Outdoor Furniture

Buying guide

Choosing outdoor furniture in Kenya

Start with the space, then the number of people who will use it most days. A set that fits the space and the household gets used. One bought for a party once a year mostly gets in the way.

Match the set to the space

• Balconies and small terraces: a two-piece set keeps the walkway clear. The 2-seater white rattan tub chair set with its round glass-top table suits a flat balcony.
• Family patios: four seats around a table works for meals and evening tea. Look at the 4-seater brown rattan outdoor dining set.
• Gardens and entertaining: the 6-seater rattan high dining set sits at bar height, good beside a grill or a pool.

Count the people who sit outside most evenings, then add one seat for visitors. That number is usually the right size.

Rattan or wood?

Most of this range is synthetic rattan woven over a metal frame. It is light to move, wipes clean and keeps its colour well in the open. Prefer timber? Our comparison rattan outdoor sofas vs wooden outdoor furniture explains the trade-offs for the coast and upcountry. At the coast, salty air is hard on bare metal, so check frames and fixings before you buy. In cooler places such as Nanyuki and Eldoret, cushions matter more than the frame.

Shade and comfort

Sun is the main enemy of outdoor seating in Kenya. Pair your set with a cantilever umbrella from our garden parasols range, and read the parasol guide for sizes and colours. For a quiet corner, a 3-seater striped swing chair or a piece from our hammock and swing chairs adds somewhere to sit and read.

Care that keeps it looking new

• Bring cushions indoors in heavy rain and at night during the long rains.
• Wipe rattan with a damp cloth and mild soap; avoid pressure washers.
• Cover the set when you are away for weeks, especially near the sea.

Furnishing a villa, lodge or rental? See furniture for hotels, lodges and Airbnbs. Buyers looking for outdoor sets in Mombasa and the coast or Eldoret will find the pieces most asked for there.