Transforming your patio, backyard, or porch with the right furniture can turn your outdoor space into a year-round oasis. We dedicated over 50 hours to assembling, testing, and researching various patio furniture options in a range of climates.
Our goal was to find the best choices for different setups, including an all-season faux-wood dining table, a modern wood-and-metal dining table, a classic wrought-iron steel dining set, a sleek outdoor sofa, a stylish lounger, and a chic teak sofa.
Additionally, we guide you through key considerations for buying outdoor furniture, ensuring you can make the best choice even if our recommendations don’t match your style or are unavailable.
When selecting outdoor furniture, aesthetics and home style often take center stage. However, it's crucial to consider how well the materials will endure over time and the level of maintenance you're willing to invest. Some materials, like wood, demand regular upkeep to maintain their appearance, while others can withstand the elements with little to no care. In colder, wetter climates, issues like rot and rust become significant concerns, making resin-wicker and plastic-resin constructions more practical choices unless you're prepared for the ongoing maintenance required by wood and metal.
Wood
Wooden outdoor furniture is beloved for its natural beauty and timeless appeal. However, it typically requires more upkeep than furniture made from other materials. Teak is widely regarded as the gold standard for outdoor wood furniture. According to experts, a well-crafted teak piece can last for decades, but it's essential to choose high-quality teak. Teak is categorized into three grades—A, B, and C—with only grade A being truly weather-resistant without needing regular protective treatments. Other tropical hardwoods like ipe are also highly praised for outdoor use. Meanwhile, acacia is a more affordable option due to its abundance, though it may not offer the same durability as teak.
Wood generally demands the most maintenance among outdoor furniture materials. "Rain and moisture cause wood to swell and shrink, and UV rays can be particularly harsh," says landscape designer Maggie Lobl. Regular cleaning with a mild soapy solution is recommended, though often a small hand brush will suffice for removing debris. Covering wood furniture with a waterproof cover before rain or snow will help extend its life. Depending on exposure to the elements, you may need to sand and stain or oil the pieces annually or every few years. Alternatively, you can let hardwoods weather naturally to a silvery gray.
Metal
While wood struggles with rot, metal is susceptible to rust and corrosion. Metal dining sets and sofa frames are commonly made from steel, cast aluminum, or stainless steel. Most metal furniture is treated with rust-resistant coatings, and rust typically forms in areas where moisture pools or evaporates slowly, such as the underside of chairs and tables. It's advisable to look for sets with stainless steel screws and hardware for added protection.
For regular cleaning, a mild soapy solution—such as 1 tablespoon of dish soap to 1 gallon of water—works well. Hosing off the furniture after removing cushions is also effective. If rust appears, you can usually remove it with sandpaper or steel wool, and repainting is an option. Many people find success using Rust-Oleum products for this purpose. Cast aluminum is currently the most popular choice for outdoor metal furniture due to its lightweight, strength, and ease of maintenance.
Resin Wicker
Resin wicker, often referred to as "all-weather wicker," has become increasingly popular as a modern alternative to traditional wicker furniture. Unlike natural wicker materials like willow or rattan, today's resin wicker is typically made from high-density polyethylene, which is more durable and resistant to unraveling than cheaper PVC alternatives. Resin wicker furniture is lightweight, stain- and UV-resistant, and highly durable, making it a practical choice for various outdoor settings.
One of the main reasons for resin wicker's popularity is its low maintenance. A simple wipe down with a damp cloth or a hose-off for tougher jobs is usually sufficient. Although resin wicker can withstand the elements, it's still advisable to cover the furniture when not in use to protect it from UV damage, which can eventually lead to deterioration.
Plastic Resin
Plastic resin furniture is another low-maintenance option that doesn't rust, warp, or rot like other materials. Cleaning is straightforward and typically requires just a quick spray and wipe with an all-purpose cleaner or a hose-down for a more thorough cleaning. For tougher stains or mildew, a cleaning paste made from water and baking soda or a melamine foam sponge can be effective. Like resin wicker, plastic resin is prone to becoming brittle with excessive UV exposure, so keeping the furniture in a shaded area will help extend its life.
How to Select
Selecting outdoor furniture goes beyond simply finding something that looks appealing in a store or online. Choosing the wrong size table or chairs—especially if they have feet that snag in the grooves of your deck—could leave you frustrated and ready to return the set. The following guidelines are designed to help you make a more informed decision and steer clear of buyer’s remorse.
Begin by assessing the shape and size of the outdoor area where you plan to place your new furniture. Just like arranging furniture in an interior room, it’s important to create a balanced and proportional layout in your outdoor space. For instance, placing a long rectangular table on a small square deck or balcony can make the area feel cramped and awkward, potentially leading to damage to nearby garden or patio features as people move around. On the other hand, placing a small, round dining set in a large, open space can make the furniture seem isolated, losing the sense of communal intimacy that a dining area should convey.
To better understand the relationship between scale, accessibility, and intimacy in a patio or outdoor space, we recommend exploring landscape designer Lauren Dunec Hoang’s photographic references.
Visual Weight and Space Considerations
As highlighted in our dining table guide, the "visual weight" of a piece of furniture significantly impacts whether it appears appropriately sized for its surroundings. This principle, often employed by interior designers, is just as relevant outdoors. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 36 inches between the table and any wall, tree, or other obstacle that might hinder access. In addition to taking measurements, it’s helpful to take a photograph from a high vantage point of your outdoor area. This can serve as a quick visual reference while shopping, reducing guesswork. Using painter's tape to outline the footprint of a patio dining set or sofa can also be invaluable for visualizing how the furniture will fit in the space.
Assessing Your Patio or Yard Surface
The legs of your furniture need to be compatible with the surface where they’ll be placed. A poor combination can range from being a minor annoyance to a potential safety hazard. For instance, placing a long wooden bench or sofa on decomposed gravel can create a messy situation (as we’ve experienced firsthand), while thin-legged wrought iron chairs can get stuck between deck boards or sink into soft soil. We found that one dining set we tested, the Mercury Row Nikoleta, worked well on a smooth concrete patio or wood deck. However, when placed on tiled concrete pavers, the chair legs frequently caught in the gaps, leading to some awkward moments at the table. If your surface isn’t perfectly flat, opt for furniture with wide feet and adjustable levelers to accommodate uneven ground.
Choosing the Right Seating
Many people envision hosting backyard barbecues, summer brunches, and other gatherings, so it's essential to decide how many people you plan to accommodate regularly, while also considering space limitations. If you often host larger groups, dining sets with bench seating can be a more flexible option, comfortably fitting six to eight people. Bench-style seating tends to be more informal and fun, especially for children—our editor-in-chief notes that he can easily fit four kids on a bench, which isn’t as feasible with regular chairs. The trade-off is the lack of back support, which some guests might miss. However, you can always mix and match by placing chairs at the ends or on one side of a long table and adding a bench on the other side.
Outdoor lounge or conversation sets, modeled after living room couches and sectionals, offer a more relaxed seating arrangement. Although not typically advertised for dining, these cushioned pieces are often found in luxury hotels, where they provide a comfortable spot for guests to eat, drink, and chat for extended periods. They have become increasingly popular in larger backyards, especially for those who prefer informal entertaining.
Tips for Selecting the Right Style
To ensure that your outdoor furniture complements your space, consider the following guidelines:
- Extend Indoor Decor Outdoors: Viewing your outdoor area as an extension of your home can help create a seamless transition between interior and exterior living spaces. Choose outdoor furniture that complements your indoor decor to maintain a cohesive design scheme.
- Incorporate Complementary Elements: Use colors, shapes, and patterns that reflect your outdoor surroundings to create a cohesive theme. For visual harmony, select a color palette that echoes your landscaping or the architecture around you.
- Contrast Surfaces and Materials: Don’t be afraid to mix materials and scales to create visual interest. For example, pairing a metal dining set with an all-wood deck is more dynamic than an all-wood setup. Similarly, contrasting scales can enhance the environment; if your patio is surrounded by tall trees, a wide, low outdoor lounge set can create a more intimate atmosphere while highlighting the natural surroundings.
- Opt for Simplicity: When in doubt, choose simple designs over intricate ones. Simpler furniture often lasts longer as it tends to have fewer components that can break or wear out.
Additional Considerations
If you live in a hot, sunny climate and plan to place a dining set in an open area, consider choosing a set with a pre-drilled hole for an umbrella—especially if you prefer metal furniture. For outdoor seating areas, standalone umbrellas with sturdy bases can provide necessary shade and comfort.
