Best Outdoor Furniture — The 12 Things Discerning Decorators Will Be Buying for Their Yards This Summer

If your first thought was, What is this chair doing here? I thought this was an outdoor edit? — then, same. But despite its deceptively chic, living-room-worthy appearance, the Curva Lounge Chair by Rove Concepts is, in fact, built for the outdoors.

A mix of natural rattan, brushed brass accents, and an innovative sage green outdoor fabric designed to mimic suede, this outdoor chair nails the mixed materials trend — one to watch, according to Jennifer Nield, vice president of lifestyle at MillerKnoll.

“By blending materials that stand up to the weather while offering a modern design, outdoor spaces can have both style and longevity,” she says. (Catch more from our conversation in my outdoor furniture trends piece next month — stay tuned.)

AD100 designer Jake Arnold just dropped his first outdoor collection with Crate & Barrel, and this bistro set is the undisputed standout. Its whimsical wrought iron shape feels soft, sculptural, and perfectly in tune with the sinuous lines dominating design right now. At a recent event, I asked Jake what makes this piece so special — and why we need it in 2025.

“So often, outdoor furniture feels like an afterthought from behind, but I wanted every angle to be beautiful,” he told me. “The varied materials and silhouettes mean nothing feels too ‘set-like,’ while green in the right shade acts as a neutral, softening the space and making it feel timeless.”

Beyond that? It’s simply an ideal spot for an alfresco bite. “The chairs are the perfect scale, incredibly comfortable, and I love the striped fabric. I’d absolutely use them inside, too,” he says. (A solid plan for when the season’s over.)

And while 'Playfulism' —  the squiggly, exuberant design movement — is still very much a thing, we’re also seeing a parallel shift: fun, sculptural shapes, but for minimalists. A little less color, a little less wiggle, but still full of personality.

This concrete ottoman is the perfect example: footrest, stool (just add a cushion), drink table, or standalone eye candy to break up an awkward corner. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, trust its flawless 5/5 star rating on Wayfair (a near impossibility for these very picky customers). A real gem.

If, for whatever reason, you’re one of the four people still living under a rock and not watching The White Lotus, you’re missing out — not just on aristocratic chaos, but on some seriously enviable resort furniture.

While we’ve already seen the trend make its way indoors (see: Island Decor Trend), our eyes are on where it truly belongs: outside. Gardenside, villa-side, and most importantly: poolside.

Picture yourself under this posh Pagoda-style patio umbrella, tasseled, naturally — because this classic vacation detail is having a moment again.

Luxury isn’t what it used to be. Designer bags? Nice try. In 2025, real luxury is about leisure — the look, the feel, the enviable experience of doing nothing in particular.

Okay, maybe you do have a nine-to-five — but working from home hits differently when it’s done from an acacia wood daybed this good. Back reclined just so, legs stretched long, a glass of something chilled within reach, the canopy fabric shifting softly in the breeze — suddenly, even the inbox can wait.

If watches are now phones — which are, for all intents and purposes, mini computers —  why shouldn’t we expect more from our furniture? Outdoor seating in 2025 isn’t just weather-resistant; it’s adaptable.

"Modularity is a clear trend for 2025 as customers want to customize pieces based on their spatial and hosting needs," says Paula Coassarini, senior manager of product design at Article.

That’s why Article’s latest modular seating collections, Cove and Daphne, are designed with ultimate flexibility — armless chairs that transform into minimalist outdoor loveseats, sofas, or full-sectionals at will. Our pick? Daphne, all the way. She works solo or in a group, whether that’s tomorrow, next year, or years from now.

I misread this Gonçalo Campos-designed Yuma coffee table as “Yummy” rather than “Yuma.” A Freudian slip? More like a Fleuridian one. The asymmetrical Spider green marble top, inspired by Brazilian modernism, feels indulgent — yet completely at home outdoors.

A modern outdoor coffee table like this does more than hold drinks; it sets the scene. It’s the kind of piece that makes you want to linger, host that overdue catch-up, and snap an Instagram story in the process. Work from home, margaritas, book club? This sculptural stunner makes sense for every occasion.

To really drive the point home: the best outdoor furniture for 2025 is about leisure — and what embodies leisure more than an outdoor hammock? It’s physically impossible to take life too seriously while suspended between trees in sunglasses.

Yet, despite its potential, the category has remained largely underserved, often looking like it belongs at a three-star resort or a campsite.

Enter Sarah Sherman Samuel, whose latest extension of her Lulu and Georgia outdoor collection answers the call with a striped, scalloped-edge hammock that feels nothing short of elegant.

Since we all love mid-century styles indoors, why wouldn’t we apply the same principles to outdoor dining?

“Mid-Century dining sets and seating pieces can be a chic way to introduce a vintage-modern vibe to your outdoor space,” says Anthony Barzilay-Freund, 1stDibs editorial director & director of fine art.

Ideally, this means actual vintage (which you can find on 1stDibs), but for something more budget-friendly, this lightweight acrylic dining table nails the clean lines and retro charm of its higher-end counterparts — importantly, without veering into “dated.” Choose between black or white in this 4.4-star fan-favorite.

Colorful outdoor furniture never hurt anyone — in fact, it might just be the antidote to boring backyards.

This striped side table from Anthropologie has the cabana-chic look of a European beach resort or an old-school country club — exactly the kind of detail that transports you elsewhere.

At under $200 and available in multiple colorways, it’s an easy way to inject personality into an outdoor setup.

"Black framed seating is a way to bring your favorite resort look to your backyard," says Gifty Walker, Joybird’s director of merchandising. “This is being done in oversized frames for sofas and sectionals as well as thinner frames inspired by cafés in France.”

Naturally, we opted for the latter — because who wouldn’t want to channel a three-hour wine-fueled conversation in Paris?

TOV Furniture's (dare we say best outdoor sofa) is particularly compelling — it mirrors the indoor-inspired outdoor sofas we’ve been seeing everywhere, but at a fraction of the price (down to the bolster cushions). Run, don’t walk.

Suddenly, the suburbs feel far, far away. This woven sun lounger — crafted from durable polyethylene — delivers pure tropical luxury, offering the sense of escapism that’s defining outdoor design this year.

Ergonomic? Yes. Sculptural? Absolutely. The swooping side profile is a conversation piece in and of itself. Place it poolside, on a patio, or in the middle of a lawn and choose from three colorways.

Bon voyage...