Best patio furniture – our shopping editor's edit of the very best patio sets and accessories to buy now

Looking to kit out your patio for a summer spent al fresco? This is where you need to shop now to find the best patio furniture

a patio with white furniture
(Image credit: Jennifer Hughes. Design: Hendrick Interiors)

A patio is the perfect stage for an outdoor living space to flourish. The term patio literally translates from Spanish to mean courtyard, although this can be quite a confusing definition to follow as a modern courtyard typically has surrounding walls. It is typically found at the back or side of a house and makes a nice transition between the backdoors and the garden or lawn. 

Typically made from paving stones, bricks or concrete, no matter the size, from a small section that can hold just two garden chairs, a patio is a precious space. With the best outdoor furniture, you can make it a dazzling space to entertain and relax in the summer months. Kit out your patio with these top picks.

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Budget patio umbrella

What type of patio furniture is the most weather resistant?

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‘Always pick a material that will hold up to the elements where you live,’ says Erin Coren of Curated Nest.

If you're looking for patio furniture, you ideally want it to be made of a material that will withstand the test of time, something you don't need to bring indoors after every use. Wrought iron is a classic material that is super durable and can last outdoors despite heavy rainfall. Although wrought iron can be super heavy to lift, so it's not the most flexible. Aluminum is another material that provides a similar level of durability to wrought iron.

Plastic is another good material choice for outdoor furniture, but aesthetically the look of plastic can really cheapen the space. 

If you want the look of hardwood, teak is the best for outdoor material. It is durable, strong and has a beautiful finish. It also works well in warmer, sunnier weather. 

'Wood is a favored material as it fits in nicely with the surrounding landscapes and brings warmth to the space but opting for wood will require maintenance every couple of years,' says Annie and Jordan Obermanns, of Forge & Bow.

Another good alternative is resin wicker. Resin wicker has the look and texture of natural wicker, but has been made specifically for use in outdoor patio furniture.

What is the most durable outdoor fabric for the patio?

When it comes to fabrics that last outdoors, man-made fabrics over natural fabrics will endure. Coated polyester, acrylic and olefin are the most common material and should withstand outdoor moisture, polypropylene fabric has UV resistance and is also relied on for drying out easily enough.

No matter how resistant your outdoor cushions are, if you can cover them when not in use or bring them inside, they'll have more of a chance of lasting longer. 

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.