Why now is the perfect time to buy this essential piece of homeware

For many of us, the wet and windy autumn weather has now well and truly arrived, which sadly means we’ve probably said goodbye to enjoying late evenings and early mornings in our gardens.

It also means that for those of us lucky enough to have some outdoor space, our garden furniture – be it loungers, a table and chairs set, or an entire dining set – has now been stuffed back into storage for another couple of months. 

However, if you’re looking for some upgraded outdoor furniture, or perhaps some new pieces altogether (especially if you're buying some for the first time), we've just found out the best time to buy garden furniture, and it turns out it is actually right now!

The best time to buy outdoor furniture

It might seem illogical to start purchasing garden furniture immediately after summer has ended (it’s a little like buying next year’s Christmas presents in January), but there are actually plenty of reasons why it makes a lot of sense – both financially and in terms of buying the most useful set or chairs for your home.

First of all, if you already have some garden furniture, never will its use this summer be more fresh in your mind. Ruth Marshall, Chelsea Gold medal-winning Garden Designer and Director of CGLA says, 'This is a great time of year to be purchasing garden furniture. 

'Summer is nearly at an end and you will have fresh in your mind what was uncomfortable, broken or looking tired before you put it away for winter.'

Reilly Gray, Co-Founder of Suns Lifestyle also explains that now is one of the best times of the entire year to take advantage of some of the best garden furniture deals, too. 

'Many retailers tend to hold sales or offer discounts at the end of the season, and sometimes the discounts are quite substantial.' And it's true; the likes of Argos and Dunelm are currently running brilliant clearance deals on certain items.

You shouldn’t assume that these discounts will last all winter long - meaning that if you wait until later on in the winter, you could be paying almost as much as you’d pay at the height of summer. Dave Sadler, owner of JB Furniture, explains, 'There will most likely be an increase in furniture prices around the beginning of 2024, so by purchasing now, you are securing your set at 2023 prices.

'This is because some retailers are still carrying lots of stock and want to reduce their stock holding in order to purchase new lines for next year, so they are therefore offering big discounts right now.'

Of course, as with all seasonal items - be it Christmas gifts, Halloween decor, or outdoor furniture - the weeks before they are used most regularly are when prices tend to be bumped up, and when stocks of your favourite pieces might run at their lowest.

Dave says, 'By purchasing a set now, you will beat the inevitable rush at the beginning of next summer.' Reilly agreed that buying now will put you ahead of the game, ready to enjoy any early spring weather. 

'By buying your furniture early, you'll be well and truly ready for the good weather once the spring and summer seasons kick in, whilst avoiding peak demand in Spring.'