With the weather warming up and the days getting longer, you’ve probably been itching to spend some time outside. However, if your backyard or patio is in dire need of a revamp, the hard part is finding comfortable outdoor furniture pieces that fit your style and home. If you love more modern and contemporary designs, we’re here to help. Modern outdoor furniture can instantly update your space with clean lines, sleek silhouettes, and a minimalistic vibe. Whether you’re looking for a sectional to lounge in the sun or a modern dining set made to entertain, there’s no better time to invest in stylish patio furniture for the spring and summer.
To help us uncover the best modern outdoor furniture picks on the market, we enlisted the help of designer Hema Persad.
What to look for when shopping for modern outdoor furniture
Persad recommends looking for low-profile pieces, sleek lines, and solid colors when shopping for modern outdoor furniture. She suggests avoiding patterns and sticking to a color palette of one to two colors for a truly contemporary aesthetic. “Fabrics should be outdoor fabrics that will stand the test of time. You can go light or dark or even a bold color, but the key is to keep it monochromatic for a modern look,” she says.
She also reiterates the importance of the material durability when purchasing outdoor furniture. “A lot of modern furniture is made with powder-coated metals, so you’ll want to make sure the materials are properly treated for outdoor use,” Persad says. To make your outdoor pieces last through the seasons and look fresh, she advises covering your furniture when it’s not in use to protect it from the elements as much as possible.
In terms of arranging your outdoor space, Persad recommends “making the outdoor space feel more like a living room with all the same small touches you would use inside.” She creates zones for different activities, whether it’s for eating or lounging around. “Even if it’s all one space, you can visually separate areas using rugs or placing furniture in groups according to what you’re doing in the space,” she says.
One of this year’s biggest outdoor furniture trends is international inspiration, Persad says. “Whether your inspo is Italian or Balinese, you’ll want to focus on the small accessories to get the right feel. Think: lanterns and lighting, side tables with character, throw blankets and throw pillows,” she says.
Ahead, we curated a list of the best and most stylish modern outdoor furniture on the market. Persad particularly enjoys shopping at Article, and some of our favorite brands include West Elm, AllModern, Castlery, Wayfair, and Amazon. From low-profile outdoor couches perfect for firepits and space-saving options for smaller areas like a balcony, keep reading to shop our top picks.
Expert Featured in This Article
Hema Persad is the founder of Sagrada Studio and the art director of “Property Brothers” on HGTV.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Krista Jones
