When is the best time for patio furniture purchase?

Unless you live somewhere the weather is warm year-round, you probably don’t think about sprucing up your outdoor area until the temperature heats up. But if you want to get a deal, you need to think about this purchase a lot earlier, because the best time to buy patio furniture is not when folks want it the most.

If you buy at the right time, you won’t just score a discount — you’ll also have plenty of options to choose from.

You’ve probably noticed certain categories of items are marked down at certain times of the year. That means the best time to buy patio furniture may be different from the best time to buy a TV, a hot tub or even indoor furniture. When eyeing the best outdoor furniture brands, consider these tips for bringing their coveted pieces home at budget-friendly prices.

When Are Best Months to Buy Patio Furniture?

This answer isn’t so cut and dried. If your top priority is getting the latest and greatest in backyard furnishings as opposed to scoring the best price, pay attention to when brands unveil their new lines. That’s when you’ll find items with current color trends and brand designs. But because they’re new, they’ll come with a heftier price tag.

The best time for this type of shopping is typically the end of March and early April. Since supply chain issues are still an issue, ordering early will ensure that your patio furniture arrives by the start of summer.

If finding the lowest price on quality products is the goal, those deals pop up much later.

“The end of season, in August, is when you’ll see a lot of outdoor items being discounted,” says Lex Bombino, a merchant account manager with Skimlinks, a monetization platform for online publishers. “If you want to get that lower price on something you know you’ll need or want for next year, end of summer is the time to look.”

Bombino says markdowns will start around 10% to 20% at the start of the month and increase toward the end. And definitely look for all the Labor Day sales.

Wondering about the real off-season in winter? Retailers are less likely to have patio-furniture inventory at this time, but it’s still worth taking a look, particularly online. Whatever is left is likely to be on clearance to make space for new, impending stock.

♦ Best time to buy patio furniture

March and April for the best selection; August for the best prices

Worst Time to Buy Patio Furniture

Much like the best time to buy patio furniture, the worst time depends on what you’re looking for and how much off-season storage you have. Ultimately, if you’d prefer not to pay full price (who wouldn’t?), the worst time to buy is the start of warm-weather season.

While Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are obviously big holidays for sales, you aren’t likely to find the best deals then. If it is on sale, it will likely be marked down by only about 10% to 15%. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find markdowns when retailers receive their new shipment of inventory.

If you wait until the end of August for that big blowout clearance sale, inventory may be limited, so factor that into your shopping decision as well. Is it worth it to possibly miss out on a patio set because you’re waiting for even further reductions?

Tips for Buying Patio Furniture

Whether you’re furnishing an outdoor space for the first time or replacing an old set, keep these helpful tips in mind.

• Consider the materials: If you want outdoor furniture to hold up over time, look for pieces made of teak. Strong and durable, it stands up well to various environmental elements. “Furniture made from plastics are probably going to be less costly, but they aren’t as durable,” Bombino says. “And high-end furniture that’s metal will need to be covered during the winter or stored somewhere indoors.”
• Be mindful of buying used patio furniture: Someone else’s trash may be your treasure, but only if it has been well maintained. If you’re checking yard sales or online groups, inspect the pieces for any major wear and tear, like cracks. If the structure is sound, you can spruce them up with fresh outdoor pillows.
• Look for one-off deals: If you’re searching an online retailer like Wayfair, check for open-box deals. That means that the product was likely returned because it didn’t suit the original buyer’s needs. Retailers will mark down these items. If you’re shopping in person, floor sample sales can be a great way to get a killer deal on a coveted item. For patio furniture, you’re likely to see floor samples on sale at the end of the season.
• Try negotiating: Unless you’re dealing with a secondhand seller on a site like Facebook Marketplace, your opportunity to negotiate will be strictly in person. Your best bet will be with pieces that appear to be estranged from a larger collection — an outdoor coffee table without its matching chairs, or lone pieces of a sectional sofa. Negotiate with a store manager to but these orphaned furniture pieces at a discount. Floor samples are also likely up for negotiation because they may endure some wear and tear in the store.

Where to Buy Patio Furniture

“Sometimes people forget that The Home Depot and Lowe’s sell outdoor furniture, as well as indoor furniture,” Bombino says. “These are really great places to shop, even if it is last minute. If you need to grab patio furniture quick, look online and see what’s available for in-store pickup.”

Be sure to check out:

• The Home Depot;
• Wayfair;
• Amazon;
• Castlery;
• Overstock;
• West Elm.

How Long Should Patio Furniture Last?

Well-made and well-cared-for patio furniture can last a decade or more, but there are variables. The life span of outdoor furniture depends on what it’s made from. Teak wood holds up best to the elements. Wrought iron is also durable.

How Much Should I Spend on New Patio Furniture?

A small patio conversation set typically retails for around $250, while full outdoor dining sets can hover around $2,500 (less if you only need seating for four). Patio sofas and sectionals can run anywhere from $500 to $3,000. Assess your budget and look for the best quality pieces you can afford.