How to pick the best outdoor furniture at any budget

Savor the outdoors in style

By Megan Barber@megcbarber May 22, 2020, 12:45pm EDT

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A black wire outdoor furniture couch with white pillows sits in front of a fire pit and a pool. — The Breton Black Metal Sofa from CB2 ($799) is a sleek option for patio furniture.

Outdoor spaces in our stay-at-home world are more important than ever before. Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, a bit of fresh air is key to fighting quarantine fatigue.

For many of us, sprucing up our outdoor areas is at the top of the home projects to-do list, but picking out quality furniture can be daunting. In the past, we offered five tips for finding top-flight outdoor furniture. Now, we’re breaking down the best outdoor furniture by material—wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and wicker.

While it’s true that some outdoor furniture can be astronomically expensive—running into thousands of dollars—don’t despair! There are plenty of options for budget-conscious patio dwellers, too. Need even more picks? Don’t miss our favorite affordable outdoor sofas and budget-minded dining sets.

Review our advice and get shopping—the outdoors are calling.

Wood outdoor furniture

Wooden patio furniture is sturdy, long-lasting (if well cared for), and often feels the most like having real furniture outside. It can also be expensive. Look for dense-grained tropical hardwoods—like teak—that are able to resist warping and swelling, or opt for cheaper wood and throw on a cover for protection.

Other popular woods used in outdoor furniture are cedar, pine, and eucalyptus. Be aware that wood furniture often requires staining and oil to maintain its original appearance.

Graywashed Eucalyptus Marciana Outdoor Dining Table

$400

Made from hearty eucalyptus wood and graywashed for a more contemporary look, this dining table has a large surface and stable, U-shaped base. Seal with a outdoor wood furniture finish to ensure it lasts.

$400 at Cost Plus World Market

Regatta Mesh Dining Chair

$381

Crate and Barrel’s Regatta outdoor dining chair uses a wide-slat design of handcrafted, farm-grown teak with UV-resistant white mesh inserts as contrast.

$381 at Crate and Barrel

Olema Teak Lounge Chair

$2,595

Designed David Sutherland uses dramatic angles in a semi-reclined lounge chair made from sustainably harvested, premium Grade-A teak.

$2,595 at Restoration Hardware

Metal patio furniture

Thanks to the steep price tags of wooden outdoor furniture, metal is becoming an increasingly popular choice. Aluminum furniture is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t require much maintenance.

Steel is a heavier option, but both usually need to be coated with a protective finish known as powder coating. The good thing about metal outdoor furniture is there are a lot of options at all price points.

Ainsley Patio 3-Piece Bistro Set

$150

This three-piece bistro set comes in three different colors (navy, white, and red), and is made from powder coated steel. The two chairs can be folded up for easy storage, making this affordable, well-reviewed set a good option for small spaces.

$150 at Wayfair

Breton Black Metal Sofa

$799

This streamlined sofa is made using a black matte powder coated iron frame and topped with plush off-white seat cushions.

$799 at CB2

Marbella Aluminum Dining Table

$1,795

Try out the modern look with this low-slung, rustproof aluminum table that can seat up to ten.

$1,795 at Restoration Hardware

Plastic

Plastic furniture may have a reputation for being flimsy, but new technology proves that it can be a great material for outdoor furniture. Using high-density polyethylene—some of which is recycled from milk cartons or bottles—plastic furniture can be highly durable, doesn’t require painting or sealing, and can be designed to look like almost anything.

Of course, there are still some poor quality plastic products out there, but even low-end furniture can be treated with UV-stabilizing pigments to reduce fading. The best part? Plastic is easy to wipe down and won’t peel like other products.

Reel Black Outdoor Dining Chair

$134

This slatted seat dining chair is made from recycled plastic tops and fast-growing eucalyptus for a sleek, midcentury-inspired look.

$134 at Crate & Barrel

Emmet Lounge Chair

$429

Available in eight colors, these outdoor loungers made of recycled high-density plastic are a modern take on the classic American Adirondack chair.

$429 at Room & Board

Telescope St. Catherine Collection

Made from eco-friendly recycled plastic, this all-weather collection is available in many different colors and finishes. The collection includes everything from coffee tables to sofas.

Patio Living

Fabric

If your dream afternoon involves a couch and some sun, look no further than an outdoor sofa. Usually a blend of wood or powder-coated steel with fabric cushions, outdoor couches offer a level of relaxation that just can’t be matched in a dining room chair. Speciality treated fabrics mean that these gems can hang outside, no matter the weather.

Standish Patio Loveseat

$400

Made with a sturdy, rust-resistant steel and wicker base, this compact loveseat comes with soft gray fabric cushions that are neutral enough to fit most any decor.

$400 at Target

Barra Teak and Metal Sofa

$900

Available in light silver and dark charcoal color options, we love this sofa for its eye-catching contrast between teak and fabric. It’s a fun take on often boring teak furniture, and Sunbrella fabric holds up in tough conditions.

$900 at Crate & Barrel

Cache Outdoor Sofa

This eye-catching outdoor sofa features a tubular aluminum frame that cradles comfy inset cushions upholstered in high-performance Sunbrella fabric. Available in charcoal or tomato.

$3 at Blu Dot

Wicker and rattan

Before you think wicker furniture only belongs at grandma’s house, take a look at this generation’s wicker: It’s sleek, lightweight, and comfortable. Wicker can also be used indoor or outdoors, so it works well on sunrooms and porches.

Outdoor Basket Chair

$399

Designed by Brett Beldock, this faux rattan basket chair provides a deep seat for lounging on a slim, powder coated frame.

$399 at CB2

Dog Days Outdoor 3 Seat Sofa

Available in coal or white linen, this three-seat outdoor couch features backs of all-weather rattan on a tubular aluminum frame. It’s a minimalist look for maximum style.

$2 at Blu Dot

St. Martin Sofa Daybed

$3,395

With an oviod frame inspired by midcentury style, this all-weather wicker day bed features an octagonal weave and plenty of space for lounging.

$3,395 at Restoration Hardware

Rugs

Maybe it’s the pop of color, or maybe it just feels better to have something underfoot, but rugs can tie an outdoor space together. They are made from materials ranging from nylon to polyester to polypropylene, but make sure you find one that is mold and mildew-resistant. Better yet, look for rugs that are treated to resist the harsh exposure to UV rays.

Zoey Chevron Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Machine-woven in Belgium from a durable and stain-resistant synthetic fiber, this low-pile rug uses a modern chevron pattern in blue for a coastal feel.