Why our weather is the real test of garden furniture

Anyone who has lugged a sodden cushion in from the rain in July knows that British gardens ask a lot of their furniture. We do not get a long, dry season; we get drizzle, downpours, humid spells, sudden frost, then a burst of fierce sun that bleaches and cracks whatever it touches. Add in a few weeks of tree pollen, some autumn leaf mould and the occasional slug making a home under a chair leg, and you have one of the more demanding climates for anything left outdoors.

The good news is that the market has caught up. There is now plenty of well-made furniture designed to shrug off a damp Tuesday in March and still look smart in August. The trick is knowing which material suits your space, how much upkeep you are honestly willing to do, and how to store and protect it between uses.

Teak: the traditional heavyweight champion

Teak has been the go-to timber for British garden furniture for generations, and for good reason. It is dense, oily and naturally resistant to rot and insect attack, so it copes with wet winters far better than softer woods such as pine or acacia. Left untreated, it weathers to a soft silvery grey, which many gardeners prefer. If you want that warm honey tone back, a light clean and an annual application of teak oil will do it.

The main considerations are weight and cost. A teak bench is genuinely heavy, which is a plus in a windy garden but awkward if you need to reconfigure a small courtyard. Look for FSC-certified timber and check that fixings are stainless steel, because ordinary steel screws will rust and stain the wood. Avoid teak alternatives described simply as "hardwood" unless the species is named — some are far less durable.

Rattan and synthetic weave: light, flexible, quietly hardworking

Natural rattan is beautiful but not really an outdoor material in this country; it dislikes prolonged damp and will go brittle. What you want is synthetic rattan, usually a high-density polyethylene weave around an aluminium frame. It is light enough to move single-handed, does not mind rain, and the tighter the weave, the better it resists water getting to the frame beneath.

• Check the frame: aluminium will not rust; steel will, however it is painted.
• Feel the weave: thick, closely woven strands last longer than thin, gappy ones.
• Look at the feet: plastic or rubber glides stop the legs scratching decking and lifting damp from paving.
• Stack or nest where possible: a big advantage if your seating area doubles as a path to the shed.

Rattan sets suit small spaces particularly well because corner and modular versions squeeze into awkward angles that a rigid bench cannot.

Powder-coated metal: sleek, sturdy and low fuss

Powder-coated aluminium or steel is the choice if you want clean lines and minimal maintenance. The coating is baked on, so it forms a tough skin that resists chipping far better than paint. Aluminium is the better bet for coastal gardens or anywhere damp lingers, as it simply cannot rust. Steel is stronger and usually cheaper, but any scratch that reaches bare metal will begin to corrode, so touch up chips promptly with a matching enamel.

Metal frames do get hot in direct sun and cold in winter, so pair them with cushions you can bring inside. They also benefit from being lifted off grass and soil during the wettest months to stop the base sitting in standing water.

Protecting your seating through the year

Whatever you choose, a little routine care will add years to its life. Covers are the single best investment, but only if you use the right sort.

• Choose a breathable, waterproof cover rather than a solid plastic sheet, which traps condensation and encourages mould.
• Make sure the cover is slightly oversized with a drawstring or tie-downs, so wind cannot whip it loose and scuff the furniture underneath.
• Shake off standing water after heavy rain; a sagging cover full of water will stretch and eventually split.
• Store cushions indoors, in a dry shed or a ventilated box, whenever they are not in use.
• Give timber a gentle scrub with warm soapy water each spring, and re-oil only if you want to keep the original colour.
• Wipe metal frames with a damp cloth and check for scratches twice a year.

Small-space strategies that pay off

In a courtyard, balcony or narrow town garden, every piece has to earn its place. Folding and stacking designs let you clear the floor when you need the space for pots or a path. A bench with built-in storage gives you somewhere to stash cushions and covers without a separate box. If you are short of room, consider a bistro set that seats two comfortably rather than a larger set that seats four awkwardly.

Position matters too. Tuck furniture against a sheltered wall, away from the prevailing wind, and it will stay drier and last longer. A few well-placed pots can screen the legs from splashing, and a small sail or awning will cut the worst of the rain.

Buy the best you can afford in the material that suits how you actually live, protect it sensibly, and your furniture will see you through many more British summers — and quite a few wet ones.