Want the best garden swing seat for your outdoor space? It makes sense – they are one of the best garden furniture options to relax in. Yep we said it; they are even better than a sun lounger. They are like a more stable hammock, and who doesn't want that in their garden?
From wooden and rustic-looking seats to contemporary contraptions with UV-resistant roofs, there is plenty of choice out there. There are swing seats with built-in cushions and those that will accommodate as many as three people at once. Browse our guide to find the one that's perfect for your garden.
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The best garden swing seats
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With the impeccable style of a wooden arbour and the relaxation of a swing seat, the Rowlinson Dartmouth Arbour is a pretty genius piece of garden furniture. If fabric swing seats simply aren’t to your taste, or you’re put off by leaving fabric furniture outside between seasons, wood is the way to go, and it doesn’t come much more elegant than in this arbour swing seat.
Latticed sides look beautiful as-is, although if you’re chasing a more permanent, grown-in look, they could also be used as a support for climbing plants. Meanwhile, the curved Japanese style roof adds a hint of Eastern intrigue without looking too deliberately themed.
This slightly retro-styled swing seat looks delightfully light and romantic, but the Caroline is actually quite sturdy and well built, and able to support as much as 220 kilograms. What we really like about this swing seat is the design with two separate seats, rather than the usual bench-style seating you get with most swing seats. And the seats themselves are well padded and very comfortable. The dusty pink colouring makes this swing seat look bang on trend, too – a welcome departure from beige.
While this Charles Bentley three-seater garden swing seat might not have the added bonus of letting you stretch out quite so much as in our previous pick, it’s a great one to have on hand for parties and lazy afternoons alike. Seating three upright, or a relaxed one in need of a nap, its sturdy polyester mesh gives it an edge over other, similar designs. It's tough yet bouncy enough to be comfortable to sit on. We also like how modern the chunky frame makes this swing seat look – perfect for a contemporary deck or patio.
Almost sofa-like, the upholstered bench of this Outsunny vintage swing seat gives it a real indoor-outdoor look that’s just the thing for more formal outdoor spaces. The piped edges of the sofa cushions and elegant single-button detailing look very refined, while the vintage-style scrollwork metal frame is both beautiful and functional. There’s even a small shelf on either side to keep drinks close to hand.
Rather than encompassing an awning, this swing loveseat follows the pattern of our first pick in combining arbour and swing seat for a comfortable, sheltered sit – with a neatly gabled fabric roof that blends in beautifully.
Another swing chair from expert outdoor retailers Outsunny, this swing chair errs on the side of the traditional more than our previous pick. Its scalloped awning and valance are exactly what you might picture when you hear the words 'garden swing seat', while its curved frame adds a little unexpected elegance.
It’s not all standard though – the three-seater swing sofa folds flat, allowing you to stretch out on a double-sized surface, all the while protected by the water-resistant canopy. With two included pillows and a beverage tray on either side, it’s just right for those lazy, hazy afternoons.
This Kingfisher swing chair is about as traditional as they come, but in solid wood rather than weatherproof fabric, this wooden swinging bench benefits from a timeless design – and that’s good news, because the tough materials ensure it’ll last through whatever garden trends might come our way.
Reviewers loved the neat design and commended the bench’s sturdy build, as well as its deep seat and high back that mean you don’t have to sit quite as bolt upright as you might with shallower swing seats. The only issue some identified was that water could pool on the canopy in rainy weather, so it may just need the odd push to stop stagnation.
Green, cream and natural wood are favoured outdoor furniture shades for a reason, but if you’re after something a little more unexpected, this Anthracite Milan swing seat may be right up your street. In an all-over deep grey/black shade, it’s not just bang on trend but immune to common staining culprits like barbecue condiments and cups of coffee.
The PVC-coated polyester thread it’s woven from means it’s built to resist the weather too. With its large shade providing confident coverage in hot and sunny weather, it’s great for summertime.
How to buy the best garden swing seat
Where to buy the best garden swing seats
Wood or metal frame?
When it comes to the best garden swing seats, you’re typically looking at a choice between wooden benches and metal frames with fabric covers. Depending on how much padding you like, and exactly how much lounging you’ll be doing, you may want to choose a side. Although, like so many other things, it also comes down to aesthetics. Our best swing seat for its combination of good looks and durability – arguably the holy grail of garden furniture buying – is the Rowlinson Dartmouth Arbour, a beautifully styled wooden arbour with lattice sides and Japanese-style roof that also packs in a swinging seat.
Cushioning
It's a must-have. If they're shower-proof, all the better. Machine washable? Marvellous.
The shade
Is it easily adjustable? Shower-proof? Easy to remove it if needs cleaning?
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