A garden chair is something you use almost every day when the weather is nice. The material determines how comfortable you are, how much time you spend cleaning it, whether you can move the chair easily and whether it can spend the winter outside. Aluminium, Textilene, rope, wicker, wood or plastic: each material has its own strengths and pitfalls. In this article we compare them honestly, with tables, examples of garden chairs available in each material and a short test that will point you to the right material in a minute.
In short: an aluminium frame is lightweight, doesn't rust and is the safest base for most gardens. Choose Textilene if the chair needs to dry quickly, rope for a soft, airy look and wicker for a warm lounge feel. Wood looks the most natural but needs the most maintenance, and plastic is the easiest choice for extra chairs. Not sure? Take the chair test.
At a glance: today's prices
| Product | Today's price | |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma dining chair taupe / valley sand | €95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Osaka adjustable garden chair carbon black / mid grey | €140.24 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Triton dining armchair carbon black / rope dark sand | €146.54 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Toledo dining garden chair carbon black / rope taupe | €149 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Osborne dining armchair vintage willow / desert sand | €269 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Margriet dining garden chair carbon black / natural | €149 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Ibiza dining chair acacia white wash / grey sand | €199 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Skala dining armchair acacia / rope taupe | €249 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Ceasar plastic chair anthracite | €74.95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
All materials at a glance
A garden chair essentially consists of two parts: the frame and the seat. The frame determines the weight, the sturdiness and how well the chair withstands the weather. The seat determines how you sit, how quickly the chair dries and whether you need cushions. That is why you often see combinations, such as an aluminium frame with rope or wicker. This table shows what each material is strong at and what to watch out for.
| Material | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Lightweight, doesn't rust | Gets hot in the sun |
| Textilene | Dries quickly | Feels firmer |
| Rope | Soft, airy | Dirt sinks into the rope |
| Wicker | Warm lounge look | Dirt in the weave |
| Wood and acacia | Natural appearance | Most maintenance |
| Plastic | Lightweight, easy to clean | Looks simpler |
If you're mainly looking for the most comfortable model, also read which garden chair is the most comfortable. If you want to see right away which chairs score best at the moment, check out best garden chair 2026.
Which material suits your situation?
The best material doesn't exist separately from your garden. A chair beside the pool needs something different from a chair under a veranda. Use this table to see which choice is strongest for your situation.
| Situation | Strongest choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stays outside all the time | Aluminium with Textilene | No cushions needed |
| Long dinners | Rope or wicker with cushions | Soft and supportive |
| Often moved around | Aluminium or plastic | Light to lift |
| Limited storage space | Stackable chair | Takes up little room |
| Natural garden | Acacia or wicker | Warm appearance |
| Family with children | Plastic or Textilene | Quick to wipe clean |
You'll find general points to consider, such as seat height, armrests and the size of your table, in buying garden chairs: what to look out for.
Aluminium: the safe foundation
Aluminium is the most widely used frame for garden chairs, and not without reason. It doesn't rust, is light enough to slide the chair into the sun with one hand and can stay outside all season. The frame is usually powder-coated in a colour such as anthracite, carbon black or taupe. One drawback: in full sun the metal can get hot, especially the armrests. You can read more about the material in what is aluminium and can an aluminium garden set rust.
A good example is the Oklahoma dining chair: a powder-coated aluminium frame weighing around 8 kg with a water-repellent cushion. The cushion cover zips off and can go in the washing machine.
Oklahoma dining chair taupe / valley sand
You'll find more models at aluminium garden chairs.
Textilene: sleek and quick to dry
Textilene is a sturdy, open-woven fabric made from coated polyester yarn that is stretched tautly across the frame. Water runs straight through it, so after a shower you'll soon be dry again. Because you don't need a cushion, a Textilene chair is ideal if it stays outside all the time. The fabric gives a little, but it feels firmer than a thick seat cushion. To learn more about the material, read what is Textilene.
The Osaka adjustable garden chair combines an aluminium frame with a Textilene fabric seat and an adjustable backrest, so you can go from sitting upright for dinner to reclining for reading.
Osaka adjustable garden chair carbon black / mid grey
If you're looking for more chairs with an adjustable backrest, take a look at adjustable garden chairs or read what makes a good adjustable garden chair.
Rope: soft and airy
Rope is synthetic cord that is woven or stretched around a frame. It feels softer than Textilene or wicker and gives a chair a light, modern and slightly Mediterranean look. On garden chairs the rope is almost always fitted to an aluminium frame, so the chair stays light. Rope can handle rain, but dirt and suncream can sink into the rope if you leave them for a long time. You can read more about the material in what is rope.
Triton dining armchair carbon black / rope dark sand
Toledo dining garden chair carbon black / rope taupe
The Triton weighs around 6 kg, so it's light to move, while the Toledo is stackable and therefore handy if you need to store your chairs in a small shed over winter. You'll find more models at rope garden chairs.
First, imagine sitting in one of these chairs: how long will you be sitting in it? For a quick cup of coffee, the material matters little. If you're sitting at the table for three hours, you'll notice every difference. In that case, choose a chair with armrests and cushions, and only then let the look play a part.
Wicker: warm weave
Wicker is plastic weaving, usually wrapped around a metal frame. It looks like rattan, but it stands up better to rain and sun because it isn't a natural material. Wicker looks warm and full and suits a rustic or lounge-style garden well. The weave itself isn't soft, so you usually sit on cushions. Pay attention to the frame too: most wicker chairs have aluminium, but some have steel with a coating. Steel is heavier and can rust if the coating is damaged. You can read about the difference from rattan in what is the difference between wicker and rattan.
Osborne dining armchair vintage willow / desert sand
Margriet dining garden chair carbon black / natural
The Osborne has a wide 62 cm seat and an aluminium frame. The Margriet shows that the frame can vary: it has a steel frame with e-coating and flat wicker for a retro look. You'll find more models at wicker garden chairs.
Wood and acacia: natural and warm
A wooden garden chair gives your patio an instantly warm, natural feel. Teak is the best-known timber for outdoor use, because it contains natural oils. Acacia wood is a popular alternative: sturdy, with an attractive grain. Wood does require more care than the other materials. If you leave it untreated, it will turn grey over time. If you want to keep the colour, clean it and treat it with oil or wax. Read more in popular wood types for garden furniture and aluminium or teak garden furniture.
Among others, you can compare teak garden chairs from Hartman, such as the Napoli and Da Vinci with teak armrests, and from 4 Seasons Outdoor, such as the Julia in brushed teak. You'll find them under teak garden chairs. There are also chairs made from acacia wood. For the Ibiza, Garden Impressions advises feeding the wood 1 to 2 times per season with a wood protection oil or wax. The Skala combines an acacia frame with a rope seat and backrest.
Ibiza dining chair acacia white wash / grey sand
Skala dining armchair acacia / rope taupe
You'll find more models at wooden garden chairs. To learn how to treat wood, read how to treat wooden garden furniture.
Plastic: light and low-maintenance
Plastic garden chairs are lightweight, don't need cushions and can be cleaned with a bit of soapy water. They're ideal as extra chairs for when guests visit, or for a family with children. The downsides: they look simpler than aluminium or wood, and cheap plastic can fade or become brittle in strong sun. That's why it's best to choose a sturdy chair from a well-known brand. The Ceasar is a plastic armchair made from PP with a maximum load of 100 kg.
Ceasar plastic chair anthracite
The easiest way to clean them is by following the tips in how to clean and maintain plastic garden furniture.
Chair test: which material suits you?
Answer four short questions and see which chair material suits you best.
Which chair material suits you?
Where do your chairs stay when you're not using them?
- Simply outside, all season
- Outside, but the cushions go indoors
- Under a canopy or veranda
- I like to store them in the shed
What does the perfect seat feel like to you?
- Taut and cool, dry after a shower
- Soft and slightly springy
- Deep and full, with thick cushions
- Firm, with a warm wood grain
Which look do you want around your garden table?
- Modern and sleek
- Airy and Mediterranean
- Rustic or retro
- Natural and handcrafted
How much time do you give your chairs each season?
- As little as possible, wiping down is enough
- Rinsing and brushing off now and then is fine
- I don't mind brushing out the weave
- I enjoy applying oil or wax
Aluminium, with Textilene or cushions Lightweight, rustproof and low maintenance. Choose Textilene if the chair always stays outside, or a chair with a removable cushion cover such as the Oklahoma.
Rope on aluminium Soft, airy and light in weight. Rinse the rope now and then and it stays fresh. The Triton is a good example.
Wicker with cushions Warm and full, perfect for long evenings at the table. Pay attention to the frame and preferably choose aluminium, as with the Osborne.
Wood or acacia The most natural look, if you don't mind taking on the maintenance. The Ibiza in acacia wood is a lovely starter choice.
If you want to coordinate not just chairs but also the table and the rest of your garden, use our selection tool. It will guide you in a few steps to garden furniture that suits your space and wishes.
Maintenance and winter care per material
A few minutes of maintenance each month will keep any garden chair looking good for longer. For almost all the chairs in this comparison, Garden Impressions recommends the same: clean the frame with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth, rinse with clean water and let everything dry thoroughly. There are a few differences per material.
| Material | Maintenance | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Soapy water and cloth | Dry or under a cover |
| Textilene | Rinse, gentle brushing | Can stay outside, preferably covered |
| Rope | Lukewarm water, soft brush | Dry or under a cover |
| Wicker | Brush out the weave | Dry or under a cover |
| Wood and acacia | Oil or wax | Dry and well ventilated |
| Plastic | Soapy water | Preferably indoors |
Don't use abrasive cleaners
Scouring pads and harsh products damage the powder coating on aluminium and the coating on Textilene. A soft cloth and mild soapy water are enough. For more tips, see how to maintain aluminium garden furniture.
Rinse rope and Textilene after a summer's day
Suncream, chlorine and pollen sink into the fabric. A quick rinse with clean water prevents stains. See how to maintain rope garden furniture and how to maintain Textilene garden furniture.
Brush out wicker before you clean it
First remove leaves and sand from the weave with a soft brush, and only then clean it wet. More in how to maintain wicker garden furniture.
Treat wood on a dry day
Oil or wax only soaks in properly if the wood is clean and dry. Choose a day with no rain in the forecast.
How long your chairs last depends largely on this maintenance. You can read more about it in how long garden chairs last and which garden chair can stay outside.
Checklist for your order
This is how you choose the right material in four steps:
Full sun and rain call for a material that dries quickly, such as Textilene or rope on aluminium.
For long dinners, choose armrests and cushions; for shorter moments, Textilene or plastic will do.
Short on space? Choose a stackable chair and check this in the product information.
If you don't fancy applying oil or wax, avoid wood and go for aluminium with rope, wicker or Textilene.
What to look for in the material
- Frame: aluminium doesn't rust, steel is heavier and needs a good coating
- Seat: Textilene dries quickly, rope feels soft, wicker needs cushions
- Weight: the lighter the chair, the easier it is to move
- Cushions: a removable, washable cover saves a lot of work
- Maintenance: wood needs the most, plastic and aluminium the least
Tick these points off before you order:
- I know whether my chairs will stay outside all season
- I have checked the frame material: aluminium, steel or wood
- I have compared the seat height with the height of my table
- I know whether I want chairs with or without cushions
- I have checked whether the chair is stackable, in case I have limited storage space
- I know where I'll store the cushions dry
- I have a suitable protective cover in mind
Common mistakes
Only looking at the seat
Wicker or rope says nothing about the frame underneath. A steel frame is heavier and can rust if the coating is damaged. So always check the frame material in the product information.
Choosing wood without time for maintenance
A wooden chair looks beautiful, but without oil or wax it will turn grey. If you don't mind that, that's fine. If you want to keep the warm colour, set aside an afternoon every season.
Leaving cushions outside
Even a water-repellent cushion gets wet after long rain and dries slowly. In bad weather, store cushions dry, for example in an storage box.
Buying chairs without measuring your table
A lounge-style chair with a low seat doesn't suit an ordinary dining table. Compare the seat height of the chair with the height of your table. If you're unsure about the right height, read buying garden chairs: what to look out for.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for garden chairs?
For most gardens, an aluminium frame is the safest choice: it doesn't rust, is light to move around and needs little maintenance. What you choose for that frame depends on your taste: textilene for a sleek chair that dries quickly, rope for a soft, airy look, or wicker for a warm lounge feel. Wood is the choice for a natural look, if you don't mind the upkeep.
Which garden chairs can stay outside?
Chairs with an aluminium frame and textilene, rope or plastic wicker can handle rain. Do bring the cushions indoors during prolonged bad weather. Garden Impressions advises that for many chairs you store them somewhere dry over winter or cover them with a protective case. Wooden chairs need the most attention in winter.
What is the difference between rope and wicker garden chairs?
Rope is synthetic cord woven or stretched around a frame; it feels soft and looks airy and modern. Wicker is woven plastic with a rattan-like appearance that looks warmer and fuller. Both can handle rain. With wicker, dirt tends to get caught in the weave more easily, while with rope, dirt can work its way into the cord if it's left for a long time.
Are wooden garden chairs a lot of maintenance?
Wood needs more care than aluminium or plastic. For the acacia Ibiza dining chair, Garden Impressions advises treating the wood once or twice a season with a wood protection oil or wax. If you leave the wood untreated, it will weather to silver grey over time. That isn't damage, but it does give a different look.
Is textilene as comfortable as a chair with cushions?
Textilene is a stretched fabric that gives slightly, so you can sit on it perfectly well without a cushion. It does feel firmer than a chair with a thick seat cushion. For a quick lunch, textilene is ideal; for long evenings at the table, many people prefer a chair with cushions or place a loose seat cushion on the textilene.
Are plastic garden chairs a good choice?
Plastic chairs are lightweight, easy to clean and don't need cushions to stay outside. They're ideal as extra chairs or for a family with children. They look simpler than aluminium or wood, though, and cheap plastic can fade in strong sunlight.
