17 Outdoor Furniture Stores That Will Elevate Your Exterior Design in 2023

Sep 02, 2023

By Yelena Moroz Alpert

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A well-curated backyard is a way to extend your impeccable taste outside, and if all you're working with is crab grass and debris, the best outdoor furniture stores can at least help you make a cosmetic upgrade before any landscaping comes into play. After all, if you spend time and effort fussing about the inside of your house, it's practically a sin to subject your yard to frat-like remnants. Mismatched folding chairs around a fire pit just ain't it.

Thankfully, these days patio furniture is no longer relegated to granny wicker and predictable beige silhouettes parked outside big box retailers. To orchestrate an al fresco-worthy space, look to furniture stores that take outdoor decor seriously. Whether you’re into more industrial powder-coated aluminum pieces or solid teak sets that channel a resort vibe, there's something out there just waiting to be scooped up. A handful of outdoor-focused retailers and D2C disruptors have cropped up during the pandemic, like our top pick below, and even wicker is getting a makeover these days thanks to curvy, inexpensive designs that are anything but geriatric. Here, we've assembled 17 of the best outdoor furniture stores that will make you want to spend every free moment communing with nature.

Best For: Easy-to-assemble, modular, not-like-everyone-else's flatpack designs

Neighbor's a three-year-old company that specializes in everything outdoors. It started with a FSC-certified teak modular sectional in a simple, no-frills silhouette and has since expanded its collection to include new teak offerings and dining sets in powder-coated aluminum. All cushions and rugs are made with recycled Sunbrella fabrics (otherwise known as the best-of-the-best in weatherproofed fabrics for outdoor styles), and the elegant silhouettes are all backed by a limited warranty for defects and material repairs down the line.

Best For: Teak, aluminum, and wicker pieces with built-in protection

Even those of us who intend to get patio furniture covers can fall short with actually protecting these investment pieces. But Outer is one step-ahead. Each sectional comes with a built-in outer shell that protects the cushions when they're not being used—no more hunting for that damn cover (or failing at origami-like folds as you stow it away). The teak pieces are also FSC-certified and the powder-coated aluminum rust-proof for extra longevity in the great outdoors.

Best For: Architectural designs and collaborations

Copenhagen-based company HAY focuses on Danish modern furniture in splashy colors and streamlined silhouettes. Whether you opt for vibrant powder-coated steel or lacquered pine, like its reproduction of the Gerrit Rietveld Crate chair, know that the materials are well-worth the investment. Hay's outdoor mushroom LED lighting and stone-like composite planters are solid choices, too.

Best For: Traditional pieces with a contemporary feel

Beyond serving as wedding registry bait, Crate & Barrel also makes quality furniture with a modern edge, from more industrial materials in matte finishes to cozy classics in neutral palettes. Either way, its bold architectural silhouettes can turn the back of your house into a power patio. And with more than 100 Crate & Barrel stores nationwide, it's easy to swing by and test out the collections in person.

Best For: Museum-worthy, Memphis-y loungers

MoMA's not exactly known for outdoor gear, but it does offer a surprisingly well-stocked collection of loungers, folding chairs, and umbrellas for your backyard, like the tri-tone spaghetti lounge chair we anointed with a Home Award last year and this swervy, scooped-out folding chair for kicking back.

Best For: Stylish accent pieces and conversation-worthy decor

CB2 is the slightly more youthful counterpart to its sister brand (and parent company) Crate & Barrel. It prides itself on exclusive collaborations with celebrities like Lenny Kravitz and interior designers like Ross Cassidy. From cool marble designs to sculptural tables, and a bounty of rattan and travertine, each piece feels luxe without leaning pretentious.

Best For: Affordable-ish, globally-influenced designs with a twist

Instead of boring wicker sectionals, West Elm ups the ante with handwoven all-weather wicker details that look as good in your home as they would at an eco-resort in Mexico. The company prides itself by working with artisans around the world. You’ll also find bold pieces and sculptural designs that can transition between indoor and outdoor spaces depending on the season.

Best For: Substantial style on a budget

Variety is what makes Target's outdoor furniture offerings stand out from other big-box retailers. You can dress your yard with mid-century silhouettes from Project 62 or take it easy with a bohemian Opalhouse egg chair. While you’re at it, pick up outdoor loot like accent pillows, planters, lanterns—and still have money left over to stock up on Pirate Booty.

Best For: Down-to-earth aesthetics and luxurious neutrals

Lulu and Georgia is all about making your home feel cozier, and the sentiment extends to its outdoor furniture collections, which are filled with vintage-esque, earthy pieces with sumptuous texture. In addition to dining sets and lounges, you’ll find teak furniture like sideboards and bar carts that can easily upgrade your terrace.

Best For: High-end outdoor entertaining with architectural flair

When it comes to quality, RH reigns, so it's no wonder it's such a hit among interior designers. Its outdoor collections incorporate high-end materials like sustainable Indonesian teak and architectural lines. For a bit more Brutalist intrigue, check out its concrete tables that pair beautifully with its aluminum-framed chairs.

Best For: Splashy, colorful pieces with plenty of personality

Industry West is all about craftsmanship paired with visual interest. And when it comes to outdoor pieces, chairs are certainly its specialty. You can find a rainbow-hued aluminum dining chair for a Brooklyn backyard, a bistro rattan chair for a pied-à-terre patio, or even a wildcard number like this bench that includes space for a planter.

Best For: Variety, speedy shipping, and an abundance of product reviews

What doesn't Amazon sell at this point? Certainly furniture in heaps, like side tables, outdoor rugs, and patio sets for small spaces—all at pretty reasonable price points. The best part is that products often have hundreds of reviews to browse so you can get the rundown on whether that teak table you're eyeing will crackle and pop after a day of rain.

Best For: Of-the-moment, low-cost designs

By Gerald Ortiz

By The Editors of GQ

By Gerald Ortiz

Think of Article as the Goldilocks of outdoor furniture: it's not too expensive and it definitely does not look cheap. The direct-to-consumer company is driven by design that follows trends, but not so closely that you're walking out with a squiggle table. Perhaps that's why it is beloved by urban renters and suburban homeowners alike who refuse to give into cookie-cutter furniture or Craigslist finds. All of Article's outdoor pieces focus on durable, weather-resistant materials, such as resin wicker, powder-coated aluminum, UV- and-water resistant fabrics, and solid acacia or teak. It also get bonus points for speedy delivery, with orders worth $999 and up shipping free.

Best for: Chubby silhouettes and laid-back design

Sundays is a new direct-to-consumer venture that aims to marry accessibility and style, with a range of pieces for indoors and outdoors that break the mold of your average flatpack designs. Instead, you'll find cool chubby tables, plus sleek umbrellas and deck chairs, all made with high-quality Sunbrella fabrics, powder-coated steel, and teak.

Best for: Sustainability in spades

Just last year alone, Yardbird incorporated 430,000 pounds of ocean-bound plastic into its hand-woven furniture. It's also partnered with the Carbon Fund to offset its carbon footprint in delivery, daily business ops, and transportation. If that's not enough to convince you that they take sustainability seriously, know that most of its furniture pieces are recyclable.

Best For: Heritage designs that could star in a Slim Aarons photo

The ethos of Design Within Reach is that home comes first. That said, the furnishings are not just darling little things, but are actually built to last, encompassing heritage designers like Herman Miller and Eames plus contemporaries like HAY. That high-design aesthetic will certainly appeal to those with a penchant for style and a willingness to spend more for it.

Best For: Worldly pieces that won't break the bank

Castlery's international team of designers spans Australia, Italy, Poland, and the UK, giving the brand a fluid aesthetic with global appeal. Each collection is clearly inspired by certain locations all over the map (like the beachy Malta chair, for example), that can help you coordinate pieces with the vibe you're going for, from coastal Mediterranean to desert oasis. Whether you're seeking out linear aluminum dining chairs with cushions or a breezy acacia lounger, you're going to find something sturdy that looks a helluva lot more expensive than it actually is.