Garden bar stools for outdoor entertaining

A pair of garden bar stools turns a plain patio into a place to gather — perch at a raised bar table with a morning coffee, pull up alongside an outdoor kitchen island, or line them up at a garden breakfast bar for weekend brunch in the sun. Our range covers weatherproof stools in PE-rattan, powder-coated aluminium, steel and hardwood, with and without backrests, so you can match the look of your existing garden furniture and the height of your bar.

Below you'll find practical guidance on getting the seat height right, choosing a material that shrugs off the British weather, and keeping your stools comfortable and stable outdoors — with fast UK delivery and 30-day returns on every order.

Getting the height right

Height is the single most important measurement with a bar stool, and outdoor bar tables vary more than indoor ones. Measure from the ground to the underside of your table top, then allow roughly 25–30cm of gap between the seat and that underside so knees fit comfortably. As a rough guide, a standard bar-height table (around 100–110cm) suits stools with a seat around 75–80cm, while a counter-height island (around 90cm) pairs with a seat nearer 65cm. If you're buying stools and a table separately, always check both figures rather than assuming they match.

Choosing a weatherproof material

• PE-rattan (synthetic rattan) - woven over an aluminium or steel frame, it looks like natural rattan but resists rain and UV fading, making it the easy all-rounder for a British garden.
• Powder-coated aluminium - lightweight, rustproof and simple to move, ideal if you shuffle furniture around or store it over winter.
• Steel - heavier and very stable in a breeze, usually powder-coated for weather resistance; wipe away any scratches promptly to keep rust at bay.
• Acacia and teak hardwood - warm, naturally weather-tolerant timber that suits a rustic or Scandi scheme; oil occasionally to keep the colour rich or let it silver.

Comfort, backrests and footrests

For short spells - a quick drink or a coffee - a backless stool is neat, easy to tuck under the table and takes up less visual space. For longer sessions and relaxed entertaining, choose stools with a backrest and ideally an integrated footrest, which makes a real difference to comfort over an evening. Look for a stable, wide base if you have decking or uneven paving, and consider a slatted or drainage-friendly seat so rainwater runs off rather than pooling. A tie-on outdoor seat pad adds cushioning for special occasions and lifts off easily to store indoors.

Weather care and storage

Even fully weatherproof stools last longer with a little care. Give aluminium and PE-rattan a wipe with warm soapy water each season, oil hardwood as needed, and check that feet or glides haven't worn through on hard paving. Bring any seat pads indoors or into a dry box when they're not in use, and over winter either cover your stools with a breathable furniture cover or store them in a shed or garage. Stackable designs make winter storage far easier if space is tight.

Garden bar stools - frequently asked questions

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