The Best Places to Buy Patio Furniture on a Budget

Cheap patio furniture comes from five main sources: big-box retailers like Walmart and Target, warehouse clubs like Costco, online marketplaces like Amazon and Facebook Marketplace, discount furniture chains, and end-of-season sales at regular furniture stores. Each route has different timing, selection, and quality trade-offs. The lowest prices usually appear in late August through September when retailers clear summer stock, and again in January when winter inventory moves.

The real savings come from knowing where to look for each type of piece. A plastic adirondack chair costs half as much at Walmart as at a specialty outdoor store. A used teak table on Facebook Marketplace might cost one-third of a new one. Warehouse clubs offer solid mid-range pieces at lower per-unit prices if you buy in bulk. Understanding these differences means you can mix sources—buying cheap chairs from one place and investing slightly more in a durable table from another—rather than buying everything at the lowest price and replacing it in two years.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart, Target, and Costco stock basic patio furniture year-round at prices 30 to 50 percent lower than specialty outdoor furniture stores.
  • End-of-season clearance in late August and September offers the deepest discounts, often 40 to 70 percent off, but selection shrinks as items sell out.
  • Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist have used furniture at a fraction of retail price, though you inspect in person and arrange your own pickup.
  • Discount furniture chains like Wayfair and Overstock carry budget lines alongside premium options, so filter by price range to avoid overspending.
  • Plastic and metal furniture costs less upfront but may need replacement in three to five years, while wood or higher-grade materials last longer despite higher initial cost.

Big-Box Retailers: Year-Round Low Prices

Walmart, Target, and Costco stock patio furniture continuously and price it lower than specialty outdoor stores because they buy in massive volume and accept lower profit margins. Walmart carries plastic chairs, metal tables, and basic umbrellas starting around $30 to $50 per piece. Target's selection skews slightly more design-conscious but stays in the same price range. Both stores restock in spring and again in midsummer, so inventory is usually available May through August.

Costco requires a membership but offers better quality for the price in the mid-range—expect to pay $200 to $400 for a four-piece conversation set that would cost $500 to $700 elsewhere. Costco's selection changes frequently and varies by location, so check your local warehouse in person or call ahead. The trade-off is that you cannot special-order; you buy what is on the floor that week.

These retailers rarely advertise patio furniture sales in advance, but prices do drop slightly in June and July as new inventory arrives. Check the store's website or app for current prices before you visit, because online and in-store prices sometimes differ.

End-of-Season Clearance: The Deepest Discounts

The single best time to buy cheap patio furniture is late August through September, when retailers clear summer inventory to make room for fall and winter merchandise. Discounts reach 40 to 70 percent off original prices. A $300 patio set might drop to $90. A $150 lounge chair might fall to $45. The catch is that selection shrinks as popular items sell out, and you are choosing from what remains rather than what you want.

Start checking prices in mid-August at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe's. Many stores mark items down in waves—first 25 percent off, then 50 percent, then clearance pricing. If you see something you like at 25 percent off, wait a week or two; it will likely drop further. However, if it is a popular size or color, it may sell out before the next markdown, so balance patience against the risk of losing the item.

This timing works best if you are flexible about style and color. If you have your heart set on a specific cushion color or chair design, you may not find it at clearance time. Plan to shop in person rather than online, because clearance inventory is not always listed on retailer websites, and stock varies by location.

Online Marketplaces and Used Furniture

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp list used patio furniture from people upgrading or moving. Prices run 50 to 75 percent below retail because sellers want to move items quickly. A $400 teak table might list for $150. A $200 cushioned chair set might be $60. The quality depends entirely on how well the previous owner maintained it, so you must inspect in person before buying.

When shopping used, look for solid wood or metal frames without rust, cracks, or warping. Test cushions for mold or mildew by pressing them and smelling them. Check that all bolts tighten and that chairs do not wobble. Ask the seller how long they owned the piece and whether it lived outside year-round or was stored seasonally—outdoor storage without a cover ages furniture much faster.

Arrange pickup yourself or negotiate a delivery fee. Many sellers will not deliver, so factor in the cost and effort of renting a truck or hiring someone to haul it. For heavy pieces like stone tables or large sectionals, this can add $50 to $200 to your total cost. Lighter items like plastic chairs or small side tables are easier to transport yourself.

Discount Furniture Websites and Flash Sales

Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon, and Wish carry budget patio lines alongside premium options. Filter by price to find pieces under $100, $200, or whatever your budget is. These sites often run flash sales or percentage-off promotions—watch for 20 to 40 percent off codes that appear in email newsletters or on the homepage. Sign up for email alerts from sites you like so you see sales before they end.

Read customer reviews carefully on these sites, especially for budget pieces. A $40 plastic chair with 200 five-star reviews is likely a safe bet. A $40 chair with mixed reviews mentioning that it broke after one season is a warning. Look for reviews that mention how long people have owned the item—if most reviews are from people who bought it less than a month ago, you do not yet know how it will hold up.

Shipping costs can erase savings on heavy items like tables or sectionals. Calculate the total price including delivery before you buy. Sometimes picking up in-store at Walmart or Target costs less than shipping from an online-only retailer, even if the item price is slightly higher.

Furniture Store Outlet Sections and Scratch-and-Dent Sales

Many furniture stores have outlet sections or clearance areas where they sell floor models, returned items, and pieces with minor cosmetic damage at 30 to 50 percent off. Rooms to Go, Ashley Furniture, and local independent furniture stores often have these sections. Items may have small scratches, dents, or faded patches from being on display, but they function normally. If the damage is on the underside or back of a piece, you may never notice it.

Call ahead and ask whether the store has patio furniture in its outlet or clearance section. Some stores only carry indoor furniture. Ask specifically whether they have scratch-and-dent items available, because these are not always displayed on the main floor. You may need to ask a salesperson to show you what is available.

Outlet sections do not advertise sales in advance, so visit in person to see what is available. Inventory changes weekly as items sell and new returns arrive. If you find something you like, buy it that day rather than waiting, because scratch-and-dent pieces sell quickly.

Material Choices That Affect Long-Term Cost

The cheapest patio furniture upfront—plastic chairs and metal tables—may cost more over time if you replace it every few years. Plastic degrades in sunlight and becomes brittle after two to three years of outdoor exposure. Metal rusts if not sealed or painted regularly. Cushions fade and break down in one to three years depending on sun exposure and whether you store them indoors in winter.

If your budget is very tight, buy plastic and metal pieces knowing you will replace them. If you can spend a bit more upfront, teak or cedar wood lasts 10 to 15 years with minimal maintenance—just occasional cleaning and oiling. Aluminum frames with Sunbrella cushions last 8 to 12 years. The per-year cost of a $600 teak set lasting 12 years ($50 per year) is often lower than replacing a $150 plastic set every 3 years ($50 per year), though the upfront cost is higher.

Mix materials strategically: buy cheap plastic chairs that you do not mind replacing, but invest in a solid wood or metal table that will outlast several chair sets. This approach spreads cost over time and lets you upgrade pieces gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly does patio furniture go on clearance?

Most retailers begin marking down patio furniture in late August, with the deepest discounts appearing in early September. Some stores continue clearance pricing into October. Timing varies by location and store, so check in person starting mid-August rather than waiting for a specific date.

Is used patio furniture worth buying?

Used furniture is worth buying if you inspect it carefully for damage, rust, and mold before purchasing. Solid wood and metal pieces hold up well secondhand. Cushioned items are riskier because mold and mildew are hard to remove. Budget pieces like plastic chairs are less worth buying used because they degrade quickly anyway.

What should I look for to avoid buying cheap furniture that falls apart?

Check that frames are solid wood, aluminum, or steel—not particleboard or thin plastic. Test joints and bolts to make sure they are tight. Read reviews mentioning how long people have owned items. Avoid pieces where the cheapest option is the only option; if a chair costs $30 and similar-looking chairs elsewhere cost $60, the cheaper one likely uses lower-grade materials.

Can I negotiate prices at furniture stores?

You can negotiate on floor models, scratch-and-dent items, and clearance pieces, especially if you are buying multiple items. Outlet sections and independent stores are more flexible than big-box retailers. Ask a manager whether they can adjust the price; the worst they can say is no. Big-box stores like Walmart rarely negotiate, but furniture stores sometimes offer 10 to 20 percent discounts if you ask.

Is it better to buy all my furniture from one place or mix sources?

Mixing sources usually saves money and improves quality. Buy cheap plastic chairs from Walmart, a solid table from a used marketplace, and cushions from a discount site. This approach lets you prioritize durability where it matters most and save money on pieces you do not mind replacing.