I need some sunshine in my life - and I need it bad. It has been raining for three straight days in Happy Valley, with very brief moments of blue skies that feel as rare as an available Taylor Swift concert ticket. I used to think “oh well - I guess the farmers need the rain” and at least feel good that their businesses could be thriving, but then the farmer of my CSA plan told me that farmers are never profitable during wet years and always profitable during dry years - so even that doesn’t bring me solace anymore.

While I’m waiting and wishing and dreaming of warmer weather and afternoons out in the sun, there is something I can do to perk up my spirits and prepare for sunny days - and that is outdoor furniture shopping. I pulled together some of my favorite resources for this blog so that you can get your orders placed and be ready for the eventually-gonna-happen nice weather. I’ve tried a lot of outdoor furniture in the past - at my own home and at my clients’ homes - and I have some strong opinions about what really works in the elements.

Article

I love Article’s modern take on furniture and have had great luck with their pieces. I love their rope chairs and have had mine for several years now - and they still look fantastic! Their Svelti chairs are a great option for adding a pop of color, are super durable, comfortable, and very affordable. Article has excellent customer service and delivery options - I highly recommend them to my clients looking for a more modern vibe to their furniture.

Country Casual Teak

Country Casual Teak isn’t your bargain option to say the least, but their products are a solid investment. I’ve seen their gorgeous Adirondack chairs after years outside in the elements, and they still look amazing. If you want a natural material and your furniture is going to be in the elements (meaning not in a covered porch), Teak is the way to go. There are other tropical woods that are used in outdoor furniture, but if they are directly exposed to rain and/or snow, they will not age the same as teak - and if you aren’t treating and refinishing them regularly, you’ll be looking to replace them after a few years. If you do have a covered porch, you can save some $$cash$$ and use another tropical wood, such as eucalyptus or acacia.

Polywood

If you want outdoor Adirondack chairs but aren’t ready to shell out teak prices, Polywood is a great option. I have multiple Polywood chairs at my home and they are a wonderful option for our I-can’t-believe-its-raining-again climate. Polywood uses recycled material and guarantees their products for 20 years. They are super common for commercial outdoor furniture - and for good reason. The chairs are heavy, durable, appropriate for direct sunlight, and dry quickly. They look beautiful in the front of my house (my black chairs are an awesome contrast to the white brick) and are also a great option for around our pool. When they do get wet, I can quickly wipe them down with a microfiber cloth for a dry seat. The one downside to them is that they can get quite hot in direct sunlight - this only really becomes a problem on the hottest days of the year on our deck (but, if you live in Arizona, you might want to try a different material).

All three of these stores also have beautiful cushion options for your outdoor furniture. I love cushioned furniture outside, but I caution against cushions for homeowners in Central PA without a covered option. Even the highest quality outdoor cushions get wet and stay wet - and they can be a real pain to dry. Unless you are a superhuman and only bring your cushions outside when you are actually going to use the furniture, you should plan on them being wet and taking what feels like an excessively long time to dry (and please note that it is scientifically proven to take longer to dry if the universe knows you have a pretty cocktail in hand). Sometimes cushions will even feel dry - but you realize shortly after sitting that rain water is still hiding there, only making an appearance after you breathe a sigh of relief and take a sip of that pretty cocktail.

I have some friends who live in Idaho and when I show them photos of our lush Central PA environment, they proclaim their jealousy and complain about how dry it is there and how dead their yards look - the grass is always greener (or maybe drier?) on the other side. No matter your elements, furniture will add to your outdoor living experience. Selecting and investing in high quality outdoor furniture will give you a space to love for years to come.

If you are considering furniture for your outdoor space, schedule a discovery call to learn how we can help you select high quality furniture to best fit your lifestyle and space.

Our Favorite Outdoor Furniture for the Elements

Article

Country Casual Teak

Polywood