how to choose
outdoor furniture
Patio, pool deck, garden, sunroom, lanai—a beautiful outdoor room is just as important as any indoor design. This outdoor furniture buying guide will teach you how to pick durable furniture and cushions, share tips on how to style outdoor spaces, and keep your outdoor spaces looking beautiful season after season.
How should you choose the right outdoor furniture for your space?
The biggest difference between your indoor rooms and outdoor spaces is that Mother Nature is always a guest outdoors. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Where will your patio furniture live?
Completely surrounded
In spaces like sunrooms and pool houses, you have more control over the climate in which your furniture lives. That affords you more flexibility—you can even use indoor fabrics on your cushions and pillows.
Covered overhead
On covered patios, verandas, and lanais, your furniture won’t be completely shielded, but you’ll have better protection from rain, snow, and sun. Outdoor fabrics are best for these spaces, and with the proper furniture covers, you can even use fully upholstered outdoor furniture in these spots.
Completely open
Spaces under the sun—think poolside or in the garden—demand more effort to maintain. We don’t recommend fully upholstered furniture in these areas; we also strongly recommend investing in furniture covers and always taking cushions indoors when you’re not using them.
How will you use your outdoor furniture?
For lounging
Choose from outdoor sofas and loveseats, or group accent chairs to create a conversation zone. We even offer fully upholstered options that feel like living room seating outdoors.
For dining
Set out an outdoor table and chairs, complete with an umbrella, to enjoy your morning cuppa with a view—or design an alfresco retreat for grand gatherings.
For poolside
Outdoor chaises with cushions are comfy places for relaxing and sunning. Add a small table to keep your beverage close at hand.
What are the best materials for outdoor furniture?
Special considerations for certain environments
- By the ocean—Pick materials that can handle sun and saltwater, and buy furniture that’s heavy enough to withstand high winds.
- In a humid climate—Moisture is your nemesis, so choose fabrics that resist mildew and mold.
- Sunny and hot—Take care with dark metal finishes, which can become extremely hot in the sun. Keep furniture covers on until right before you start using the furniture, and replace covers after use.
Choosing the most durable outdoor furniture materials
Don't hesitate to mix & match materials when you’re planning your outdoor space; a woven chair can look great with a teak table. At the same time, if you prefer matching pieces, we offer coordinated outdoor furniture collections.
Most of the furniture you’ve shown has cushions. How can you tell if cushions are well made?
The best outdoor fabric for a cushion is solution-dyed polyester; it’s colorfast, UV resistant, and mold/mildew resistant. Inside the cushion, look for an antimicrobial foam core wrapped in water-resistant ticking that will protect the core from moisture.
Did you know your outdoor cushions can be customized with indoor-luxury features like contrast welting? That’s because we hand-tailor them in the same workshops where we make our indoor upholstery.
How do you maintain and clean patio furniture?
Our furniture is built to last—but common sense is a patio lover’s best friend. Because it’s interacting with the elements, Ethan Allen’s patio furniture does require more care than our indoor furniture.
Take care of your cushions
We always recommend storing your cushions in a cool, dry place if you’re not going to use them for a couple of days. If you notice standing water on your cushions, dry it up as soon as possible, and stand your cushion up vertically where air can circulate around it until it’s thoroughly dry.
For minor spots, you can clean with mild soap and water, using a sponge. For tough stains, use a diluted bleach solution: 1 gallon warm water, 1 cup bleach, and 2 tablespoons of a natural soap. Spray it on the entire area and let it soak in; if necessary, scrub with a sponge or a clean cloth. Never unzip your cushion fabric and put it in the washer or dryer. It will likely lose its shape—and void your warranty.
For the best protection, we’ve designed custom-fit covers for each piece of our outdoor furniture. Also made from durable solution-dyed polyester, each cover is double stitched and has a water-resistant backing, and the fabric is stable to –20°F (–29°C).
Keep your frames looking fabulous
Mind the sunscreen, tanning oils, and insect repellents when you’re sunning outside—these products can stain your frames and cushions, and void your warranty. Be sure to place a towel between your skin and any outdoor furniture surfaces. If contact occurs, wipe off immediately.
YOU INVESTED. GET PROTECTED.
Accidents happen to the best of us, and nature can be unpredictable. Add an outdoor furniture protection plan—it goes beyond our warranty to cover an outdoor piece for up to five years (see terms and conditions for complete details of what’s covered). Learn more >
How do you make an outdoor room feel like an indoor room?
Consider the layout
Set up your outdoor spaces with how you want to use them in mind. Want conversation in your outdoor lounging area? Try a sofa in the back with two accent chairs on either side, angled at 90 degrees. Trying to divide up a big open space? Create zones for lounging and dining.
Remember to consider traffic flow and give people plenty of space to walk around your furniture. We recommend a minimum clearance of 18 inches to give people plenty of room to move.
You can play with our 3D room planner to try different arrangements for your outdoor furniture. Even better, ask an Ethan Allen designer to plan your space for you.
Accessorize, accessorize
Ready to shop?
To see our most popular options, start shopping our collection of luxury outdoor furniture and outdoor décor.
To receive a one-of-a-kind 3D plan for your outdoor space and to get recommendations for furniture styles, fabrics, and accessories try our design service—it’s always complimentary.
