Good outdoor furniture that doesn’t cost a fortune is notoriously hard to find. Yet when I bemoaned the scarcity of well-designed and reasonably priced patio furniture in my home design newsletter recently, I was flooded with suggestions. Friends sang the praises of IKEA’s cheap-chic furnishings, but I wanted something that would last. Others advised going vintage, pointing to the abundance of wrought iron furnishings that could be fixed up with paint and new cushions, but I didn’t have time nor energy for a project.
When you search online, you’ll find tons of outdoor patio furniture, al fresco sofas and all-weather chairs that look stylish; but it is difficult to judge quality. Craving more options and professional expertise, I asked landscape, garden and interior designers for their favorite outdoor furnishings. They delivered with more than a dozen ideas. However, my dream of wildly affordable outdoor furnishings might just be that: A dream.
The pros I spoke to say it’s worth paying for something that will last. Consider the per-year cost (and eco-benefits) of owning something you won’t have to replace after a few seasons. Here are sets that are worth investing in.
Perennially popular outdoor set
Of all the furniture that designers recommended, the HAY Palissade collection might be the most beloved. “These Palissade Lounge pieces look good in any garden—traditional or contemporary,” says Leslie Bennett, the author of “Garden Wonderland” and founder of Pine House Edible Gardens in Oakland, Calif. “They stand the test of time in both style and durability,” says Bennett; she and her co-designer Holly Kuljian like the olive color like this powder-coated steel sofa and lounge chair that melds with the foliage around them.
Elevated, all-seasons durability
Loll Designs is known for its modernist take on the Adirondack chair crafted from colorful recycled plastic. “This furniture that will outlast all of us,” jokes Kat Aul Cervoni, the founder of Staghorn NYC Landscape Design, noting there’s much more to their offerings than just chairs. Cervoni used the brand’s flat Adirondack chair in a recent project and says she was impressed by its comfort, ergonomics and durability. A Buy Side editor also shared her love letter to her own Loll Designs dining table, which comes in three sizes.
A balcony bistro set
Cervoni calls the Wren Outdoor Bistro Set “West Elm’s answer to the classic bistro set—but with sturdier chairs.” She notes that the three-piece set is excellent for small spaces, and is a good choice for places with wind uplift risk, like many of her clients have in New York City. West Elm recommends using an outdoor cover during inclement weather or seasonally.
Indestructible outdoor furniture
Another brand that came recommended multiple times was Polywood, a company that crafts outdoor furnishings in Syracuse, Ind., from recycled high-density polyethylene, a durable plastic. I’ve owned Polywood Adirondack chairs for nearly a decade—and they still look nearly new. A fellow writer shared valuable intel about polyethylene “wood” furniture with me: “I splurged for pricier Room & Board ones for our front porch because I wanted navy, and honestly they are no better than the Target ones I own,” she revealed. One word of caution: My mother placed some white Polywood chairs under a tree whose berries stained the crevices of the textured plastic. The brand’s simple, armless chairs are sturdy, supporting up to 350 pounds and its Studio Parsons Dining Table measures 64 inches long.
Perfect small-space sofa
“It can be hard to find more compact outdoor seating, but this love seat set from Houe is perfect for a small city garden,” says Susan Nock, a Boston-based garden designer. “It has a contemporary minimalist design, which I appreciate, but it is also comfortable with built-in Sunbrella cushions that are available in multiple colors.”
Elegant and efficient sectional
“I like using metal-framed furniture when possible as it just holds up so much better,” says Cervoni. For her New York City clients, Cervoni often chooses a sectional sofa from Pottery Barn. “I like the Malibu and Indio lines because they’re space-savvy,” she adds. Both are available in multiple configurations and cushion choices.
Simple steel plus texture
Molly Sedlacek, founder of ORCA, a landscape design studio based in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, often uses her own simple wood furniture designs in her gardens. But when she shops retail, she says, “I love the simplicity of steel frame furniture with interesting textural materials for the surfaces, whether that be the seating material or a table top made from stone or ceramic.” Ferm Living’s steel-frame Desert sofa and tiled Flod coffee table fit her criteria.
’70s-inspired outdoor seating
“We love this lounge sofa because it makes the garden feel like a welcoming outdoor living space,” says Kuljian. Of the Gaspard Sofa’s off-white upholstery, she notes, “Don’t be afraid to go light: Outdoor fabric is easy to clean.” (If you’re not quite persuaded, the sofa also comes in a printed fabric.) Kuljian suggests you could pair it with Soho Home’s similar-but-not-matching Elias Armchairs.
A fresh spin on wicker
For someone who wants to contrast another material with their metal or wrought iron, Jordan Winston and Tate Casper, the co-founders of Oxford Design Studio in Tampa, Fla., suggest the Newport rattan collection from Summer Classics with its Coastal Wicker Sofa. “This collection combines the natural appeal of bamboo with the durability of resin wicker,” says Winston. “The UV resistance and rain durability make it suitable for various weather conditions, ensuring longevity and low maintenance,” Casper adds. The collection also includes a lounge chair and even a wicker recliner.
Versatile lounge chair
Another small-space-friendly piece Cervoni recommends is the Slope Indoor/Outdoor chairs from West Elm. “They are great for pairing with a sofa when space is tight or you don’t want to be too matchy-matchy,” she says of the all-weather wicker and powder-coated stainless steel chairs. “They’re also good for a smaller patio with a side table in between.”
Next-level teak furnishings
If teak patio furniture is what you’re after, Cervani says, “I can’t say enough good things about Jenni Kayne Home’s collection: They have beautiful profiles and smart cushion color offerings; it’s not cheap, but it is solidly built.” Cervoni is especially fond of the Vista Collection, including a sofa and matching side chairs.
Sleek and colorful dining set
“This dining set from Houe has modern clean lines and it is super practical and lightweight,” says Nock of the Danish design brand’s Four Outdoor Dining Table and Click Outdoor Dining Chairs. “You can choose the color of the slats, which makes it a great choice for locations where cushions are not practical but you still want a pop of color,” she adds.
The mid-century-esque sofa
“For an outdoor sofa, I love this Ethnicraft Jack two-seater sofa,” says Jarema Osofsky, a landscape designer at Dirt Queen NYC and author of “Moon Garden.” “Its subtle and lean silhouette truly blends into and harmonizes with the landscape.” It is available in teak, stained teak and aluminum frames.
French furniture everyone loves
When it comes to dining furniture, one brand came up over and over again: Fermob. For something a touch traditional, Osofsky likes Fermob’s Opera+ collection with its Oval Dining Table and Side Chairs. “It’s all the things that we love about Fermob—the color, durability—mixed with a nod to classical, vintage wrought iron patio furniture,” she says.Fermob is best known for its iconic bistro set; the French company’s more substantial Luxembourg collection, which includes a splayed leg Dining Table and matching chairs is a favorite of both Bennett and Kuljian, who describe it as “a beautiful but light touch for the outdoor dining experience that is just so functional.” Made of steel and aluminum, the brand notes it should be stored during long periods of inclement weather.
Transitional teak for every style
“I always love using teak in the garden, as it weathers to such a soft gray color that complements the plantings,” says Nock. She recommends this five-piece Kingsley Bates dining set with a round table. “This smaller size is very versatile and its transitional style can work well in a more contemporary space but also in a more traditional one.” Nock also notes the table accommodates an umbrella and you can purchase cushions in various colors to coordinate with your decor.
Table fit for entertaining
“This dining table is so beautiful in its simple elegance,” says Kuljian of the Eos Extension Dining Table. Entertainers take note: The table extends to fit up to 12 guests via extensions that are stored within the table. Kuljian and Bennett suggest pairing the EOS table with Knoll’s 1966 Collection Dining Side Chair, also available at Design Within Reach.
Economical metal dining chairs
“For a dinner party of six or more, the costs quickly add up,” says Osofsky. “These Blu Dot Hot Mesh chairs are an attractive, reasonably-priced solution.” Available in eight colors, the stackable chairs are “well-made and quite comfy too.”
Quality cover-ups
If you’d like to further protect your outdoor furnishings investment, Covers & All, offers durable toppers that are custom made to your measurements. One of Buy Side’s editors bought a Covers & All Custom L-Shape cover for her cushioned sectional and found it provided full protection from rain, snow, wind and hail the past two winters. You simply put your measurements into the site’s digital form, follow the prompt to submit a snapshot of your piece(s), and select your desired features. Choices include style of tie-downs and weighted grommets as well as attractive basic colors (we like the blue).
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