On display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010, the Bramblecrest Sahara 180 benches with a Sahara 180 round table. Good protection from sun and wind. With a 3.5m parasol, there is also protection from the rain, though one might begin to wonder why one is not sitting indoors. The combination is very well suited to a cosy garden dinner – though it is a can be a problem if one of the guests with a centrally positioned seat wants to visit the loo. The furniture is made from woven extruded polyethylene. It is strong, tough, colourfast and comfortable.

This is an attractive way of making garden furniture – and a fine example of thrifty design. But we can’t say it is the most comfortable or the most quick-drying garden furniture we have ever used!

. Copper is a beautiful material to have in a garden. It is heart-warming, eye-pleasing, reflective and ever-changing. But what can one do with it? As this photograph shows, a swinging seat is a good choice. It is fun to have, nice to see and loved by children.

Here is another useful contribution to a cosy outdoor meal. The seating arrangement is companionable; the woven barrier protects your legs against unwelcome gusts; some heat can accumulate from all the legs-under-the-table; you can play footy-footy with the companion of your choice – and deny all knowledge of the game if this proves expedient. The resin looks like rattan but has immense durability. The glass tabletop is much easier to clean than a bare weave. Recommended!

‘Outdoor’ and ‘Garden’ furniture makes one think of hard, durable materials – which last well but are none to comfortable. But a range of modern fabrics is available which can resist the weather. They will not be damaged by getting wet. But we would still recommend taking them indoors when there is a long period of rain, or when they are not likely to be used because of the winter weather. Uneven surfaces are always likely to support green moulds if they are wet for extended periods of time.

. This design is becoming a garden classic. First, it passes the crucial test for ALL SEATING: it is comfortable. Second, the rain runs off the tubes. Third, it has elegance. Fourth, the inward curve on the seat makes it more sociable than a straight seat – you do not have to put such a twist on your neck to smile at your companion.

Well designed and modern furniture can be a great starting point for an elegant modern garden design. In buying the furniture one is saying ‘thank you’ to the designer. Then, in the manner of all artists, one can use the designer’s work as a starting point for one’s own garden design.

Here is a classic garden bench. It was made in the last century but you can find similar benches today – and can be pretty confident of your great grandchildren inheriting them in excellent condition. Just make sure the paint does not flake off, especially from the feet.

But what do you think of the green? It tugs the heart strings of everyone who remembers Jaguar’s great days but some people say ‘you should not use green paint in gardens’. Their point is that because the other garden greens keep changing there is a danger of your chosen green looking out of place.

Tell us what you think!