The sound of wind in the leaves, breakfast under the trees, and a wicker reading chair with your name on it—it’s easy to idealize life outside, even if the space you’re working with is a compact balcony. Crucial to realizing this daydream is having the right outdoor furniture for the job; why not let your imagination run a little wild? This latest class of furnishings is anything but boring. Chunky, oversized armchairs with cabana stripe upholstery and pink sofas with playfully curved frames act as eye candy; boldly patterned rugs and colorful, mod little lamps fill in the gaps.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Outdoor Furniture
Before you fully commit to your shopping cart, there are a few things you’ll want to sort out. If there’s a color that brightens your day—scarlet red, perhaps?—consider going all in on a tonal palette with your furniture, rug, and accessories to craft a pool of color among your outdoor greenery. If texture catches your eye, identify a few favorites so you don’t go overboard. And when it comes to accessories and accents, keep it tailored to your lifestyle. If you love to have groups of friends over, a fire pit to gather around will be your seasonal MVP; if you’ve found yourself a recent convert to the art of birding, a bird bath for your ornithological guests will come in handy.
Whatever space you’re working with, we pulled together an edit of the latest and greatest in outdoor furniture. Read on to take your backyard from thrown-together to something that’ll have your guests wondering, “did a designer consult on this?”
The Chairs
From overstuffed cushions to playful shapes, these outdoor chairs are just as fun as they are functional. An updated Adirondack chair courtesy of Crate & Barrel lets you bring the spirit of camping to your backyard without actually having to, you know, go camping; for something cozier to sink into, we’re eyeing Serena & Lily’s slipcovered swivel chair and Lulu & Georgia’s chunky green armchair. Bring your book, your chilled drink of choice, and prepare to while away an afternoon in the sun.
The Sofas
There’s something a little bit magical happening with weatherproof sofas and couches right now. Designers have found a way to create pieces with every bit of style, softness, and permanence that you’d find from an indoor sibling—no boring neutrals and less-than-luxe textiles here. This fresh crop of outdoor sofas comes in architectural silhouettes, in stripes of all sizes, and in minimalist-friendly frames.
The Coffee Tables
Make the outdoor perch for your morning coffee and Kindle a statement piece. Colors have gotten bolder, shapes have gotten more playful, and materials have gained a touch of utilitarian style. Go all in on an unexpected finish—travertine or powder-coated metal, anyone?—to help play up an especially lush lounge chair or sofa. There’s also something classic and charming about a simple iron option; Olive Atelier’s take is inspired by classic European café culture and features a curved base.
The Rugs
Outdoor rugs have come a long way—especially in the pattern department. Cover a lot of ground with an area rug that acts as a rich anchor of color or create separate lounge areas with a series of smaller rugs in a similar color family.
.jpg)
The Bistro Sets
Who doesn’t want to feel transported to a streetside cafe in Paris minutes after waking up in their own bed? Bistro sets are great for intimate dinners for two al fresco, impromptu work sessions under the summer sun, and morning coffee in the fresh air. Play with different table and chair textures to elevate things or keep it simple with a metal set; for smaller spaces, make sure your set is foldable to cut down on visual clutter.
The Dining Sets
If you’re setting up your outdoor space to host, you’ll need a dining table set that can stand up to a busy season. Practically speaking, start by figuring out exactly how big a table you need (West Elm’s contemporary option expands to sit eight people) and go from there. Not afraid of a little color? Pick a bolder hue and match it to an area rug for a monochromatic moment.
The Chaise Lounges
Gone are the days when chaise lounges were purely made to sit poolside. From extra-large cushions to squiggly iron bases, these statement-making seats are just asking to be admired… and napped on.
The Lighting
String lights twinkling on balcony railings will always look charming; but portable lamps from brands like Louis Poulsen and Audo Copenhagen offer flexibility when it’s time to move the dinner party from the patio to the fire pit. Speaking of dinner parties: A hanging pendant placed over your table is a good way to carve out an entertaining-specific nook in an outdoor area. Lulu and Georgia makes theirs in all-weather wicker, for a durable option.
The Accessories
The finishing touches are often the most fun. Consider this the time to let your personality shine through with cabana stripes and scalloped trims. Exciting new collaborations, like Emma Chamberlain for West Elm and Jasper Morrison for Hay, provide playful textile options; for something sturdier, a burgundy marble end table (the ideal parking spot for your Campari soda) rounds out a patio seating nook nicely.
