The cheapest patio furniture comes from big-box retailers, online marketplaces, and end-of-season sales
You can find decent patio furniture for less by shopping at stores that prioritize volume over brand names. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart carry basic metal and plastic seating year-round at prices well below specialty outdoor retailers. Online marketplaces like Amazon and Wayfair often undercut in-store prices on the same items, and both offer filtering by price so you can see what's available in your budget before clicking through.
The real savings happen in late August through September, when stores clear summer inventory to make room for fall merchandise. A chair or table marked down 40 to 60 percent in September will cost you far less than the same item in May. If you can wait, or if you're willing to buy mismatched pieces from different sales, you'll spend significantly less than buying a coordinated set in peak season.
Key Takeaways
- Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Target stock basic patio furniture year-round at lower prices than specialty outdoor stores.
- End-of-season clearance in late August and September typically cuts prices by 40 to 60 percent on summer furniture.
- Online marketplaces like Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock let you compare prices across brands and filter by cost before buying.
- Secondhand options through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local thrift stores often have usable pieces for a fraction of retail.
- Metal and plastic furniture costs less upfront than wood or wicker, though wood lasts longer if you maintain it.
Big-box retailers with year-round inventory
Home Depot and Lowe's stock patio furniture in their seasonal sections, with prices starting around $50 to $100 for basic chairs and $150 to $300 for small tables. Both stores carry their own house brands—Threshold at Target, Mainstay at Walmart—which are cheaper than name brands like Suncast or Keter. The trade-off is that house-brand pieces are usually plastic or lightweight metal, and they may not last as many seasons as heavier-duty options.
Walmart and Target refresh their patio sections monthly during warm months, so if you check back every few weeks you'll see new items at low entry prices. Both stores also run weekend sales on specific categories—chairs one week, tables the next—so signing up for their app or email list will alert you when your category goes on sale. These stores don't typically hold inventory long, so if you see something in your budget, buy it rather than waiting.
Online marketplaces and price comparison
Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock let you sort by price from lowest to highest, which cuts through the noise of thousands of listings. Amazon's patio furniture section includes items from dozens of sellers, so you can see the same style at different price points—one seller's $200 table might be $160 from another. Read the reviews carefully: look for comments about durability and weather resistance, not just appearance, because a cheap chair that falls apart in one season costs more than a slightly pricier one that lasts three.
Wayfair's clearance section updates daily and often includes items from their own warehouse that didn't sell. Overstock specializes in closeout furniture, so their prices are often 30 to 50 percent below retail. Both sites offer free shipping on orders above a certain amount—usually $35 to $50—so factor that into your total cost. Check the return policy before buying: Wayfair allows 30 days, while Overstock's policy varies by item, so read the fine print.
End-of-season clearance timing and strategy
Stores begin clearing summer patio furniture in mid-August, with the deepest discounts hitting in late August and September. The exact timing varies by region—stores in colder climates start earlier—but the pattern is consistent: first markdown at 25 to 30 percent off, second markdown at 40 to 50 percent off, and final clearance at 60 percent off or more. If you're flexible on color or style, waiting until the final markdown saves the most money.
The catch is selection shrinks with each markdown. By late September, you may find only a few colors or styles left, and popular sizes (like standard dining chairs) sell out first. If you have a specific piece in mind, set a price alert on the retailer's website or app so you know when it drops to your target price. If you're willing to buy whatever's left, waiting until September gives you the lowest price but the fewest choices.
Secondhand and thrift options
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist often have used patio furniture from people upgrading or moving. Prices are typically 50 to 70 percent below retail, and you can inspect the piece before buying. Look for solid wood or heavy-gauge metal frames, which hold up better than plastic or thin aluminum. Avoid anything with visible rust, deep cracks in wood, or torn fabric that would cost more to repair than the piece is worth.
Local thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army occasionally stock patio chairs and small tables, usually for $10 to $30 each. Inventory is unpredictable, so you have to visit regularly or call ahead to ask if they have patio furniture in stock. Estate sales and auctions sometimes include outdoor furniture lots at low prices, especially in spring when people are clearing out homes. Check your local newspaper's classifieds or online auction sites to find sales in your area.
Material choices that affect price and durability
Plastic and lightweight aluminum are the cheapest materials upfront, costing $40 to $100 per chair. They require little maintenance and won't rust, but they're less stable in wind and may crack or fade after a few seasons of direct sun. If you're buying for a covered patio or a shaded spot, plastic lasts longer because UV exposure is the main thing that breaks it down.
Steel and wrought iron cost more initially—$100 to $250 per chair—but last much longer if you maintain them. They rust if the finish is scratched and they're left wet, so you'll need to touch up paint or explore rust treatment occasionally. Wood furniture (teak, cedar, or pressure-treated pine) costs $150 to $400 per chair and lasts 5 to 10 years with annual sealing or staining. If you're buying on a tight budget and don't want to maintain the furniture, plastic is the practical choice. If you can spend more upfront and don't mind occasional maintenance, metal or wood will give you more seasons of use.
Timing your purchase for maximum savings
The cheapest time to buy is late August through September, when summer clearance is deepest. The second-best time is January through February, when stores clear winter inventory and run New Year sales. Spring (March to May) is the worst time to buy because demand is high and stores have just restocked with full-price merchandise.
If you're buying in spring or early summer, watch for holiday sales: Memorial Day weekend (late May) and Fourth of July often bring 20 to 30 percent discounts. Sign up for email alerts from the stores where you shop most—Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Target, Wayfair—so you know when sales start. Many stores also offer additional discounts to email subscribers, sometimes 10 to 15 percent off a single purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plastic patio furniture worth buying if it's so cheap?
Plastic works well if your patio is shaded or covered, or if you're willing to replace pieces every two to three years. It won't rust, doesn't need sealing, and is straightforward to clean. The downside is it's less stable in wind and can crack if you drop something on it. For a covered patio or a budget-conscious buyer, it's a solid choice.
Can I return patio furniture if it arrives damaged?
Most online retailers allow returns within 30 days if the item is damaged on arrival. Home Depot and Lowe's have similar policies for in-store purchases. Check the specific return policy before buying, especially for heavy items like tables, because return shipping can be expensive. Some retailers will issue a refund without requiring you to ship the item back if it's too heavy or bulky.
What should I look for when buying used patio furniture?
Check the frame for rust, cracks, or loose joints. Test the stability by pushing on the seat and back. Look at fabric or cushions for mold, mildew, or tears that would be expensive to repair. Avoid anything that smells musty, as that usually means water damage. A solid frame with minor cosmetic damage is worth buying; structural problems are not.
Do I need to treat or seal new patio furniture?
Plastic and painted metal don't need treatment. Wood furniture should be sealed or stained within a few months of purchase to prevent weathering and rot. Untreated wood will gray and crack within a season or two. If the furniture came with a finish, follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintenance intervals.
Where can I find patio furniture sales alerts?
Sign up for email lists at Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Target, and Wayfair. read their apps to get push notifications about sales. Follow RetailMeNot or Slickdeals for user-posted coupon codes and sale alerts. Check local store websites in early August and January to see when clearance starts in your area.