One dining set we tested—the Mercury Row Nikoleta—was perfectly suited to the smooth surface of a concrete patio or a wood deck. Yet when the set was placed on tiled concrete pavers, the chair legs consistently caught between the pavers, resulting in a few awkward, arms-flailing exits from the table. If your intended surface isn’t uniform and flat, look for a table and chairs with wide feet, ideally outfitted with levelers to adjust for uneven surfaces.
Not only can you get a patio set including the table, but you can also get tables by themselves. Outdoor tables include dining, coffee tables and side tables. We have a variety of the types of tables we sell like aluminum, plastic, steel solid wood, glass or metal along with different color options and sizes. Look for something realistic that you’ll use and that compliments with the rest of your patio. Think of the colors and styles you want for your space whether it’s subtle, vivid or an eye-popping pattern.
What you choose for your outdoor space will depend on your unique taste, budget, and climate. Follow along for our tips on selecting the most practical and stylish patio sets. When you opt for a patio set—you will typically get a grouping of pieces made out of the same materials. While this creates a beautiful standard cohesive outdoor patio furniture look, you also need to consider that whatever set you pick must also be able to withstand the weather and the passage of time. New furniture such as a new rattan sofa set or patio set will create the perfect environment for friends and family to gather. One reason for resin wicker’s popularity is its easy upkeep.
IKEA has traditional, modern, coastal and more outdoor furniture styles that are durable, made of sustainable material and low maintenance. Birch Lane’s all-weather, rot-resistant outdoor pieces are incredibly reliable—and that’s a word we don’t throw around lightly when it comes to patio furniture. These sets need to outlast the elements, after all, so the brand’s mildew- and UV-resistant fabrics are incredibly helpful. Still, relying on durable fabrics and materials doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. Birch Lane’s pieces, like the outdoor club chair, are beautiful, so they’ll give your patio as much of a makeover as they give you peace of mind. If you love the look of traditional outdoor patio sets with some airy, coastal flair, then you’ll adore the charming aesthetic the Sol 72 Outdoor Arlington Wicker 5-Person Seating Group brings.
But before you fall in love with the way a piece looks, consider how well it will wear over the course of many seasons (and how much you’re willing to maintain it). Some materials—like wood—require annual maintenance to keep them looking good, while others can weather the elements for years without any upkeep. A set of patio furniture including a couch, chair, and side tables (much like living room furniture), will cost $400 to $2000. The reason for this large price range is the same as it is for dining room sets.
You get plenty of seating with this seven-piece set, which includes two armchairs, two ottomans, a three-seat couch, a loveseat and a table. The furniture pieces are all made with all-weather wicker and anti-rust steel frames to stand up to all weather conditions throughout the year. This modular, rattan patio set looks like it costs more than just $340. Choose from three colors and rearrange the sofa pieces to your liking. Perfect for small spaces, this patio furniture set includes two single chairs (26.5″ x 26.5″ x 30″) and a glass-top coffee table (19.5″ x 19.5″ x 19.5″). The furniture arrives in less packaging than many of its luxury competitors and is primarily recyclable when you’re ready to phase it out (not anytime soon, we’re sure).
You can grow your plants anywhere from small to big spaces and it gives more life to your space. We have all the necessities like pots, gardening tools and storage for your plants or garden. If you want effortless gardening, we also have fake plants that still brighten your outdoor patio.
The trade-off is the loss of back support of a traditional chair—an omission some guests might notice. But remember, you can always mix and match—interspersing chairs at the ends or on one side of a long table and adding a bench to the other. Discover even more great options and browse the patio furniture collections. Amazing and comfortable furniture sets that include tables, benches and so much more, from acclaimed designers like Tracey Boyd, Ty Pennington and Laila Ali. Find the best set that fits your style whether it’s the sophistication of the HoneyBloom or the neutral chic of the Soho collection.
For our 2018 update, we ordered another two dining sets and assembled them in another Los Angeles backyard. During both tests, we examined screws, joints, and the apparent quality of construction. Due to testing limitations during the pandemic, we were not able to assemble these new sets at home. So we narrowed our search to dining sets that we could touch and analyze at big-box stores, that had great reviews at the time, and that were eligible for return or exchange. In 2022, we expanded our research to direct-to-consumer brands—like Article, Blu Dot, and Neighbor—and added larger dining sets and new outdoor living room options, such as sofas and lounge chairs.
CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. We can’t stop glossing over its catalog of ready-to-order furniture pieces, so we recommend ordering stat to ensure it arrives before warmer temps arise. For gathering around your fire pit, shop the Bal Harbour Outdoor Teak Four-Piece Sectional ($9,848) or the Wyatt Outdoor Sofa ($3,399). The Ollie Outdoor Large Platform ($2,950) is also nice for plopping in the empty grounds of your backyard — especially for using your outdoor projector to watch films underneath the stars. Aesthetically, we love the look of the brand’s Sausalito Dining Chair ($698) and Pacifica Sofa ($2,998).