The Best Patio Furniture for Your Outdoor Space

• Modular pieces can stand alone
• Made of long-lasting, high-quality materials

• Pricey, unless you can snag it on sale
• The teak coloring can fade unless this furniture set is covered periodically

Arhaus is Esquire’s favorite store for patio furniture. The design is innovative and made out of materials that are meant to survive the elements. The Beaumont Modular Sofa caught my eye when I was browsing. It looks like the kind of couch you would find at the White Lotus in Taormina. If you want to pretend that your home is a sprawling palazzo while you sip spritzes outside this summer, then this is the sofa set for you.

As someone who is perpetually thinking about small spaces and the flexibility of furniture, I also love this set because it’s modular. This sofa could be a sofa, or a loveseat and an armchair, or three armchairs. It can transform based on the occasion and need. Plus, it’s made out of the best material for patio furniture: natural teak. It’s moisture-resistant and can even keep the bugs (somewhat) at bay. The cushions also have a mesh bottom, so they won’t be water-logged after an unexpected downpour. That said, I recommend keeping this set covered when not in use, so the teak color doesn’t naturally fade.

• Entirely modular, so it’s easy to rearrange
• Timeless design

• Requires a larger outdoor space
• Expensive, unless you can catch it on sale

When my friends ask me where to buy patio furniture, I always recommend Outer. This DTC brand uses naturally durable materials, like aluminum and teak hardwood, and the cushions are coated with the same material used on camping gear, so they are more resistant to fading. The patio furniture covers, called OuterShell, are ingenious, because they are already attached at the back of each chair cushion. If it starts raining, you just need to unroll the cover over both cushions and secure it. It’s much better than trying to fling a huge cover over a large sofa. Outer is still pricey, but for the longevity it promises, I think it’s worth it.

This particular set caught my eye, because—you guessed it—it’s modular. The sofa and the chairs can be pushed together to create a massive sectional. It’s an investment set, for sure, but if you like to host outside in the summer, it’s a worthy upgrade.

• Under $120
• Great for small spaces

• Requires assembly
• Not the best quality

If you do not want to spend thousands of dollars on patio furniture, I totally get it. Maybe you don’t know how often you’ll use your patio or you have a small balcony that definitely can’t fit more than two small chairs and a table. For that, I offer up this Amazon solution.

I found this patio set on Amazon a few years ago and noticed that, beginning in March, thousands of shoppers were buying it each month. It includes two chairs and a tempered glass table. It looks like pretty basic patio furniture, but for the price of $120 (and honestly, it’s often on sale for $90), it’s a great deal. The reviews are relatively positive, though some reviewers say that it’s a bit difficult to figure out how to put it together, which is typical of cheap big retailers. I wouldn’t have high expectations for this set, but it’ll get the job done.

• Durable and easy to clean
• Simple yet stylish

• Likely not the most comfortable seat
• Some assembly required

A lot of patio furniture is black or beige, which honestly, I find a bit boring. I love a good pop of color—not like neon, though—and Danish design company HAY always has some fun modern pieces. This Palissade set combines both nostalgia and sophistication with its curved edges and clean lines. It’s reminiscent of picnics in the park, but instead of having to be jammed in between sweaty classmates on a bench, you can have an elegant evening on the patio. This set also gives you a choice of different seating options: benches, side chairs, arm chairs, or a combination of side chairs and arm chairs. As for colors, I recommend the Olive or the Iron Red colorways to add some personality to your outdoor space.

This is one of the more low-maintenance patio sets on the list, because there are no cushions or fabrics involved. You don’t have to scramble outside to cover anything, which is a major benefit in my opinion. That said, sitting on cushion-less chairs for many hours might not be fun.

• Industrial-inspired design
• Shoppers can choose from different arrangements
• Long chaise for stretching out

• A large outdoor space is necessary
• Some assembly is required
• This sofa is low to the ground, which some might not enjoy

Article is known for making high-quality furniture at relatively affordable prices, and this patio set is no exception. It comes with a sectional, which includes a chaise, and a square coffee table that tucks right into the sectional, like Tetris. If you’re looking to upgrade your cheap, starter patio set, this is a good medium-budget option. It feels sophisticated yet inviting. This is a great set for those who accidentally want to fall asleep in the sun with a book on their chest.

The Lubek set does require a little bit of upkeep—acacia wood should be cleaned with a damp cloth regularly and occasionally oiled and sealed. You should definitely invest in a set of patio furniture covers to protect it from the elements.

• Timeless, natural design
• Choice between bench, chairs, or a combination of the two
• 45-day free trial

• Need ample outdoor space
• Some assembly is required
• Reviewers recommend treating the wood with oils

If dining alfresco is your entire personality during warmer weather, this Haven dining set from neighbor will serve you well. Neighbor is a trendy outdoor furniture brand, known for making stylish dining and lounge pieces that you’ll actually want to show off.

This dining table can seat roughly 7-8 people. It includes five chairs and a bench that looks like it could seat 2-3 guests. It’s a dining set that just screams “themed dinner parties,” and reviewers agree that the seats are comfy, so you can sit outside for hours without awkwardly shifting side to side. The main thing you should keep in mind is that unfinished teak will change colors over time. It starts off as a honey gold and will fade to a silvery gray patina. The table will also show wear if you don’t treat or seal the wood.

• Affordable
• Traditional design
• Small patio friendly

• Some assembly is required
• Reviewers recommend treating the wood for longevity
• You never know what experience you’re going to get with Wayfair shipping

Wayfair has plenty of affordable patio furniture pieces of all sizes. That said, you do have to dig more to find ones that aren’t going to fall apart in a year. Luckily for you, I have a lot of experience combing through Wayfair’s site to find the gems. I consider this acacia wood loveseat and table set one of them. The recessed arms give the loveseat almost a vintage vibe. It’s ideally for small spaces and for 1-2 people to catch some rays.

Reviewers say this set is easy to assemble, but I want to note that some Wayfair pieces I’ve put together in under an hour and others have required my boyfriend and I to puzzle over for eight hours. I would err on the side of caution and assume it’ll take more time than you think.

• Lavish Rome-inspired design
• Ideal for outdoor entertaining

• Marble is porous, so the table should be covered when not in use.
• Upholstery on the chairs needs to be professionally cleaned and covered.
• Pricey, unless you snag it on sale

If wicker and metal frames are not your thing, might I suggest going full-blown outdoor opulence? Soho Home has plenty of beautiful options to choose from—just take this stunning carrara marble table. I didn’t even know marble outdoor tables existed. You can pair it with 5-6 of the Morrell Outdoor Dining Chair in Linen Sage, which look comfy. Even though it doesn’t look like a chair you’d find in the elements, it is outdoor-safe.

To protect your investment, you should cover these tables and chairs. You’ll also have to be careful with spills on the marble and wipe it up immediately with a non-abrasive cleaner. Strong cleaning products can damage the sealed marble over time.

• Mid-century-modern-inspired
• Made with good-quality teak
• A built-in table

• Burrow products tend to come in one hundred boxes
• Some assembly is required
• Reviewers say seat cushions are very firm, which some might not enjoy

Burrow, one of the OG internet furniture companies, is one of my favorites, because it combines practicality and sleek design. As you might have guessed, I like furniture that has some flexibility. The Dunes corner sectional comes in several different configurations. I also enjoy the corner design, because it uses space effectively. It’s not shown well in the pictures, but there is a little table nestled between the single armchair and loveseat for drinks and snacks. Reviewers say the cushions dry quickly after the rain but recommend treating the teak wood.

This sectional set is also made to be stored easily once the warm weather ends—you just need to unscrew the legs and fold down the backs. So your patio set won’t be taking up half of your garage or basement.

• Airy modern coastal design

• Cushions should be stored inside and furniture should be covered during inclement weather
• Coffee table and sofa frame should be cleaned with mild cleaners—nothing abrasive

Lulu and Georgia makes trendy outdoor furniture that you’d definitely find in the latest Nancy Meyers movie or at a swanky beach house. I sifted through its newest offerings and found this exclusive collection by Sarah Sherman Samuel. The sofa and coffee table combo would look right at home next to a pristine pool. The white fabric contrasted with the black metal frames, making it look breezy but grounded. It looks comfy, too.

That said, these are not low-maintenance patio furniture pieces. You will be running outside to bring cushions all summer long, so you have to decide whether that’s worth it.

The most important factor when shopping for patio furniture online is material. Teak is the best wood, because it is the most weather-resistant. Acacia is likely the second best type of wood, but teak is superior. Teak furniture will cost more than acacia and other woods, but it is worth it. All wooden patio furniture you buy should be treated with oil or a sealant to keep it from cracking or degrading. Aluminum and metal are also good materials to consider, but ensure that they’re powder-coated or rust-proof.

Otherwise, when I made this list, I considered brands that I knew from personal experience made high-quality patio furniture. From there, I took the size of spaces and design style into consideration to ensure there was a wide enough variety for Esquire readers.