We all know you can’t get “faster,” “cheaper.” And It’s also impossible to find “good,” and apparently even find outdoor furniture that is “really good,” that can “last outside for years without disintegrating,” and “doesn’t cost a million dollars.” Now, almost all outdoor furniture will look better with a cover. This is just common sense, and most companies will suggest a matching cover for each piece (which I never want to spend money on). And yet the covers really ruin the ambiance of a beautiful view for the other six-eight months of the year (and who really has space to store huge pieces of furniture?!). So I’ve been doing research to better understand what we can buy to plant in our garden that can handle year-round rain and sun (we don’t get much snow here, if at all). I don’t mind staring at nice looking frames without covering them, knowing I’ll definitely be stocking up on cushions in the winter. I know there will be compromises and sacrifices required, but furniture that needs to be covered by a big dark cover in the middle of our patio isn’t a good fit for me.
I really love the look of our picnic tables, and they look great outside (pressure-treated wood), but they’re not exactly what people want to sit at, apparently (everyone is just standing around them – don’t want to be cloistered, I guess). So I’m considering moving them along the back fence line for the kids and replacing them with two seating areas. But I look out from my sunrise room all day, and I’m afraid the cover will spoil the ambiance. Surely I can find something that will be ok to leave outside and look good year round??? Here’s what I came up with after research…
Resin Wicker – aka “All Weather Wicker”
What a fantastic product that looks organic and natural, but is actually extremely sustainable. Introducing “resin wicker” or “all-weather wicker” which is actually not wicker at all, but a wicker-like plastic. I’ve made a few pieces from different brands that last all year and look brand new. That S-shaped chair actually lives outside on our property, and it’s in perfect condition (from AllModern). I have it too This outdoor setWhich floats around our yard and is in perfect condition.
1. Huntington Wicker Curved Outdoor Sofa | 2. Ipanema Wicker Outdoor Loveseat | 3. Westerland Oversized All-Weather Slope Arm Outdoor Loveseat
We’re looking for two seating areas, and I want them to coordinate and not look eclectic (inside, I don’t need matching things, but outside, I really like it when things seem part of a set). For our space, we need small furniture (not big sectionals or even large furniture), so I would like either two small sofas and a chair, or a sofa and two chairs, but the point is that you won’t see huge sofas or sofas with awkward backs here, because everything is floating.
Shea Wide Straight Loveseat with Cushion
i am very fond of This one Because it looks very beautiful on its own even without the pad. I like that it feels more garden party and casual.
1. Huntington Wicker Rotary Curved Outdoor Lounge Chair | 2. Montane Oversized All Weather Wicker Outdoor Pivot Chair | 3. Sonrisa All Weather Curved Open Back Outdoor Pivot Chair | 4. Westport Wicker Outdoor Slim Profile Rotary Chair
I think that since all of these resin wicker sets can look different, it’s best to buy matching sets rather than mix/match wicker with different tones or looks. Out of all of them, I’m leaning towards pottery barn onebut the size of crate and barrel one It has a nice soft sculptural shape that will be pleasing to the eye even without the cushion.
1. Ipanema Wicker Outdoor Lounge Chair with Cushion | 2. Baycrest Outdoor Teak Lounge Chair | 3. Aliza Wicker Outdoor Lounge Chair
OG Natural Wicker does best in sunrooms and covered porches, but never outside in the rain. Then again, I’ve had three pieces of resin wicker lying around outside all year round for years, and they’re still in perfect condition. big fan. Is this the vibe I want? Sure. I think it captures the pickleball back fence well.
1. Baycrest Outdoor Teak Sofa | 2. Malibu Teak and Rope Outdoor Sofa
It’s a nice mix of ingredients that I really like. Pottery Barn Sofa It can also be left without a pillow, which is nice, but potentially less comfortable.
powder-coated aluminum
1. Terra Loveseat | 2. camber loveseat | 3. Aden Aluminum Outdoor Sofa | 4. Sarek Outdoor Sofa
Now I can’t guarantee all metal outdoor furniture, but what I have will last for years with no snow or rain. I’m talking about our black dining table from Pottery Barn that is still on our lower patio at the Mountain House. Technically, it is covered by a deck, but a foot of snow falls on it every year, and rain falls through the deck, so it is exposed to the weather. For this house, I think teak or resin wicker has more of the vibe I want (easier to integrate into the natural surroundings), so I didn’t spend too much time shopping for metal. We used this set for a makeover earlier this week, and it was extremely high quality.
polywood
1. Polywood x AllModern Chair 7-Piece Parsons Dining Table Set | 2. Low Chair – Polywood
Polywood is a brand of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic, molded to look like wood, and guaranteed to last for over 20 years. It’s extremely solid and durable, and you can leave it in the snow, rain, or sunshine. This is unbelievable. That’s why we chose them our external feces That, again, we didn’t want to cover or store. They also make sofas now, of course, as well as Adirondack chairs, and I’m extremely tempted to work with them (I’m even tempted to offer a collaboration because I want their construction/durability/quality but in more styles!).
professional: Extremely durable and will last for at least 20 years (that’s a big accomplishment!). You’re paying for peace of mind with zero maintenance or care. We could also match the lounge area to the Adirondack firepit area, because they have great Adirondack chairs.
Shortcoming: Certainly an investment, but still, most high-quality outdoor furniture is expensive. By making them so strong, they end up looking heavy and boxy, which is perfect for the perfect look. Fabric colors can work (and all are Sunbrella), but there isn’t a single combination of wood tone/color and fabric that screams “this is it”. I prefer white and black rather than wood tones, but both of those options look really stark in our garden, which has a lot of soft, natural tones and elements. But our gazebo and barn are bright white, so maybe it’s okay? And they have “Sand”, which is a beige/light brown color that I’m interested in, could that be the softer version we need?
1. EDGE 4-Piece Modular Deep Seating Set with Ottoman | 2. Riviera Modern Lounge Loveseat | 3. Polywood Modern Adirondack Chair
These are the two I am arguing with Pollywood. Then I’ll dress them up with cute pillows and remember that they’re on flags and surrounded by lots of pretty greenery/pink, so they may not be showpieces, but the whole garden will look really pretty and classic.
high quality teak
ALLLLL My research says teak can be outside year round, and yet it’s organic and porous, so it’s still hard to believe. Last year, I attended lovetik in Portland (a high end teak company) and asked if their furniture could be left outside without being covered, and they said, “Absolutely, for years”. He mentioned that of course it would gray, but it would not retain moisture, would not mold, was extremely hard, and would therefore last. Of course, construction still matters. I don’t necessarily love anything they have in their store, but it gave me more confidence that if I get grade A teak, high quality stuff, we can leave it out there. Acacia and eucalyptus also do fine outside on covered patios/porches, but if left in the rain, teak will last four times as long, so I didn’t include any other wood species (FYI, the article features great outdoor furniture that lasts longer under cover, but since there’s very little teak in them, they’re not included here).
i have a teak sectional And Neighbor Teak Chaise LoungeAnd they’re both grayed out, and the frames still feel really sturdy. This will be the third summer we’ve left them out year-round (as no company recommends doing so, FYI). Here are some others I like:
1. Monterey Outdoor Teak Sofa | 2. Malibu Teak Outdoor Sofa | 3. Sonoma Teak Outdoor Sofa with Sunbrella® Cushions | 4. Calero Natural Teak Outdoor Loveseat
I really love that first sofa From West Elm. The curved back is very beautiful and will look good from the rear, which we will see a lot of times. Most of these teak sofas are sold with lightweight fabrics, which of course look nice, but I’m worried about the dirt/mud of Oregon, so I’m tempted to get the slipcovers on the upholstery in their Irish Series Outdoor Sunbrella fabric (their collaboration with Max Humphrey), of which I still have a large roll.
1. Malibu Teak Outdoor Adirondack Lounge Chair | 2. Bogota Teak Patio Chair with Sunbrella Cushion | 3. Malibu Teak Outdoor Lounge Chair | 4. Zyma Teak Wood Upholstered Adirondack Chair
1. Haven Teak Adirondack Chair | 2. low bench
The Neighbor definitely has the design-forward part going for it – those silhouettes are so elegant, classic, and simple (and still feel design-forward). I am very tempted to get a collection of the above and buy or make seat cushions for them.
1. Fellow Loveseat | 2. fellow chair | 3. fellow ottoman
I’m incredibly attracted to this set, knowing that the green color would work great there. behind the this sofa Really nice too (vs their other sofa, which I like but has black fabric on the back).
1. fello dining set | 2. Kiva Teak Wood and All-Weather Wicker 3 Piece Outdoor Dining Set | 3. Tika Outdoor Dining Table
If anyone has a suggestion for a brand or piece of furniture that will last more than 10+ years, please let us know! I know I’m missing the fiberglass/plastic as well as the ceramic/tile/mosaic table top and wrought iron sets – both are very nice, but not what I was looking for, so I didn’t include them here. But I would love any real recommendations from you all if you have any 🙂
Opening Image Credit: Photo by Caitlin Green | From: River House Kitchen Patio Reveal
