The Best Outdoor Furniture to Transform Your Backyard or Balcony Into the Ultimate Summer Sanctuary

Whether you’re looking to outfit what feels like an impossibly small balcony nook or you have a massive backyard to work with, we pulled together some real gems that go all in on the tiny details. After all, that’s what takes an outdoor space from “thrown together” to “did a designer consult on this?”

Chairs

A chair doesn’t have to follow one shape or silhouette. We’re seeing curves, overstuffed cushions, and exaggerated classics (ahem, looking at you, updated Adirondack!) slipping into the backyards of our favorite tastemakers. The one thing all of these designs have in common is comfort, all you have to do is bring your go-to happy hour sipper.

Ceci Thompson

Taiko teak outdoor lounge chair

Crate & Barrel

Paso teak outdoor adirondack chair

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. You don’t have to stick to the confines of the same handful of neutral colorways in less-than-luxe textiles.

x Fatboy Paletti set two-seat sofa

Outdoor 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.

Article

Skane outdoor coffee table

Sarah Sherman Samuel

scalloped indoor/outdoor coffee table

Birch Lane

Aniston teak outdoor coffee table

Design Within Reach

Tide outdoor coffee table

Outdoor Rugs

While the jute rug is still a dependable go-to, outdoor rugs have come a long way—especially in the pattern department. Cover a lot of ground with an area rug that acts as rich, anchor of color or create separate lounge areas with a series of smaller rugs in a similar color family.

Sarah Sherman Samuel

Lovett indoor/outdoor rug

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 al fresco, impromptu work sessions under the summer sun, crafternoons in the fresh air, and morning coffee. Play with different table and chair textures to elevate things or keep it simple with a metal stacking set.

Castlery

bistro foldable table with two Como chairs set

Jake Arnold

The Harpen bistro outdoor dining set

West Elm

textured slope outdoor dining set

Dining Sets

An outdoor dining table is the crown jewel of a backyard. The only requirement here is to make sure you’ve got enough seats for all of your favorite people. For a real statement, find a dining set in a bold color and match it to an area rug for a monochromatic vibe.

Birch Lane

Fleur round outdoor dining set

Castlery

Sorrento outdoor dining set

Chaise Lounges

Gone are the days when chaise lounges were only meant to rest next to a pool (though, that is still a great place to have one). From extra-large cushions to squiggly iron bases, these seats are just asking to be admired… and napped on.

Joss & Main

Everlee outdoor Chaise lounge set

Design Within Reach

Softlands outdoor chaise lounge

Accessories and Accents

The finishing touches are often the most fun. Consider this the time to let your personality shine through—scalloped side tables, sleek lighting, embroidered pillows, and modern fire pits are all on the menu. Don’t commit to a single theme, these pieces are meant to be mixed and matched.

Threshold

scalloped rattan accent table

EcoSmart Fire

Ark round concrete fire table

St. Frank

daisy suzani outdoor pillow