The Best Outdoor Furniture for Patios, Decks, and Backyards

Outdoor living spaces offer us a place to relax, enjoy nature, dine, and play, especially in the warmer months. And, of course, if you have outdoor space, you’ll probably need to furnish it. Understanding how you want to use your deck, patio, or backyard can help you make purchase choices that fit your lifestyle and finances.

Our top patio furniture picks

Best places to buy outdoor furniture

Wayfair

A budget-friendly way to shop for a wide variety of outdoor furniture, you can find everything you need here to set up an outdoor space, from sectionals to dining sets. Wayfair’s offerings are a great mix of trendy and classic styles. You can find mid-century modern chairs or pick up rustic farmhouse benches from one online location. Wayfair also carries a range of Adirondack chairs, a staple for sitting lakeside or watching the sunset from your deck.

Along with furniture, pick up sun umbrellas, hammocks, lawn games, outdoor bar carts, storage, and more. It’s a one-stop shop for making your backyard, patio and deck decorative and functional. Wayfair also will return items within a 30-day window, which makes it a safe bet for purchasing furniture online.

AllModern

One of Wayfair’s branded retail websites, AllModern is good for finding affordable designs inspired by Bauhaus and other mid-century makers. You can search the outdoor furniture section by material, from all-weather to mixed metals, to make sure your purchase can withstand the elements.

Blu Dot

This Minneapolis-based furniture company designs contemporary pieces for inside and outside your home. We like its colorful Hot Mesh patio chairs for their comfort and polished modern look. Blu Dot also offers a range of outdoor sofas and sectionals as well. Its prices are aligned with its high-end and modern design.

What to consider when buying outdoor furniture

First, think about how you want to use your outdoor space. Will you throw large parties? If so, you may want easy-to-move furniture to make space for a crowd. If you love eating outside, make sure you buy a table large enough to accommodate a group of guests. Maybe you want to create an outdoor play area with standing hammocks and lawn games. If so, make sure to leave space between the furniture for kids to have fun.

Other considerations

Materials

If you want outdoor furniture that lasts more than a season, purchase durable materials like teak, acacia, and other weather-treated woods. Cast or wrought aluminum and all-weather wicker are also durable choices.

Size

Make sure to measure not only the furniture you are buying but the space for it. You will want to make sure you can easily push in or pull out a chair and leave space to walk around a piece without banging into something.

Weight limits

Before you buy a piece of furniture, check how heavy the piece is, so you can know if it is easy to lift and/or put away during a storm, if necessary. In addition, you should make sure to know the weight limit of each item so that when kids and dogs pile onto the furniture, it will hold up.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Make sure the furniture you purchase is meant for outdoor use to avoid leaving cushions that smell like mildew. Some fabrics are easier to clean than others. Sunbrella, a cushion fabric, is easier to clean and maintain than linen or cotton. Rust-free aluminum, weathered steel, and acacia wood are all examples of outdoor furniture that are easy to clean and maintain.

Shape

After measuring your space, think about how you will use it. If you enjoy BBQs and sit-down meals, make sure your outdoor table can support a large number of guests. Many outdoor tables (both round and rectangular) have a hole in the center of them to accommodate a large sun umbrella to make mealtimes under the sun more pleasant.

After deciding what you want and need, determine your price point.

There are endless options, from wallet-friendly budget to high-priced patio furniture. To help, we asked design experts, realtors, and outdoor furniture enthusiasts about their favorite designs and sets.

How we selected the best outdoor furniture

Expert advice

I received tips from patio and deck lovers, design pros, and real estate agents who say well-appointed outdoor living space (large or small) is now a necessary component of your home.

Durability and water-resistant

I chose brands that were durable in most kinds of weather — including rain and sleet. Although most experts recommend covering your patio furniture when not in use, it’s helpful to own weather-resistant fabrics and materials in case you (and your patio) get caught unexpectedly in a downpour.

A range of styles and budgets

Patio furniture is a big sector of the furniture market, and as outdoor space becomes an important part of a well-appointed home, I wanted to offer a range of top-quality products in styles from classic coastal to mid-century modern, but in a range of price points for all kinds of budgets.

When is the best time to buy outdoor furniture?

If you want to purchase the latest styles and trends, consider purchasing in early spring, suggests Forest, when items are still in stock. Memorial Day is a great time to snag high-end pieces at lower prices. Snap up the best pillows, often also on sale, for outdoor furniture in a fabric like Sunbrella that won’t fade.

Other experts recommend looking for patio furniture after the summer season ends, in late fall or winter, when it tends to go on sale.

What are great accessories for your outdoor space?

“I love Tucci umbrellas,” shares Forest. “If you are going to buy one accessory, this is it. They are the best in the business and make any space more inviting. Coolers, fire pits, outdoor lawn or deck games, movie screens, poofs, weather-resistant rugs and floor pillows are all great additional accessories to complete your outdoor oasis.

Care and maintenance of outdoor and patio furniture

It’s important for the longevity of your outdoor and patio furniture that you keep it clean and covered in inclement weather. How you maintain your furniture will depend on its materials.

Wicker

Use a vacuum to remove all the crumbs and dirt between the weave of the material, and wash any dirt or grime with warm soapy water or remove mold. Wicker likes to be covered in bad weather, so make sure to purchase furniture coverings to keep it looking good over time.

Sunbrella fabric

Sunbrella fabric (often used on pieces of patio and outdoor furniture) can usually stand up to most spills if they’re water or lemonade (two drinks in rotation on our deck in the summer), but make sure to clean spills fast. The company suggests using a mild cleaning solution of soap and water or a multi-purpose fabric cleaner. Spray the mixture and blot liquid spills. Make sure to rinse all your fabric after you clean, and then just let those cushions air-dry.

Wood

Simply remove dirt with a mild mix of soap and water by washing your wood by hand. Consider restaining wood over time if it becomes too beaten up. You can also use a wood-specific furniture cleaner as well if you need a deeper clean.

Aluminum

It’s important to care for your outdoor aluminum furniture because it can tarnish over time. Experts suggest using a solution of warm soapy water with lemon juice to wipe down aluminum furniture every week. In addition, for extra dark dirt, a steel wool pad can be used to try to remove it.

Related: Outdoor Living Space Ideas for Summer and Beyond

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the best material for outdoor furniture?

Natural wood and Sunbrella materials are two popular choices for furniture. “Natural wood like teak will last a long time if you take care of it,” says Forest. “Use furniture oil and cover all outdoor furniture to help with its longevity.” Whatever you buy, make sure it is water-resistant and weatherproof.

How do I get the best deals on outdoor furniture?

You can get the best deals on outdoor furniture by shopping in-store and online sales. Many stores offer significant discounts over Memorial Day weekend. End-of-season sales, along with Labor Day markdowns, often happen in late August or early September. “Best time to buy patio furniture would be at the end of the summer when all sales start to hit,” recommends Martha Gaffney, certified interior decorator and strategic real estate advisor at Real Estate Bees.

If you have a favorite store, it can be worth signing up for emails and texts from it so you can be among the first to know about any upcoming sales.

Is it worth buying expensive outdoor furniture?

Good quality outdoor furniture can last for a few decades. And while not all expensive pieces necessarily mean good quality—if you buy anything, make sure the pieces are built to last. Outdoor furniture with weather-proof fabrics, durable wood like Acacia and teak, and materials like rust-proof aluminum can be worth the investment.

How do I choose the right size and style of outdoor furniture for my space?

“Mixing and matching furniture is always fun so all pieces don't always need to look the same. When looking for outdoor furniture, it's best to look for something that suits not only your style but your needs for use,” says Gaffney.

Always measure your patio, deck or yard before purchasing and allow for two-to-three feet of space for foot traffic. Think about how much furniture you need to be comfortable outside and how you will use the space. A dining area on a deck will need enough clearance to pull out chairs or get back and forth safely to a grill.

Make sure your furniture is in place for optimal viewing of a pool, garden or yard and doesn’t block doors leading back into your house. Otherwise, your style will likely dictate what you buy for your space.

Can outdoor furniture be used indoors or vice versa?

Indoor furniture is not usually made to withstand the elements, making it potentially risky to use outdoors. However, outdoor furniture could be used in your home, depending on whether you like it and how it influences your decor and style. If you have a covered sunroom, for example, wicker and rattan outdoor furniture that is heat- and humidity- friendly, it might be a great fit.

How do I protect my outdoor furniture from weather damage?

Always cover your outdoor furniture and accessories, like a grill, to protect it from weather damage. If you own an outdoor movie screen, put it away after use to keep it from getting damaged. Pillows, cushions, poufs, and other comfortable accessories should not be left out in the rain, sleet, or other damaging weather conditions. Buying furniture covers to fit your couches, tables and chairs can help protect heavier pieces during poor weather. When emergency and severe weather conditions are in the forecast, bring all outdoor furniture and accessories indoors.

Will a great outdoor space raise my home’s value or a buyer’s interest?

Yes. Outdoor space has become a priority for buyers. If you are thinking of selling your home, a well-appointed, good looking deck, patio or lawn will likely make a difference and great furniture and accessories can have a positive impact as well. "The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed how we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert.