The Best Patio Furniture For The Backyard Of Your Dreams

Summer is almost over, which means it’s time to start transforming your outdoor space. Now is the perfect time to get your backyard, patio or other outdoor space in tip-top shape for fall bonfires and cozy backyard hangs. Rather than treating your backyard or patio space as an afterthought—somewhere you go just to spend a few minutes outside—Cliff Fong, founder of the Los Angeles-based interior design firm, Matt Blacke Inc., says he likes to address designing outdoor spaces the same way he would approach indoor spaces.

“You want to be able to entertain, make guests comfortable, read a book or take a nap in a chair that is as comfortable as your favorite chair inside the house,” Fong says. Whether the area you are working with is petite or palatial, or you’re looking to makeover the entire space or simply accent what you already have, check out our top picks for patio furniture, ahead.

Best Outdoor Furniture For Smaller Spaces

Caleb Handcrafted Metal Indoor/Outdoor Lantern

Give smaller outdoor spaces a warm glow after the sun goes down with lanterns, like these arched metal ones from Pottery Barn. They come in four heights and two finishes—black and white weathered—and can sit directly on a table or the ground. “If you have a taller tree in your outdoor space, you can also drop lanterns from a strong tree branch,” Fong suggests.

Arhaus Costa Outdoor Round Dining Table

Whether you’re outfitting a patio or urban backyard, Costa’s 70-inch round table seats four in comfort and style. Crafted by artisans in Indonesia and made from sustainably harvested teak wood, the table has a breezy, naturally distressed patina that complements virtually any outdoor space. Complete the set with matching side chairs and an octagonal umbrella for sun coverage.

West Elm Teak Wood Outdoor Sofa

At just 60 inches wide, this two-cushion, teak wood sofa offers generous seating without taking up excess real estate. The FSC-certified wood has a modern look, and the weather- and stain-resistant olefin cushions come in four calming colors to make your outdoor space an oasis. Customize the couch with a few bright striped or geometrically-patterned outdoor pillows.

Frontgate Lara Indoor/Outdoor Rug

This durable, subtly patterned rug serves as a stately base for your outdoor sofa or dining room table. Made from mold- and mildew-resistant materials, it stands up to all weather conditions, and can be fully cleaned with mild soap and a garden hose.

Dakota Fields Marionville Outdoor Poof Ottoman

This handcrafted cylindrical pouf offers an extra (and easily moveable) place for you to put your feet up, or for a guest to sit, without the footprint of an ottoman or extra chair. The two-toned, textured pattern comes in six modern colors and the fabric is water-resistant, which is good for the elements and potential iced tea spills.

Rainier Galvanized Storage Cart

This petite, but amply-spacious three tiered cart makes it easy to stock (and transport) wine glasses, spirits, dinner plates, tea cups or anything you’d like. The cart’s galvanized sheet metal trays and wood handles look just right in nearly any space, and the wheels let you transition from kitchen to patio or backyard with ease.

Best Outdoor Furniture For Larger Spaces

Country Teak Dining Table

This farmhouse-inspired beauty, which handsomely accommodates 10 guests, is made of solid teak wood and hand-finished by expert carpenters. Suitable for both indoor and long-term outdoor use, it’s finished with a shield that gives it its characteristic silvery, aged look, but also protects it from wear and tear from the elements—sun, heat and/or rain. Pair it with comfortable cross back armchairs and a breezy tablecloth that complements the table’s rustic elegance.

Huntington All-Weather Wicker Double Chaise Sectional

“Outdoor furniture fabrics have progressed leaps and bounds in the last five to 10 years. There are now outdoor fabrics that effectively mimic velvet, linen and even mohair,” says Fong. Take this gracious wicker sectional, a handwoven piece that’s both stylish and comfortable. The thick cushions invite comfortable summertime lounging, while the double chaise (one on either of the sofa) provides twice the incentive to stretch out.

If you’re on a limited budget, Fong suggests buying a more budget-friendly outdoor sofa and elevating it with a simple tweak. “You can buy a $2,000 outdoor couch and redo the fabric to transform it into something that feels like a $10,000 sofa,” he says.

Birch Lane Marley Brown Outdoor Chandelier

For sheltered outdoor spaces, like a covered patio, Fong recommends lighting the space with a weather-resistant chandelier. “It’s such a great way to bring light and add atmosphere,” he said. The five bulbs in this rustic, globe-shaped chandelier brings an elegant farmhouse aesthetic and a cozy vibe. For a more dramatic fixture, this stately 12-bulb outdoor chandelier fits the bill.

Maren Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Give your sectional a solid foundation and help delineate your outdoor space, with this handwoven striped rug. The material is mold- and stain-resistant, and is easily cleaned with a vacuum and backyard hose. With five colors to choose from, it’s simple to find one that suits your style.

Sol 72 Outdoor Monroe Steel Fire Pit

From backyard s’mores with the kids to late-evening ambience for the grownups, a fire pit elevates any backyard or patio experience. Sol 72 Outdoor’s wood-burning outdoor fire pit is durable and easy to clean (just remove the bowl and dump out the ashes). It comes with a spark screen and cover, as well as a poker to get the fire going.

Yellow Leaf Mojave Hammock

Nothing defines backyard or patio luxury like a hammock, and Yellow Leaf’s hammocks are among the best. Handwoven with ultra-soft yarn (looped more than 150,000 times), the classic hammock cradles up to 400 pounds firmly and comfortably for epic backyard naps. It comes in a variety of colors, and if you don’t see one that you like, you can customize your own.