As Coco Chanel famously said, “fashion fades, only style remains the same.” This rings especially true when choosing outdoor furniture for your outdoor space. Trends come and go, but timeless style endures — deciding between modern and traditional garden furniture is all the more important.
For Summer 2025, homeowners across the UK are refreshing their outdoor spaces and facing one classic design dilemma: Should we go modern or traditional with our garden furniture?
From chunky aluminium sofas to intricate metal dining sets, the choices are endless — and so are the Instagram posts and Pinterest boards.
However, if you're looking for garden furniture that not only captures your style but also complements your home, survives the seasons, and offers serious bang for your buck, traditional designs are making a strong case for staying power.
At Lazy Susan, we’ve spent over a decade helping customers style beautiful, functional gardens across the UK. Here’s why we believe our classically styled traditional outdoor furniture is still the most sensible (and classically stylish) choice for Summer 2025.
What Defines Modern vs Traditional Garden Furniture?
Before we dive into the pros and cons, it’s helpful to understand the key characteristics that set modern garden furniture and traditional garden furniture apart. From materials and design to colour palettes and overall vibe, here’s a clear side-by-side look to help you spot the differences at a glance:
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Style |
Modern |
Traditional |
|
Materials |
Powder-coated steel, rope, minimalist wood, glass, synthetic rattan |
Cast aluminium, wrought iron, solid wood |
|
Design |
Clean lines, modular, minimal |
Decorative, ornate, curved, heritage-inspired |
|
Colour Palette |
Neutrals, monochrome, industrial tones |
Soft whites, warm bronze, natural finishes, antique |
|
Vibe |
Sleek, urban, sometimes stark |
Warm, romantic, timeless |
Modern styles take cues from interior design minimalism, while traditional furniture leans into charm, elegance, and visual texture. Both can be beautiful — but, in our opinion, one is better suited to British gardens.
Why Traditional Garden Furniture Is a Smarter Choice for UK Homes
1. It Complements British Architecture
From red-brick terraces to whitewashed cottages, traditional furniture fits naturally with the existing character of UK homes and gardens. Modern furniture can feel at odds with period details or mature gardens, while a classic white or antique bronze set can elevate rather than disrupt. Outdoor furniture should feel like a natural extension of your home, not a design interruption. That’s why traditional-looking materials and gently curved garden chairs and tables work so beautifully in our gardens: they feel like they’ve always belonged there.
2. It’s Built to Last Longer Than a Trend
Fast trends in garden furniture often mean fast fading, cracking, or rusting. Modern designs can prioritise aesthetics over endurance, with rope and synthetic materials often showing wear after a few seasons. Traditional cast aluminium furniture, like Lazy Susan’s collection, is designed for durability, season after season. It won’t rust, doesn’t need painting, and won’t date the way that trend-led looks can.
3. Timeless Design Means Endless Styling Potential
You can dress traditional garden furniture up or down. Pair antique bronze with earthy terracotta for a rustic Tuscan feel, or style a white bistro set with navy cushions for some crisp coastal charm. Modern furniture often locks you into a specific aesthetic, but traditional designs give you creative freedom to style for any season or theme.
4. It Holds Its Value Over Time
Furniture with timeless appeal holds its value better, both financially and visually. With proper care, a traditional dining set can last a decade or more, while modern styles are often replaced every few years as trends shift to the latest must-have. For us, good garden furniture is not just a purchase; it’s an investment in your outdoor lifestyle.
The Case for our Cast Aluminium Range of Garden Dining Sets
At Lazy Susan, we specialise in classically styled cast aluminium garden furniture — and for good reason. It combines the elegance of traditional design with the performance of modern engineering. Here’s why our customers keep coming back to it:
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Rust-free and weather-resistant (no cover required)
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Low maintenance – just a quick wipe-down
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Lightweight yet sturdy
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Available in classically stylish colours like White, Slate Grey and Antique Bronze
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Perfect for patios, lawns, and courtyards
It's the best of both worlds: heritage charm with modern-day practicality.
Style Snapshot: What’s Hot with our Customers for Summer 2025?
While “modern” furniture continues to dominate Instagram feeds, real-world gardens are telling a different story — one that embraces tradition, charm, and character, but with a thoughtful twist.
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White Bistro Sets
Ideal for small spaces, balconies, and romantic corners, offering a light, airy look that feels timeless but fresh. -
Antique Bronze Dining Sets
Pair beautifully with lush planting and stone patios, blending old-world elegance with modern durability. -
Slate Grey Tones
Give a contemporary update to classic silhouettes, making them versatile enough for both city terraces and country gardens.
The mood for Summer 2025 is relaxed, refined, and real. It’s about creating garden spaces that invite conversation and comfort, not just perfectly posed photos. Traditional-inspired furniture is leading the charge, proving that personality and practicality matter more than ever.
1. Garden Dining Table Sets
Big gatherings are back, and garden dining tables are the centrepiece of summer hosting. Customers are opting for generous, sturdy tables in weather-resistant finishes — often paired with cushioned outdoor seating that invites long, leisurely meals. Look at our extendable options to suit every kind of celebration, from a family brunch to a summer BBQ.
2. Garden Coffee Tables
Low-slung, stylish, and ultra-functional, garden coffee tables in weatherproof materials are no longer just for drinks. They anchor lounge areas, provide a spot for snacks, books, or candles, and complete the indoor-outdoor living look.
3. Garden Bistro Sets
Perfect for morning coffees or evening wine, bistros remain a customer favourite. In Summer 2025, they’re making a comeback in our powder-coated metal in our soft white powder-coated finish. Compact yet elegant, they’re ideal for those who want style without sacrificing space.
4. Garden Sun Loungers
This summer, lounging isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential. Garden sun loungers are making waves for their comfort-meets-style appeal. Customers love our adjustable frames in cast aluminium, often paired with deep cushions in calming neutrals and side tables. Whether poolside or patio-bound, they’re perfect for soaking up the sun and the compliments.
FAQs: Modern vs Traditional Garden Furniture
We’ve included some FAQs to answer your most common questions and help you make confident, informed decisions about choosing the perfect garden furniture for your space.
Is traditional garden furniture still fashionable?
Absolutely. Traditional furniture never truly goes out of style. It’s more relevant than ever as people move toward longevity and sustainability in outdoor design.
Is modern garden furniture easier to clean?
Not necessarily. Many modern materials, like rope or synthetic mesh, can trap dirt and need special care. Powder-coated cast aluminium is far easier to maintain — just hose it down and enjoy.
Can I mix modern and traditional furniture?
Yes — with care. Use accessories like cushions or planters to tie the styles together. A traditional dining set can pair beautifully with modern lighting or textiles to create contrast.
Which style is better for small gardens or balconies?
Traditional bistro sets often work better in compact spaces thanks to their slim profiles and timeless appeal. However, modern foldaway designs can also be a great space-saving option if flexibility is a priority.
Is one style more durable than the other?
Durability comes down to materials, not style. Traditional designs in hardwood or cast aluminium can be just as long-lasting as modern ones in high-grade resin or powder-coated metal. Always check for weather-resistant finishes and UV protection.
Does one style offer more comfort?
Traditional furniture often has more generous proportions and a focus on deep seating, especially in lounge sets. But modern designs can be equally comfortable if you invest in good-quality cushions and ergonomics.
How can garden planters help tie my furniture style together?
Garden planters are a great way to bridge the gap between modern and traditional furniture. Choose materials or colours that echo your table or chairs — like matte black for modern looks or terracotta for a classic vibe — to create visual harmony across your space.
What are the best finishing touches for a garden furniture setup?
Finishing touches like outdoor cushions, lanterns, garden planters, and rugs can transform a simple setup into a styled, cohesive space. These elements add warmth, texture, and personality — and they’re an easy way to refresh your look each season without replacing core pieces.
Lazy Susan’s Final Thoughts: Go Timeless, Not Trendy
Trends may come and go, but your garden is part of your home — and your life. Choosing timeless luxury garden furniture isn’t just about following the latest look; it’s about creating a space where you want to be. Somewhere to sip, to chat, to unwind.
Sure, modern furniture has its moment — all sleek lines and Instagram gloss — but traditional garden chairs and tables bring something deeper: comfort that invites you to linger, craftsmanship that stands the test of time, and a sense of style that feels lived in, not just looked at.
At Lazy Susan, we design with longevity in mind — not just in materials, but in mood. Our outdoor dining tables are made to complement your home’s character and elevate every al fresco moment, from morning coffee to twilight dinners.
This summer, skip the fast fades and go for forever. Because true style doesn’t shout — it lasts.
Show Us Your Style...
Feeling inspired? We’d love to see how you bring your outdoor space to life. Share your outdoor setup by tagging @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook, or upload your photos to our Do Some Good campaign and help support a great cause while showing off your styling skills.
Whether it’s a morning coffee moment or a full alfresco feast, let your garden table tell its story.
