Can YOU tell the £25 fire pit from the one that costs £3,000? FEMAIL reveals the outdoor furniture from Lidl, B&M and Dunelm that looks designer – but costs a fraction of the price
- Budget retailers including Lidl, B&M and Dunelm are selling outdoor furniture
- Some of the pieces look just like similar designs from high-end brands
- FEMAIL puts your shopping skills to the test by putting them side-by-side
Retailers are looking to cash in on the summer of staycations by offering outdoor furniture ranges complete with everything you need to transform your back garden into your own private oasis.
Lidl today became the latest store to announce a new range of furniture and accessories, including a £44.99 hammock and a £199.99 four-seater sofa and table set.
It is just one of the affordable retailers selling designer lookalikes, with B&M, Dunelm and Argos also offering purse-friendly takes on must-have trends.
Independent garden and outdoor retailers Charlie’s, for example, has a stylish fire pit for £24.99 that looks just like a designer version selling for a staggering £3,000.
Elsewhere Argos is offering a £60 woven chair that bears a striking similarity to a luxury £400 pair from Graham and Green.
But can you tell the high-end pieces from their affordable lookalikes? FEMAIL has put 10 essential items side-by-side to put you to the test. The answers are at the bottom.
1.
A tropical throw cushion adds a splash of colour to any outdoor space – but which one of these costs £100, and which is just £7
2.
Stylish seating transforms any garden into an outdoor living room. One of these corner sofas costs £2,010 and the other costs £199 – so can you tell them apart?
3.
Fire pits are the must-have garden accessory of the pandemic, but how much are you willing to spend? One of these designs is an affordable £24.99 while the other is a staggering £3,000
4.
These lanterns are ideal if you want to bring a little lighting into your garden. But which one costs £29.99, and which one is worth £398?
5.
Woven furniture is a popular trend for summer but how much do you want to spend to get the look? One of these chairs is £60, and the other is £400 for a set of two
6.
Sun loungers are ideal for a relaxing afternoon – but there is nothing soothing about the price tags for one of these pieces. Can you tell the £565 sun lounger from the one that’s £100
7.
A wooden bench is a classic choice for a traditional garden look. One of these costs £355 and the other £60 – so can you work out which is which?
8.
A hammock is ideal for long sunny afternoons in the garden. One of these designs costs £283.99 and the other is £44.99 – can you tell which is which?
9.
One of these comfortable garden furniture sets costs £199.99 and the other is £2,199.99 – but can you tell the high-end offering from the affordable design?
10.
A rug is a great finishing touch to any outdoor space but do you think one of these is worth £259? The other costs just £25
THE ANSWERS
1.
Right is more expensive. This £7 cushion from B&M (left) is proof style doesn’t have to be expensive. Right, this £100 cushion by PODEVACHE is available at Amara UK
2.
Top is more expensive. Bring serious luxury to your outdoor living space with the Leo Modular Outdoor Sofa (top), available for £2,010 at Heal’s. Below, a £199 offering from Made.com
3.
Top is more expensive. Designed by Henrik Pedersen for Gloster, this £3,000 fire pit (top) is available to buy at Viva Lagoon. Below, a similar design for £24.99 at Charlie’s
4.
Left is more expensive. The £398 Tika Solar Lantern (left) from The Worm That Turned looks similar to the £29.99 Bright Garden Giant Rattan Solar Lantern by Cherry Lane Garden Centres
5.
Right is more expensive. The Argos Home Ross Rattan Effect Garden Chair (left) costs £60. Right, a set of two Hampstead Armchairs costs £400 from Graham and Green
6.
Top is more expensive. The Eos Outdoor Sun Lounger by Case, available to buy at Heal’s, costs £565. Below is the £101.99 vidaXL Sun Lounger Plastic Anthracite by ManoMano
7.
Bottom is more expensive. Although they look similar, the £60 Argos bench (top) is just a fraction of the cost of the £355.99 design by Urban Outdoor Living (below)
8.
Top is the more expensive. The £283.99 Wayfair hammock (top) has the same striped design as the £44.99 version from Lidl
9.
Bottom is more expensive. This stunning £199.99 seating set from Lidl (top) doesn’t look out of place next to the £2,199.99 set from Primrose.co.uk
10.
Right is more expensive. The £25 Dunelm design (left) isn’t far off the £259 outdoor rug from iRug.co.uk