

You’ll find plenty of inexpensive steel options, but these usually need to be well maintained to prevent rusting. If you can afford to spend a little more money, this cast aluminum table and two chair set looks great and should prove to be a good investment in the long run.

The backs of the table and chairs have a trellis design that gives them a certain cafe chic while a subtle etched pattern on the legs adds detail to its curvaceous good looks.

The chairs have removable gray cushions and there are central holes in the table for a parasol if you need shade while enjoying your coffee and croissant.

^{Key specs: Table: 75cm H x 100cm W x 170cm W, Chairs: 100cm H x 85cm W x 63.5cm D}

^{Advantages: Sophisticated appearance for outdoor dining; Reclining chairs}

^{The inconvenients: Some self-assembly required}

Kettler has combined aluminum with teak and glass – two other materials that match aluminum’s year-round durability – in this stylish outdoor dining set.

For just under £1500 you get six chairs and a dining table which, at 170cm x 100cm, comfortably seats six for all but the most extravagant banquets.

For an added touch of comfort, the chairs each have multiple recline positions and teak armrests, sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The dark gray powder coated aluminum frames are slim and elegant, with textile fabric for the seats and chair backs providing flexibility, and a teak effect glass table top matching the armrests.

^{Key specs: Material: Aluminum, Polyester Size: Height (cm) 77 x Width (cm) 225 x Depth (cm) 78}

^{Advantages: Wear-resistant frame; Contemporary look}

^{The inconvenients: Minimalist style not to everyone’s taste}

Garden designers will often suggest that your outdoor space be seen as an extension of your home and treat it as an extra “room” for relaxing and entertaining. If you have the space, a good quality sofa will certainly attract you out of the house more often.

Aluminum is an ideal material for building sofas, being able to withstand the rigors of weather and multiple bodies sitting and lying on it.

They can also be as stylish as your home furnishings, as evidenced by this contemporary 3-seater sofa. Sleek black frames have contrasting taupe cushions made from hard-wearing textured polyester.

Although they are weatherproof, it’s best to protect the cushions from winter rain to keep them looking great, but that aluminum frame should still repel the weather.

^{Key specs: Size: Height49cm x Width51cm x Depth174cm}

^{Advantages: Stylish yet affordable; Folds up when not in use}

Trendy furniture designers love the challenge of creating a new lounge chair, and aluminum is often their preferred material choice for its ability to be shaped into sleek, modern shapes.

But such a high-end design can come at an exorbitant price. So seeing a lounge chair that marries functionality with a chic, contemporary look for under £100 makes us sit up and take notice.

The lounge chair can not only be adjusted to five reclining positions, but it can also be folded up for space-saving storage.

The epoxy-treated aluminum and plastic-coated canvas are both hard-wearing and comfortable, and it’s available in a choice of fresh colours.

If you’re someone who chases the sun in the garden all day, you might curse the lack of wheels for easy movement, but to catch the rays without feeling guilty about the cost, it’s money well spent. .

^{Key specs: Materials: Aluminum, Dimensions: Length 98 cm x Width 41 cm Height x 82 cm}

^{Advantages: Elegant vintage look; Curves for more comfort}

^{The inconvenients: Requires some self-assembly}

Powder coated aluminum has been given a vintage look for this bench, with a distressed black paint and gunmetal stain, and a latticework design for the back and seat.

We like the subtle curves that run up from the legs, up the armrests and into that lattice pattern on the back, and the slight curve on the seat that makes it a little more comfortable to sit on.

With a length of 98cm it can accommodate two people while the curved seat not only adds a visual link to the overall design but also makes it a bit more comfortable to sit on.

This bench would look great on the patio, porch, or under a shady tree.

^{Advantages: Adjustable back; Headrest included}

^{The inconvenients: Lacks the traditional deckchair stripes}

Perhaps the simplest piece of garden furniture is the chaise longue – a portable piece that can be used in the garden, at the campsite or on a picnic.

Some may complain that the loungers aren’t particularly comfortable, but Dakota Fields has improved on the classic design with an adjustable backrest and headrest.

A sturdy aluminum frame is fitted with PVC coated polyester fabric. So, unlike cheaper wooden deckchair standards, it can be left outside all year round with minimal maintenance.

It’s available in understated gray or wine red for a modern look, though we’d like to see an option in the traditional colored stripes of lounge chairs.

^{Key specs: Table Total: H 63 x W 109 x D 109.5 cm Hearth: W 40 x D 40 cm}

^{Stools (x2) Total: H 35 x W 60 x D 40 cm}

^{Corner set Small section: H 85 x W 160 x D 70 cm Large section: H 85 x W 230 x D 70 cm}

^{Advantages: Includes table surfaces for cups and plates; Built-in fireplace with contemporary design}

^{The inconvenients: Takes up a lot of storage space}

If you have the budget, a complete living room set will make invitations to your garden parties the most popular tickets in town.

And, with this aluminum frame set, you can make the occasions even warmer by lighting the fire pit that comes with it.

The full specification of this luxury set is an upholstered five-seater corner sofa with slatted wooden ends that can be used as side tables; two stools with matching waterproof cushions; a fire pit with wood effect table top that serves as another place to place plates and cups.

You’ll need to fit a standard 5kg gas cylinder to fuel the flames, and the makers advise bringing the set on for extended periods of time, so you’ll need a decent space to store everything.

But if space (and money) aren’t an issue, get ready for a garden party summer.

^{Main features: Material: aluminum and polywood; Size: D: 170cm x W: 200cm x H: 76cm}

^{The inconvenients: A piece so difficult to move}

We still like to sit around a picnic table in a pub or park, but the heavy-duty wooden affairs that are popular in these environments can grossly dominate in anything but a sprawling garden.

By opting for aluminum, as in the Wembley Picnic Table, you can reduce the overbearing impact with something a little more contemporary.

The aluminum frame connects the table to the bench with sleek angles and provides plenty of strength for you and your friends to sit on, while the polywood tops add a natural finish to the piece.

We also think it’s smart enough for a more formal dinner party at a fraction of the cost of a chic dining set.