The best places to find cheap patio furniture

Affordable patio furniture lives in three main places: big-box retailers that stock seasonal inventory, online marketplaces where you can compare prices across sellers, and secondhand sources where you buy what someone else no longer wants. The cheapest option depends on what you need — a basic metal chair costs less than a cushioned lounge, and timing matters because prices drop sharply at the end of summer.

You will find the lowest prices on new furniture at Walmart, Target, and Costco, which carry basic metal and plastic pieces year-round and mark down seasonal stock in August and September. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you search by location and often have barely-used sets from people who moved or changed their minds. Estate sales and thrift stores occasionally stock patio pieces, though selection is unpredictable.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart, Target, and Costco stock basic patio furniture at the lowest prices, with deeper discounts in late August and September.
  • Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you find secondhand furniture in your area, often at 40 to 60 percent below retail price.
  • Online retailers like Wayfair and Amazon have frequent sales and price-match guarantees, so comparing across sites before buying saves money.
  • Timing your purchase for end-of-season clearance or holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day) cuts costs significantly on new furniture.
  • Inspect secondhand pieces in person for rust, broken welds, and cushion condition before committing, since you cannot return used items.

Big-box retailers with year-round stock

Walmart carries the cheapest new patio furniture you will find, with basic metal chairs, tables, and loungers starting around $30 to $50 per piece. Their selection is small — mostly aluminum frames with sling fabric or straightforward plastic — but the prices are hard to beat. Target stocks similar pieces at slightly higher prices, usually $50 to $100 per chair, but their designs are more varied and the build quality is a step up.

Costco requires a membership but offers better-quality furniture at competitive prices, with sets (table plus four chairs) starting around $300 to $400. Their inventory changes seasonally and sells out faster than Walmart or Target, so if you see something you want, buy it that trip. All three stores mark down patio furniture heavily in late August and early September when they clear space for fall merchandise — expect 30 to 50 percent off original prices.

Online retailers and price-matching

Wayfair, Amazon, and Overstock let you filter by price and compare hundreds of options without leaving home. Wayfair's clearance section rotates constantly and often has 40 to 60 percent discounts on overstocked items. Amazon's prices fluctuate daily, so using a price-tracking tool like CamelCamelCamel shows you whether the current price is actually low or just marked up from a lower baseline.

Many online retailers price-match competitors, so if you find the same piece cheaper elsewhere, ask them to match it before you check out. Shipping costs money — a heavy table or set of chairs can cost $50 to $150 to deliver — so factor that into your total before comparing to in-store prices. Read reviews carefully on Amazon and Wayfair, because cheap furniture often has assembly issues or arrives damaged, and returns for heavy items are a hassle.

Secondhand sources and what to inspect

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are where people sell patio sets they no longer use, often at 40 to 60 percent below what they paid. Search your city or nearby towns and message sellers to ask about condition, how long they owned the piece, and whether cushions are included. Many sellers post photos from multiple angles, which helps you spot rust, cracks, or fading before you drive to see it.

When you arrive to look at a secondhand piece, check the frame for rust spots (especially on metal), test joints and welds by gently pushing on the piece to feel for wobbling, and inspect cushions for mold, stains, or tears. Plastic furniture cracks in cold weather, so ask how long the piece has been outside. Metal furniture that has been left uncovered will have surface rust you can clean, but deep rust that flakes or pits means the frame is weakening. Never buy something you cannot inspect in person, because you have no recourse if it arrives damaged or misrepresented.

Estate sales and thrift stores

Estate sales happen when someone downsizes or passes away, and their furniture goes to auction or sale. Websites like EstateSales.net let you search by zip code and see what is being sold in your area. Prices are often low because the goal is to clear inventory quickly, and you sometimes find vintage metal furniture or solid wood pieces that cost far more new. The catch is that selection is random — you might find nothing one week and three good sets the next.

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army occasionally stock patio furniture, though it is hit-or-miss. Prices are usually $10 to $50 per piece, making them worth a quick visit if one is near you. Call ahead or check their website to see if they have patio items in stock, since many stores do not carry outdoor furniture regularly.

Timing your purchase for the best prices

Patio furniture goes on sale at predictable times. The biggest markdowns happen in late August and September when retailers clear summer stock to make room for fall and winter merchandise — expect 30 to 50 percent off. Memorial Day weekend (late May) and Labor Day weekend (early September) bring sales at most big-box stores and online retailers, though discounts are smaller than end-of-season clearance.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November) have patio furniture sales, but selection is limited because most retailers have already cleared their summer stock. If you need furniture in spring or early summer, you will pay full or near-full price — waiting until August saves hundreds on a full set. Secondhand prices do not follow a seasonal pattern, but you will have more inventory to choose from in spring and summer when people are thinking about their patios.

What to avoid when buying cheap

The cheapest plastic furniture breaks easily — lightweight resin chairs crack in cold weather, and plastic tables warp in direct sun. If you live somewhere with freezing winters, metal or wood furniture lasts longer, even if it costs more upfront. Thin metal frames rust quickly without a protective coating, so look for powder-coated aluminum or stainless steel if you plan to leave furniture outside year-round.

Cushions on cheap furniture are often thin and absorb water, leading to mold and mildew. If you buy a set with cushions, plan to store them indoors or buy a weatherproof storage box. Assembly instructions for budget furniture are sometimes unclear or missing hardware, so read reviews to see if other buyers had problems before you commit. Damaged items from online retailers are common, so photograph everything when it arrives and report damage to the seller within the return window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest patio furniture I can buy new?

Basic metal chairs and small tables at Walmart start around $30 to $50 each. A straightforward four-piece set (table plus three or four chairs) costs $100 to $200 at Walmart or Target. These pieces are lightweight and have minimal cushioning, but they work for basic outdoor seating.

Is secondhand patio furniture worth buying?

Yes, if you inspect it in person first. Secondhand pieces are often 40 to 60 percent cheaper than new and may be higher quality than budget options. Check for rust, broken welds, and cushion condition before you buy, and avoid anything with deep rust or structural damage.

When should I buy patio furniture to save the most money?

Late August and September offer the biggest discounts (30 to 50 percent off) as retailers clear summer stock. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends also have sales, though smaller ones. If you can wait until August, you will save significantly compared to buying in spring or early summer.

Do online retailers ship patio furniture for free?

Some offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, but heavy furniture often has a shipping fee of $50 to $150. Check the total cost including delivery before comparing to in-store prices, since a cheap chair becomes expensive once shipping is added.

What materials last longest on cheap patio furniture?

Powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel resist rust better than bare metal. Solid wood costs more but lasts longer than plastic. Plastic furniture is the cheapest but cracks in freezing weather and warps in direct sun, so it works best in mild climates or if you store it indoors in winter.