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Upgrade Your Outdoor Space with Affordable Garden Furniture Inspired by Hay Design
With the arrival of spring sunshine, many are turning their attention to revitalizing their outdoor areas in anticipation of summer gatherings. Securing new garden furniture early in the season is advisable, as popular items tend to sell out quickly. This article explores budget-friendly alternatives to the sought-after Hay Palissade range, offering stylish options for picnic dining and relaxed garden lounging.
George’s picnic bench mirrors the Hay outdoor furniture aesthetic (Image: Hay / Nest / George Asda)
George Home Picnic Table Set: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Hay
Last year, the allure of the Palissade collection from Danish brand Hay, with its fashionable slatted metal tables, chairs, and benches, was undeniable. The olive green hue, among other color choices, was particularly appealing. However, the Hay dining table set exceeding £3,100 and the picnic bench at £1,900 presented a significant financial hurdle.
A remarkable discovery was a picnic table set from George at Asda that bore a striking resemblance to the Hay design, but at a considerably lower price point. Costing £1,600 less than the Hay equivalent, this affordable option was understandably popular and experienced stock shortages, requiring patience before becoming available. Now, this set provides an ideal setting for pleasant outdoor meals on sunny days.
The George table fits perfectly in various outdoor settings (Image: Aimee Robinson)
George Home Picnic Set: Features and Availability
The George picnic set is available again this year at Asda, priced at £299. Constructed with a steel slat bench and table, it incorporates subtle plastic coverings for bolt concealment. While the green tone is lighter than Hay’s Olive green, it effectively brightens outdoor spaces. The George picnic table exhibits a slightly more curved form compared to the Hay design but retains the same elongated rectangular shape (140cm width and 80cm diameter) and bench setup.
Assembly is required upon delivery, and while some online reviewers found this challenging, personal experience suggests straightforward construction, resulting in a sturdy set that has endured for a year. The galvanized steel composition has shown resilience to weather, even without winter covering.
Currently in stock, this table’s previous sell-out indicates potential high demand.
The two-seater bistro set, ideal for compact spaces (Image: George)
George Home Bistro Set: Compact Style for Smaller Gardens
For more confined outdoor spaces, George also offers a bistro set echoing the same design ethos. While the bistro table adopts a traditional round shape rather than metal slats, the chairs feature metal slats and rounded armrests. Constructed from galvanized steel and presented in the same light green shade as the picnic bench, it maintains a cohesive aesthetic.
Assembly is necessary, but based on experience with the picnic bench, it is anticipated to be a swift process.
Habitat’s bistro set includes two armchairs in a green finish (Image: Habitat)
Habitat and Argos: Expanding the Danish Design Trend
George at Asda is not alone in embracing Danish-inspired garden furniture. Habitat and Argos also present metal-slatted furniture, encompassing chairs and bistro sets.
Habitat’s relaxed bistro set, priced under £100, offers a compelling option. It features a similar metal slat design in green, with horizontal slats on the armchairs, differing from Hay’s vertical arrangement, yet retaining curved armrests. Its smaller table makes it suitable for intimate outdoor areas, available for £99.
Despite its budget-friendly price, quality is not compromised, as evidenced by five-star online reviews. One customer noted its sturdiness and color vibrancy enhancing garden aesthetics, while suggesting cushions for extended seating comfort.
This bistro set presents a traditional form, executed in metal with a Hay-inspired color palette (Image: John Lewis)
John Lewis Camden Bistro Set: Traditional Style with a Modern Twist
For those favoring a more classic bistro set, the John Lewis Camden two-seater table and chairs provide an excellent outdoor dining solution for limited spaces. While not a direct design replication, its powder-coated steel construction shares a visual similarity with Hay’s metal furniture. It also offers a diverse color selection, including green, blue, pistachio, burnt orange, and grey.
The table features a conventional round design, while the folding chairs incorporate vertical slats. It’s an accessible choice at £99.
Customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.8-star average rating, highlighting zero assembly requirements. Transport may be slightly cumbersome according to some, but one review described it as easily manageable on wheels and immediately usable upon unpacking, praising its aesthetic in a courtyard setting.
The Indu two-seater bench is available in green, yellow, and red finishes (Image: Argos)
Argos Indu Garden Bench: Hay-esque Style for Garden Seating
Seeking a garden bench echoing Hay’s style? Argos presents a slatted metal bench in dark green for £130, alongside red and yellow versions.
The main structure of the bench evokes Hay’s design, while incorporating gently curved armrests. Constructed from metal, additional comfort can be achieved with Argos’ range of outdoor cushions.
A key benefit is its delivery fully assembled, allowing for immediate placement and enjoyment.
Habitat’s bench design showcases a unique curved silhouette (Image: Habitat)
Habitat Lucinda Garden Bench: Curved Design with Geometric Flair
Habitat also offers a distinctive metal garden bench interpretation, featuring a curved form. The Lucinda Garden bench employs a slat design but introduces a unique curved back and geometric shaping. Unlike Hay benches, it alternates slat directions, combining horizontal and vertical panels. It is priced at £125.
The primary bench color is green, with an option to expand seating with the complementary Lucinda metal chair (£60).
Both items, like the Hay garden furniture line, are metal-constructed. Customer reviews currently rate the bench at four stars out of five, with one praising its “strong and stylish” attributes.