The Best Outdoor Furniture Pieces

Greg Stevens

If you thought there was no such thing as sophisticated outdoor furniture, then it’s time to think again. The market is filled with beautiful outdoor-friendly sofas, chairs, tables, and more—you just have to know which features to look for and how to find the ultimate balance between style and strength.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, durability is crucial, says Benoist F. Drut, owner and director of Maison Gerard. “I marine-treat woods, such as plywood, teak, resin, and fiberglass, as they are going to be the best at withstanding the elements,” he says.

You should also check that the upholstery on your outdoor furniture is weatherproof, since the wrong pillows can spoil a perfectly good piece, says Anne Massie of McKinnon and Harris. “Make sure that cushions are made for the outdoors,” says Massie. “Polyfill foam belongs in your living room, not on your terrace. It holds moisture like a sponge, inviting mildew and degrading quickly. Look for quick draining reticulated foam that holds its shape instead.”

Searching for some inspiration to jumpstart your future patio’s design landscape? We searched high and low to round up our favorite outdoor furniture pieces that you can shop right now. From mid-century-inspired chairs to deck-friendly sectionals, these options are perfect for those who want to transform their backyard into an extension of their living room. And believe us—these pieces are good-looking enough to use indoors, but sturdy enough to weather any storm.


Martha Stewart “Chandler” 4-Piece Conversation Set

Courtesy of Overstock


Made with entertaining in mind, this outdoor set is perfect for seating a crowd. The conversation set comes with one sofa, two club chairs with seat cushions, four throw pillows, and one coffee table. An added bonus? Each piece is resistant to fading, since the resin wicker is UV protected for up to 2,000 hours.


Serena & Lily Salt Creek Bar Stool

Courtesy of Serena & Lily


We love this bar stool for several reasons, namely its coastal-inspired style. It has sailing rope and handwoven features incorporated into the design, and the cushion adds a comfortable finishing touch with its all-weather foam and a polyester filling.


Martha Stewart “Monarch” 7-Piece Dining Set

Courtesy of Overstock


Hosting an outdoor dinner party with your close friends? Then you’ll want to consider adding this seven-piece dining set to your backyard. It has six armrest chairs and a modern table to match. The set is designed with dark resin wicker, and the seating comes with comfortable, weather-resistant Sunbrella cushions.


Serena & Lily Springwood Hanging Daybed

Courtesy of Serena & Lily


The big, comfortable bolster pillows and durable resin and aluminum frame make this daybed ideal for outdoor lounging. The bed is crafted with Sunbrella performance fabric, which is resistant to fading, water, and mildew.


Martha Stewart “Monroe” 2-Piece Sectional Set

Courtesy of Overstock


This two-piece sectional set is just what you need for outdoor relaxation. It comes with a pair of striped throw pillows, a left armrest lounge chair, and a right armrest loveseat. The sectional is crafted with brushed aluminum and weather-proof olefin cushion fabric, all made for long-lasting wear.


Huntington All-Weather Wicker Papasan Swivel Chair

Courtesy of Pottery Barn


While there are several perks to this chair, one of our favorites is its swivel design. It can rotate a full 360 degrees without rocking or tipping. Plus, it’s a comfortable seating option for your backyard: It features two back pillows and a seat cushion, which are water resistant and come with polyester canvas slipcovers.


Best Choice Products 4-Piece Outdoor Rope Wicker Patio Conversation Set

Courtesy of Amazon


If you love hosting, then this chic, four-piece patio conversation set is a must-have. It comes with two single chairs and a loveseat for ample seating, along with a stunning open-weave wicker design for a touch of bohemian style.


Pottery Barn “Encinitas” All-Weather Wicker Lounge Chair

Courtesy of Pottery Barn


This “S” chair makes a statement in any outdoor space. The wicker lounge chair has a sculptural look, thanks to its signature curved design. Skilled artisans made the handwoven, weather-resistant chairs, which are also crafted with an iron frame.


West Elm “Cecilia” Outdoor Round Side Table

Courtesy of West Elm


This sturdy side table doesn’t skimp on style, thanks to its textured sides and a smooth top. And while this piece has a cement frame, it’s surprisingly lightweight and easy to move around your outdoor setup.


Crate & Barrel “Crest” Outdoor Garden Stool Side Table

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel


If you want to add an art-inspired piece to your outdoor space, this side table is for you. While it has the appearance of carved stone, it is actually made from polyester resin, crushed stone, and fiberglass that’s ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It has a sculptural finish, thanks to the geometric design.


Williams Sonoma “Larnaca” Outdoor Teak Bar Cart

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma


Perfect for outdoor entertaining, the Williams Sonoma “Larnaca” Outdoor Teak Bar Cart will allow you to serve up your signature cocktails in modern fashion. The mobile cart has a sleek teak build, was handmade by skilled artisans, and repels and withstands wet, moist weather.


Isola Outdoor Kitchen Collection in Natural Teak

Courtesy of Frontgate


With a sustainably harvested, natural teak construction, this stunning, durable kitchen collection is just what you need to complete your outdoor living room. The material is resistant to mildew, so moist, humid temperatures won’t cause damage over time. Plus, you can shop up to five different cabinet styles—including options with open shelves or all-weather wicker doors—that work for a myriad of organization needs.


Article “Svelti” Chair

Courtesy of Article


In the market for mid-century modern outdoor seating that won’t break your budget? Look to these affordable chairs, which are composed of molded polypropylene that is both water and UV resistant (which means they’re safe to place outdoors).


West Elm “Portside” Outdoor Five-Piece U-Shaped Sectional

Courtesy of West Elm


If you’re a fan of farmhouse-style furniture, we have the perfect outdoor sofa for you. This sectional features a solid wood frame with a wire-brushed finish; it brings rustic charm to any backyard setting.


Article “Zina” Dining Chairs

Courtesy of Article


Looking to add a pop of color to your outdoor entertaining space? Surround your table with a few of these cheerful chairs—or go bold and alternate two shades. No matter what you decide, these pieces are simple to store and maintain: They are stackable and easy to clean (just wipe them down with a damp cloth).


Anthropologie “Capri” Striped Indoor/Outdoor Bistro Chair

Courtesy of Anthropologie


These chairs were designed to reflect casual al fresco dining and are explicitly designated for outdoor and indoor use—which means your patio entertaining space will look as chic as your interior living room.


Opalhouse Southport Patio Loveseat

Courtesy of Target


Cozy up on this woven, low-slung loveseat, complete with a natural jute finish that melds with just about any décor style. The white steel frame serves as the perfect contrast against the beige wicker.


West Elm “Wren” Outdoor Bistro Table

Courtesy of West Elm


Channel the vibe at your favorite sidewalk café when decorating your outdoor space. This mint-hued table puts a contemporary spin on those classic Parisian-inspired fold-up tables.


HAY Élémentaire Side Chair

Courtesy of HAY


Nothing elevates or modernizes an outdoor area faster than furniture with clean lines. HAY’s shapely side chair is crafted from UV-resistant polypropylene and won’t break the bank.


West Elm Huron Outdoor Sofa

Courtesy of West Elm


Searching for a laidback outdoor sofa to channel your inner bohemian? This option from West Elm features an aluminum frame wrapped in all-weather handwoven cord and three plush but waterproof cushions that ensure it’s every bit as comfortable as it is eclectic.


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