The main places to buy patio furniture

Patio furniture sells through five main channels: big-box home improvement stores, furniture retailers, warehouse clubs, online marketplaces, and direct-to-consumer brands. Each has different inventory depth, price points, and return policies. Home Depot and Lowe's stock basic sets and individual pieces year-round. Wayfair and Overstock carry hundreds of styles online with shipping included. Costco and Sam's Club rotate seasonal inventory at lower prices if you have a membership. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you buy used pieces locally. Brands like Polywood and Teak Warehouse sell direct from their websites, cutting out the middleman but requiring you to handle shipping yourself.

The choice depends on what you need: speed, selection, price, or the ability to see and touch the furniture before buying. A basic metal bistro set from Home Depot arrives in days. A custom outdoor sectional from a direct brand takes weeks but costs less per dollar of material. Used furniture from a local seller saves money but offers no warranty.

Key Takeaways

  • Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wayfair stock year-round inventory in hundreds of styles, with delivery included on most orders over a minimum amount.
  • Costco and Sam's Club offer lower prices on seasonal sets if you have a membership, but selection changes monthly and stock runs out faster.
  • Direct-to-consumer brands like Polywood, Teak Warehouse, and Restoration Hardware skip retail markup but charge for shipping and take longer to deliver.
  • Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you inspect used furniture in person and avoid shipping costs, but you have no return option or warranty.
  • Specialty outdoor retailers like Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma Home carry higher-end pieces and offer design consultation, at premium prices.

Big-box home improvement stores

Home Depot and Lowe's stock patio furniture in their seasonal aisles from March through October, with a smaller selection in winter months. Both carry metal frames, wicker, wood, and plastic pieces in the $200 to $1,500 range per set. You can see the furniture in person, test the chair comfort, and check construction quality before buying. Most stores offer delivery for a flat fee or free above a certain order total — check your local store's policy online before you go.

The downside is limited selection compared to online retailers. Home Depot and Lowe's stock what fits their warehouse space, usually 20 to 40 complete sets plus individual chairs and tables. If you want a specific color or style, you may not find it. Return windows are typically 90 days, and you can return items in-store or arrange a pickup if they are too large to carry.

Furniture retailers and department stores

Wayfair, Overstock, and Furniture.com carry 500 to 2,000 patio styles each, from budget metal sets under $300 to designer teak collections over $5,000. Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma Home, and Restoration Hardware offer curated, higher-end selections with design services. These retailers ship nationwide and handle logistics themselves, so delivery times and costs vary by item and location.

Wayfair and Overstock often include free shipping on orders over $35 to $50, making them competitive with big-box stores on price. Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware charge for delivery but offer white-glove service — the delivery crew assembles the furniture and removes packaging. Return policies range from 30 to 90 days, and most retailers accept returns by mail or pickup. Check the product page for the specific return window before you buy, as it varies by item.

Warehouse clubs

Costco and Sam's Club sell patio furniture seasonally, usually from April through September. Membership costs $60 to $130 per year, but prices run 20 to 40 percent lower than big-box stores on comparable sets. A Costco teak sectional that costs $2,500 at Pottery Barn might sell for $1,800 at Costco. Stock rotates weekly, so if you see a set you like, buy it — it will not be there next week.

The trade-off is selection. Costco and Sam's Club stock 5 to 15 complete sets at any given time, not hundreds. You cannot special-order a different color or size. Return policies are generous — Costco takes returns up to two years after purchase, and Sam's Club up to one year — but you must return items to the warehouse in person, not by mail. If you live near a warehouse and are flexible on style, the savings justify the membership cost.

Online marketplaces and used furniture

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp let you buy used patio furniture from local sellers. Prices are typically 40 to 70 percent below retail because the previous owner absorbed the initial cost. You inspect the furniture in person, see any wear or damage, and avoid shipping fees by picking it up yourself. Payment is usually cash or Venmo, and the sale is final — no returns or warranties.

The risk is condition. Outdoor furniture exposed to sun and rain degrades faster than indoor pieces. Wicker can crack, metal can rust, and cushions can fade or mildew. Ask the seller how long they owned the furniture, whether it was covered or stored indoors, and whether cushions are included. If the price seems very low, ask why — the answer often reveals hidden damage. Inspect joints, seams, and the underside of frames for rust or rot before you commit.

Direct-to-consumer brands

Polywood, Teak Warehouse, Yardbird, and Sunbrella sell patio furniture directly from their websites, cutting out retail markup. Prices are often 15 to 30 percent lower than department stores for the same quality. Polywood specializes in recycled plastic that mimics wood; Teak Warehouse sources solid teak from sustainable forests; Yardbird makes modular metal frames with interchangeable cushions. Each brand has a distinct style and material focus.

The downside is shipping cost and time. Direct brands charge $200 to $800 to ship a sectional or large set, and delivery takes two to four weeks because items are made to order or shipped from a central warehouse. You cannot see the furniture in person before buying, so read reviews and check the return policy — most direct brands offer 30 to 60 days to return, but you pay return shipping. If you know exactly what you want and can wait, direct brands offer better value. If you need furniture fast or want to inspect it first, a local retailer is faster.

Specialty outdoor retailers

Stores like Pottery Barn Outdoor, Williams-Sonoma Home, and local outdoor furniture shops carry curated, higher-end selections with design informed. Staff can help you choose pieces that fit your space, coordinate colors and materials, and plan layouts. These retailers often stock premium brands like Restoration Hardware, Sunbrella, and Frontgate. Prices reflect the service and brand names — expect to pay 30 to 50 percent more than big-box stores for comparable quality.

Many specialty retailers offer in-home design consultations, sometimes free with a purchase over a certain amount. They also handle custom orders — if you want a sectional in a specific fabric or a table in a non-standard size, they can arrange it. Delivery and assembly are usually included in the price. Return windows are typically 60 to 90 days, and some retailers offer extended warranties on cushions and frames.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year is patio furniture cheapest?

Prices drop in late August and September when retailers clear summer inventory to make room for fall merchandise. End-of-season sales at big-box stores and warehouse clubs offer 30 to 50 percent discounts. Online retailers run sales year-round, but the selection of in-stock items is largest in spring and early summer.

Can I return patio furniture if I change my mind?

Yes, but the window varies by retailer. Home Depot and Lowe's allow 90 days; Costco allows two years; Wayfair allows 30 days on most items; direct brands allow 30 to 60 days. Check the return policy on the product page before you buy. Large items like sectionals may require a pickup appointment rather than in-store return.

Is it worth buying used patio furniture?

Used furniture saves 40 to 70 percent off retail, but condition varies widely. Inspect the frame for rust or rot, test joints and seams, and ask how long the previous owner had it and whether it was covered. If the furniture is less than three years old and was stored indoors or covered, used is a good deal. Older pieces exposed to weather may need cushion replacement or frame repair within a year.

Do I need to pay for delivery?

Most big-box stores and online retailers include free delivery on orders over $35 to $50, or charge a flat fee of $50 to $150 depending on distance and item size. Warehouse clubs and direct brands charge $200 to $800 for large sets. Local pickup from Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist avoids delivery fees entirely.

What is the difference between direct brands and retail brands?

Direct brands like Polywood and Teak Warehouse sell only through their own websites and skip the retail middleman, so prices are lower but shipping is slower and costs more. Retail brands like Pottery Barn sell through their own stores and websites plus department stores, so you have more places to buy but pay a higher price to cover retail overhead.