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When warmer weather rolls around, it’s time to take stock of your patio. A few swaps and upgrades can make this outdoor space all the more stylish and ready it for the season. To help you achieve the patio of your dreams, we’ve consulted expert interior designers. They let us in on their favorite patio finds for creating a beautiful and practical outdoor space. Ranging from modular outdoor couch sets to affordable solar lights, here are some interior designer–recommended patio picks.
1. Polywood Adirondack Chair
Elissa Hall, founder and lead designer of EDH Interiors in Portland, Oregon, shares her top product: “One of my top recommendations for patio furniture is the Polywood Adirondack Chair. Made from recycled materials, this chair is not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly durable and weather-resistant.” Polywood’s adirondack chairs come in a few styles, each comfortable but with a different look. We love the Modern Adirondack Chair, featured in our best Adirondack chairs guide. If you want a more classic look, Polywood’s Classic Folding Adirondack Chair comes highly recommended as well.
Get the Polywood Modern Adirondack chair at Amazon for $249.
2. St. Kitts Modular Seating Collection
Alice Moszczysnki, an interior designer at Planner 5D, an online design tool, recommends the St. Kitts Modular Seating Collection from Frontgate. “I think sectionals are the building blocks for your patio,” she says. “This one is made from teak, which can handle a lot of what the weather throws at it. It’s a classic piece to add to your home.” We think this modular outdoor seating is just plain gorgeous, and you have the option to customize your cushions when ordering.
Get the St. Kitts seating at Frontgate starting at $1,724.25.
3. Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
“Solar-powered string lights are a fantastic choice for patio lighting,” says Hall. ”These lights, such as those from Brightech, provide a warm and inviting ambience without the need for electrical outlets. They’re energy efficient and come in various styles, from classic bulbs to lanterns.” Brightech’s lights are pretty much all highly rated, but our top pick is the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights. They’re our top choice in our best solar string lights guide and also performed well in our expert review.
Get the Brightech string lights at Amazon for $39.99.
4. Trex Outdoor Furniture Yacht Club Rocker
Darren D, interior designer and wood flooring expert at ElmWood Flooring in Chicago, Illinois, recommends the Trex Outdoor Furniture Yacht Club Rocker: “This rocking chair is not only stylish but also incredibly sturdy and comfortable. It’s ideal for relaxing outdoors while enjoying a good book or a conversation with friends.” This rocker is cozy and long lasting; it’s another product composed of Polywood plastic lumber, so it’s made to withstand the outdoors.
Get the Trex rocker at Lowe’s for $199.
5. Elite Screens Yard Master Electric
Priyanshi Jain, founder of Pixels and Spaces, a virtual assistant firm, offers a smart recommendation: “Transform your patio into an open-air cinema with a retractable projector screen.” She likes the Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Screen, explaining that it “can be installed easily and stored when not in use, which makes it a great space-saving option for small patios.” An included remote control, magnetic weight bar bracket, and ground stake kit (these last two accessories allow it to stay in place in mild wind) make this screen a worthwhile splurge. Pair it with one of our best outdoor projector picks for a patio movie night setup.
Get the Elite Screens electric screen at Amazon for $1,114.
6. Huron Outdoor Lounge Chair
“When shopping for outdoor furniture, take the climate of your area into account,” says Lindsey Jamison, partner and lead designer of Rumor Designs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. With this in mind, she recommends the Huron Outdoor Lounge Chair. “We love these outdoor chairs because they are stylish, can withstand all weather, have a matching ottoman, and are easy for anyone to buy online.” These chairs are made with a rust-resistant aluminum frame and covered with 100 percent all-weather handwoven cord that’s arranged in a distinctive crisscross pattern.
Get the Huron lounge chair at West Elm starting at $514.99.
7 . Blue & White Hexagonal Garden Seat
Moszczysnki recommends the eye-catching Blue & White Hexagonal Garden Seat from Scully & Scully. The seat is as practical as it is beautiful. “I am a big fan of these as a cute way to add a pop of color or a little visual interest to your space,” she says. “They make it look so put together. Plus the dual functions—it can be a seat or an extra side table if need be.”
Get the Hexagonal garden seat at Scully & Scully for $375.
8. Fab Habitat Outdoor Rug
An outdoor rug is a must-have to cozy up a patio space. Hall recommends Fab Habitat Outdoor Rugs: “[They] can instantly elevate the look of a patio by adding a pop of color and defining the space. They’re made from recycled plastic, making them a sustainable choice that is easy to clean.” These rugs come in a range of styles, so you can find one that suits your tastes. We recommend the Big Sur rug from our Best Outdoor Rugs guide; it has a stylish, colorful ombré design that will beautifully brighten a patio.
Get the Fab Habitat outdoor rug at Amazon for $99.99.
9. Kichler Lyndon Outdoor Wall Lantern
“This lighting fixture combines a modern look with vintage appeal,” says Darren D about the Kichler Lyndon Outdoor Wall Lantern. “It provides excellent illumination and adds a touch of elegance to any patio space. The seeded glass and weathered zinc finish give it a unique and timeless look.” We have to agree—the vintage details make this lantern a lovely pick for illuminating a patio in style.
Get the Kichler Lyndon wall lantern at Lowe’s for $134.99.
10. FDW Hanging Egg Chair
An egg chair can provide comfortable and fashionable seating. Jain recommends the FDW Hanging Egg Chair, saying, “It’s a trendy seating option that provides a cocoonlike embrace, great for curling up with a good book. This chair is made from weather-resistant wicker and is available in a variety of colors and patterns to complement your patio’s aesthetic.” This chair comes at a pretty economical price, and since it has a stand, there’s no need to mount it to the ceiling, making it suitable for open patios and renters.
Get the FDW hanging chair at Amazon for $221.56.
11. Zfnn Solar Garden Lights
The Zfnn Solar Garden Lights add instant whimsy around a patio area, and that’s exactly why Moszczynski recommends them. “These provide excellent ambient light, and they also are so cute if you’re aiming to enhance your garden with a little bit of magic.” She adds, “They remind me of the fireflies we used to catch as kids.” With this nostalgic imagery in mind, we think these lights are an absolutely charming option to brighten up a patio, and they’re solar-powered, too.
Get the Zfnn garden lights at Amazon for $29.99.
The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on [date].
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Refresh your patio with these interior designer–approved finds for your outdoor space.