This is best outdoor furniture for summer 2024 – stylish designs that look so good you'd happily have them inside, too

On the hunt for some brilliant outdoor furniture for your backyard this summer? I've scoured the internet to bring you our favorite pieces to shop right now

A backyard decorated with boho style outdoor furniture
(Image credit: Image credit: Emily Cate Rochon. Design: Jessie Lane Interiors)
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Teak outdoor dining table

(Image credit: Crate and Barrel)

This summer, our backyards are all about blurring boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. As we throw open our backdoors and welcome the warmer weather, it’s time for our gardens to work harder, functioning as extensions of our homes: living quarters, dining room, or even just a spot for a quiet morning coffee. 

‘We look at outdoor spaces as outdoor rooms that function very much like interior spaces,’ says David Thompson, principal, and founder of LA-based architect firm, Assembledge+ . ‘The perfect outdoor furniture should also be in a dialogue with the interior design and function as an extension of the interior design mood, extending the indoor living areas to the outside.’ 

Here’s my pick of pieces from the best outdoor furniture brands that will make your backyard perfect for entertaining this summer.  

Best backyard dining tables

Best backyard coffee tables

Best backyard dining chairs

Best backyard sofas

Best backyard accent chairs


What material is best for outdoor furniture?

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When it comes to looking for the best material for outdoor furniture, make sure you keep your eyes out for furniture that’s made from weather-resistant powder-coated material. 

An aluminium table will stay looking brand new even after years of use, and you can often choose from a variety of finishes. 

Outdoor living trends call for more wellness areas in the garden, with a focus on clean lines and simple shapes. An emphasis on nature and the organic look is part of this wider trend. Molteni & Co has released its first outdoor dining collection this year, heavily featuring the beautiful warmth of teak. ‘FSC-certified premium grade teak has natural oils that make it inherently weatherproof, mould, and insect resistant, so there's no need to treat it with harsh chemicals to make it perform outdoors,’ says Reilly Gray, co-founder of outdoor brand, Suns Lifestyle. 

Enamel is another option. ‘I love enamel that is wipeable but can be in a spectrum of colours,’ says Jennifer Morris, Principal at JMorris Design, based in Brooklyn. ‘In terms of the best outdoor furniture brands, Loll Design makes their furniture in recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is cleanable, colourful and won’t fade in the sun.’ 

Wrought iron is another durable option while stainless steel will lend your outdoor space a contemporary look with easy maintenance. ‘Wrought iron will be your most durable and sturdy option but is definitely a higher price point,’ says Annie and Jordan Obermanns of Forge & Bow. 

What size is best for outdoor dining table?

Your backyard dining table is a long-term investment piece, so getting the dimensions right is paramount. For a rectangular table that seats four to six, 68-72 inch length will suffice; six to eight seats will need around 72-80 inches. Typical diameters for a round table are 36 inches for two, 42 inches for four people, and 54 inches or up to 60 inch diameter for six people. 

‘A good way to choose a dining table size is to measure the area's length and width, subtract 30”-36” from each side, and whatever dimension is left can be used as your shopping guide,’ recommend Annie and Jordan. ‘The 30”-36” guide helps to ensure there will be an efficient amount of space to navigate around the table if guests are seated.’

There is also the round versus rectangular debate. We’ve seen the introduction of organic shapes for outside dining, mirroring the trends from the last few seasons of interiors. Rectangular is best for homes where entertaining and large-scale hosting is the focus, where round tables work better for more intimate, casual gatherings. The choice should also be influenced by the space available. In a more linear space, a rectangle or oval shape is best and in a more square space, a circular table or smaller square is recommended. 

Consider the placement too. ’Create an outdoor space with the right amount of sun and shade that can be protected from rain and the elements,’ says David from Assembledge. 

Oonagh Turner
Livingetc content editor and design expert

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.