With the warmer weather finally descending, many have begun taking to the outdoors. If you’re one of the many busily preparing your backyard for the upcoming summer season and have been thinking of refreshing your space with new outdoor patio furniture, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re looking to create a cozy retreat or a stylish entertaining area, the right furniture can make all the difference. From classic wooden elements to innovative elements to enhance comfort and ambiance, we’ve curated a list of the best options to suit every style and need.
Let’s dive into ten outdoor patio furniture ideas, and find the one that perfectly complements your vision!
1. Classic Wooden Elegance
Wooden patio furniture exudes timeless charm and durability, making it a popular choice for outdoor settings. With a wide variety to choose from, wooden furniture is capable of complementing a range of aesthetics, from a cozy rustic retreat to a sleek, modern escape.
Here are some of the most popular types of wooden furniture:
- Teak: This tropic hardwood is known for its exceptional durability and natural resistance to the elements, making it particularly suitable for outdoor patio furniture. Teak has naturally occurring oils, which help repel water and prevent decay, making it a great long-term investment.
- Cedar: Another popular option, cedar is both lightweight and durable, being naturally resistant to rot and insect damage. However, being a softwood, cedar is more susceptible to scratches and dents than hardwood varieties.
Wooden furniture not only adds natural beauty to your space, but ages gracefully, developing a slight darkening in color over time.
2. Stylish Wicker and Rattan
Wicker and rattan furniture are popular backyard furniture options, offering a classic appeal to any space with their intricate designs. With their lightweight yet durable design, wicker and rattan furniture is perfect for those who love switching up the layout of their space on a whim!
- Wicker: Made from woven synthetic fibers, not only is this type of furniture exceptionally lightweight but also weather-resistant and easy to clean.
- Rattan: With their bold textures and warm colors, rattan furniture is perfect for creating a space with tropical undertones. This versatile material can take many forms, being woven into a wide array of patterns and designs to bring any space to life.
Both wicker and rattan are available in a variety of colors and styles, pairing well with plush cushions for added comfort. Best of all, they’re capable of withstanding the outdoor elements with minimal maintenance.
3. Sleek Metal Designs
If you’re looking for outdoor patio furniture that’s a bit more modern and offers a sleek visual appeal, metal furniture is likely your best choice. Not only does this material have the most stunning finishes, but it’s highly durable, making it a great outdoor material.
Here are some of the most common types of metals you’ll find in outdoor furniture:
- Aluminum: If you’re worried metal would be susceptible to rust, aluminum has you covered. Being both lightweight and rust-resistant, aluminum offers exceptional longevity and durability, without compromising on flexibility when you want to rearrange your space.
- Steel: For something that offers ample choice, steel is your go-to. Coming in a variety of finishes, finding steel patio furniture to complement your space won’t be difficult. It’s also exceptionally strong, easily resisting wear and tear.
- Wrought Iron: Known for its intricate designs and classic appeal, wrought iron is easily one of the most recognized outdoor patio furniture materials. This furniture is extremely stable and long-lasting but is heavier than many other types of metals.
Metal furniture is popular in large part due to its longevity and low maintenance requirements.
4. Comfortable Outdoor Sofas
If you plan on spending plenty of time socializing on your patio this summer, cushioned-lined sofas are a must-have. They transform your space into a cozy paradise and can easily be paired with various other elements to enhance your space with ease.
- Sectionals: Whether you have a larger space or a unique design, sectionals can help make the most of it. Offering versatile configurations, these sofas are able to complement a range of spaces, while maximizing seating options.
- Deep-Seated Sofas: Adorned with overstuffed cushions and spacious seating, these chairs provide the ultimate comfort.
Many of these sofas are designed using weather-resistant materials, like resin wicker and water-resistant fabric, ensuring durability against the outdoor elements while offering indoor-level comfort.
5. Functional Dining Sets
Outdoor dining sets are essential for hosting gatherings and enjoying meals alfresco. If you enjoy hosting events for family and friends, adding a dining set to your outdoor space is a non-negotiable.
With so many varieties, there are plenty of options to choose from, each offering its own benefits to complement your individual needs.
- Glass-Table Tops: These tables usually have wooden or steel framing and legs, but feature a durable glass top. Not only do these tables add a dose of elegance to your space, but they make cleaning spills particularly easy, making them a popular option for families with children.
- Aluminum Tables: These tables, such as those from Ebel Incorporated, are often powder-coated to increase their resistance to rust while offering a variety of beautiful finishes to complement a range of spaces. These tables are also a great option for those who need furniture that easily withstands the wear and tear of kids, since dropped food or spilled liquids won’t mar its finish, unlike with wooden tables.
If a dining table is on your list of backyard updates, choose a set that both complements your outdoor aesthetic, while also supporting your lifestyle. For extra flexibility, consider investing in tables that can extend to welcome additional guests when needed.
6. Relaxing Hammocks and Swings
Moving past socialization features and into pure relaxation, hammocks and swings are perfect additions to make solo time outside particularly blissful.
- Hammocks: If you have an open space you’re unsure what to do with, adding a hammock may be just the thing. Many come with durable frames to provide ample support, making them effortless to set up and enjoy all season long.
- Hammock Chairs: Like the idea of a hammock but don’t have the space? Hammock chairs can provide the same comfort without a large footprint. These chairs often hang from an arched frame, adding a modern, elegant twist to your space while promising exceptional relaxation.
- Porch Swings: Whether it’s on a deck, patio, or porch, porch swings can add a touch of old-time charm to your space while providing an ultra-relaxing place to settle in for an afternoon.
Hammocks and swings are made from various materials, from classic rope to weather-resistant fabrics, and have durable wood or metal frames, creating the perfect retreat to curl up with a good book, or enjoy with your closest loved one.
7. Multi-Functional Lounge Chairs
Versatile lounge chairs are essential for creating a laid-back outdoor ambiance that can easily adjust to changing needs.
- Adjustable Recliners: Often made from wood, adjustable recliners allow for customizable comfort, perfect for sunbathing, gazing up at the stars after dark, or watching the kids as they play in the backyard.
- Folding Chaise Lounges: If you’re working with a smaller space, opting for folding chairs can be the space-saving solution you need. These chairs can easily be tucked away when not in use, making the most of the valuable free space.
Being made of wood, these chairs may require some upkeep to maintain their weather resistance, however, this can change from manufacturer to manufacturer. To maximize their longevity, pair them with weather-resistant pillows or cushions.
8. Space-Saving Bistro Sets
Another solution for those with smaller patios, bistro sets are the perfect way to add some functional sophistication without requiring ample floor space.
- Wrought Iron: Easily the most popular option for a classic European aesthetic, wrought iron bistro sets are popular options. With their ultra-durable design and heavy weight, they easily withstand the elements.
- Bar-height Sets: If you like the idea of an elevated dining experience, opting for a slightly taller table and raised chairs is the perfect solution. These sets offer added elegance with their longer legs, and come in a wide array of materials, from sleek aluminum to textured wood for a more rustic appeal.
9. Innovative Fire Tables
Moving away from traditional outdoor patio furniture, fire tables have become popular backyard additions, adding both ambiance and entertainment for the kids. Whether it’s roasting marshmallows for an “at-home” camping experience, or stepping outside for a romantic evening with your loved one, fire tables offer something for everyone.
- Round Tables With Offset Burner: Perfect for those who have smaller spaces, a round fire table featuring an offset burner makes every inch count. Unlike other tables where the burner is directly in the middle, these tables have their burner pushed off-center, offering a larger space on one side to set down drinks or s’more-making essentials!
- Fire Tables with Fire Glass: Fire glass lets you customize your table with unique colors, allowing you to truly make it your own and reflect your chosen aesthetic. As you fire up your table, flames will break through the gloss, setting them sparkling, for a visual spectacle to further add to your backyard ambiance.
Many fire tables use propane to power their flames, but there are some that include optional natural gas hookups. Propane models maximize flexibility, allowing you to easily move your table wherever you desire, however, natural gas may offer some cost savings over time.
Consider both options and which one would be best for you as you explore the fire tables available.
10. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Furniture
Over the last few years, a number of eco-friendly options have begun making big waves in the market, with Poly Lumber leading the way.
Poly lumber is made using recycled materials, with Breezesta manufacturers explaining they use petroleum-based milk jugs and water bottles to create the study poly lumber they use for their outdoor patio furniture.
Not only does this create ultra-sustainable pieces of furniture, resistant to the wear and tear, fading, rust and splitting you’d find over time in alternative materials. It’s also incredibly easy to maintain and clean!
Furthermore, due to its makeup, poly lumber itself is usually recyclable, only increasing its eco-friendliness!
Bring Your Backyard To Life With Outdoor Patio Furniture From Bemister’s!
Step into the summer season with the backyard of your dreams.
Alongside the team at Bemister’s Pool & Patio, you’ll find everything you need to refresh your space, from tables and chairs to eco-friendly furniture to create a space that rivals the one you’ve dreamed up!
We carry a wide range of outdoor patio furniture from a number of manufacturers, ensuring everyone who walks through our doors can find pieces that effortlessly complement their style.
Visit one of our three locations across New Hampshire, from Salam and Litchfield to Hampton. Let’s breathe new life into your backyard, and make this summer the most relaxing one yet!
