Outdoor furniture can come with a hefty price tag, leaving many homeowners wondering – why is outdoor furniture so expensive? There are several factors that contribute to the high costs associated with patio, deck, and garden furnishings. By understanding the key reasons behind the steep prices, you can make informed purchasing decisions and potentially save money without sacrificing quality.
Materials Used in Outdoor Furniture
The materials used to construct outdoor furniture play a significant role in the pricing. Since these pieces are meant to withstand the elements year-round, they must be made of durable, weather-resistant, and rot-resistant materials. This often drives up production expenses, which get passed onto the consumer. Here are some of the most common materials used:
Teak
Teak is a premium hardwood that contains natural oils, making it highly waterproof and resistant to decay. It has an attractive golden hue and intricate wood grain patterns. However, teak is relatively rare and takes decades to mature – so it commands a premium price. Expect to pay $500 or more for a basic teak patio dining set.
Synthetic Rattan
Often mistaken for natural wicker, synthetic rattan is an affordable and durable alternative. Made from vinyl, plastic, or resin, it won’t crack, peel, or fade like real rattan. It’s also stain-resistant and easy to clean. Sets made with synthetic rattan are generally in the $300 to $700 range.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, rust-proof, and withstands rain, sun, and saltwater. However, pure aluminum is soft. Most outdoor furniture combines aluminum with other metals like steel for added strength. Aluminum sets typically start around $200 and go up from there.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron has a timeless, classic appeal. It won’t warp or rot over time. However, without proper maintenance, wrought iron can rust. It’s also on the heavy side. Expect to spend $250 and up for a basic wrought iron bistro set.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a clean, modern look. It does not rust and stands up well to sun, rain, snow, and humidity. But it can be dented or scratched. Entry-level stainless steel sets run $500 to $1,200+.
Labor-Intensive Construction
The construction process for outdoor furniture is labor-intensive, especially for higher-end pieces. This meticulous craftsmanship and handiwork drive up manufacturing costs. Here are some examples:
- Welding – Most metal sets require extensive welding to fuse the pieces together. Skilled welders are needed to evenly heat, melt, and bond the metal.
- Weaving – For wicker and rattan furniture, flexible plant fibers must be woven together by hand over a frame. It can take days to weave just one chair.
- Carving – Intricate designs and patterns are carved manually into wood furnishings using chisels, lathes, and other tools. This adds to the time investment.
- Finishing – Multiple coats of marine-grade finishes are applied by hand to seal and protect wooden furniture from moisture. This finishing process can take hours per piece.
- Cushions – Weather-resistant cushions are sewn by upholsterers and often filled with premium foam, down, or synthetics. Labor and materials drive up the costs.
- Assembly – Once constructed, the furniture must be assembled, packaged, and prepared for shipping. This all adds to the human labor expenses.
Brand Name Markups
Like any consumer product, brand name also impacts the price of outdoor furniture. Well-known brands tend to command a higher price tag, even on pieces of comparable quality to lesser-known manufacturers. With a big brand, you are not just paying for the materials and construction. The price includes the brand’s marketing, advertising, endorsements, and recognition.
For example, a three-piece patio furniture set from a luxury brand like Restoration Hardware may retail for $3,000 to $5,000. A nearly identical set from a regional furniture store may only cost $1,000 to $2,000. The difference is the brand name markup.
Shipping Costs
Most outdoor furniture is bulky and heavy, making it expensive for manufacturers to ship from their production facilities to retail stores. Oversized wooden tables, wide sofa sections, and large umbrella bases can take up a lot of cubic space. Weight can also increase freight charges, like with steel, iron, and stone pieces. These shipping expenses get passed along to the customer in the retail pricing.
Shipping costs are also higher if the furniture is sourced and imported from overseas in Asia or Europe. International freight charges drive up the wholesale costs significantly. A container of teak furniture shipped from Indonesia can cost thousands of dollars to transport by sea to North America.
Retail Markups
Once the outdoor furniture reaches retail stores, additional markups get applied before you see the price tag. Local patio and garden stores have considerable operating expenses, including:
- Employee wages and commissions
- High commercial rents for large retail floor spaces
- Utilities like electricity, water, and trash disposal
- Property taxes and business insurance
- Warehouse storage and distribution centers
- Cost of keeping inventory in stock
These overhead costs all contribute to retail stores marking up the manufacturer’s wholesale price 2 to 3 times. This allows the retailers to cover expenses and make a profit. By the time you purchase an outdoor sofa or dining set, you are paying significantly more than the factory price.
Customization Adds Costs
Outdoor furniture can be customized in many ways to suit your exact requirements, but customization adds to the price. Options like:
- Custom fabric, cushion, and finish colors
- Custom dimensions and configurations
- Choice of premium, upgraded materials
- Add-on accessories like swivel wheels or drawer storage
- Monogramming and stenciling of personal designs
All of these custom tweaks require manufacturers to modify their standard production methods just for your order. This interrupts the mass production efficiencies, so pricing is increased accordingly.
Quality Materials Mean Better Durability
Cheaper outdoor furniture made of inferior materials will require replacing sooner. The adage “you get what you pay for” really applies. Higher prices directly correlate with longevity and durability. If you opt for a $500 set made of thin aluminum and cheap polyester fabric, do not expect it to last beyond a season or two before showing major wear and tear.
On the other hand, an $1,800 teak set will likely serve you well for 10 years or longer with proper care and maintenance. So you need to weigh the upfront investment against the years of use you’ll gain. Paying more immediately often saves money and hassle over time.
Added Features Increase Costs
More features, functionality, and amenities mean higher prices. For example:
- Motion furniture – Gliders, rockers, swivels, and recliners that move have added mechanical parts.
- Powered furniture – Sets with USB ports, lights, Bluetooth speakers, and integrated fire pits require electrical components.
- Portable furniture – Folding chairs, rollaway tables, and adjustable umbrellas enable mobility and convenience.
- Weatherproofing – Rain, solar, and antimicrobial treatments add protective benefits.
- Tables with Lazy Susans – Spinning tray tables allow easier serving access.
- Modular components – Sectionals, chaises, ottomans, and other mix-and-match pieces provide flexibility.
While convenient and versatile, these features add to manufacturing and retail costs. Added functionality equates to higher pricing.
Demand Exceeds Availability
Like any commodity, the basic economic principles of supply and demand impact outdoor furniture pricing. If wholesale costs from manufacturers rise due to material shortages or backlogs, retailers will charge higher prices to the end customer to maintain profit margins. When there are more consumers eager to purchase patio and garden furnishings than inventory available, shops can demand top dollar.
Limited stock also gives retailers justification to charge premiums. During peak summer seasons when everyone is wanting to furnish their outdoor living spaces before entertaining, patio furniture flies off showroom floors. Manufacturers and retailers alike can capitalize on this rush by elevating pricing across the board. They know shoppers will pay the inflated costs to get ready for barbecue season.
How to Save Money on Outdoor Furniture
While there are certainly valid reasons for the lofty price tags on outdoor furniture, that does not mean you have to break the bank to furnish your patio, porch, or deck nicely. Here are some insider tips to save money:
- Shop end-of-season clearance sales in fall and winter when stores are liquidating overstock. This is when you’ll find the deepest discounts.
- Scope out big box stores like Costco, Walmart, or Amazon for affordable seasonal pieces you can use for a year or two, then replace.
- Check estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp for quality secondhand scores at a fraction of retail pricing.
- Narrow your search to smaller, lesser known brands that do not spend big on marketing and endorsements. You can often save 30% or more this way.
- Opt for basic rattan, aluminum, or steel sets rather than premium teak, redwood, or shorea. The cost difference can be enormous.
- Forego cushions to chop a third or more off the price. Plush cushions are expensive, but you can buy basic aftermarket cushions later.
- Consider modular components like chairs, ottomans, side tables, etc. that can be purchased as budget allows over time.
- Check for sales, promos, and special financing offers to take advantage of periodic deals and incentives.
- Negotiate pricing at local stores and be open to floor models, scratched and dented items, display sets, and customer returns.
Getting stylish, durable outdoor furniture does not have to drain your wallet if you strategize and search for deals. Do your homework and exercise some patience, and you can outfit your outdoor space nicely without overspending. The higher initial investment pays dividends for years down the road by enhancing your outdoor living and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions related to the high costs of outdoor furniture:
Why is teak furniture so expensive?
Teak is one of the most expensive woods used in outdoor furniture. This is attributed to teak’s durability, weather-resistance, attractive appearance, and scarcity. Teak has a high natural oil content that makes it resistant to water, bugs, and rot. It also has a rich, honey-hued color and beautiful grain patterns. However, teak is relatively rare and only grown in tropical forest regions of Asia. It takes 30-50 years for teak trees to mature enough to harvest. The lengthy growing cycle limits supply, which allows prices to remain high.
Is it cheaper to build outdoor furniture yourself?
In some cases, building your own outdoor furniture can save money over buying pre-made sets. If you have the power tools, skills, time, and ability to source lumber and cushions yourself, you can construct wood sets for less. But for metal furniture, working with steel or wrought iron requires welding and cutting tools that most DIYers don’t own. And designing, fabricating, and assembling intricate sets takes considerable time and labor. So for more complex styles, building it yourself does not necessarily translate to big savings.
What is the least expensive material for outdoor furniture?
Generally, plastic resin is the most budget-friendly outdoor furniture material, followed by aluminum and steel. While inexpensive, plastic resin does not have the elegance, prestige, or durability of natural wicker, teak, or wrought iron. But resin costs a fraction of those pricier materials. Aluminum and steel offer more style and strength than resin at still-affordable mid-range price points.
Is secondhand outdoor furniture a good idea?
If you have time to patiently search, you can find excellent deals on high-quality used outdoor furniture via Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and more. This allows you to get premium sets like teak or wicker at a discounted price. Just be sure to thoroughly inspect secondhand pieces for damage, rot, rust, or missing parts before purchasing. Replacing cushions may be required as well. With a little effort, scoring used scores is a smart way to save.
Should I wait for end-of-season clearance sales?
Definitely. The best way to get substantial savings on outdoor furniture is by shopping clearance end-of-summer sales in August through October. Retailers will deeply discount remaining stock to make room for winter inventory. Markdowns of 50-75% off original prices are common. This is an ideal time to get high-end sets for a fraction of peak season costs. Just make sure to measure your space first so you can take advantage of the deals on properly sized furniture.
Does outdoor furniture ever go on sale?
Yes, outdoor furniture sees significant seasonal markdowns at certain times of the year. In addition to end-of-summer clearances, you can find winter clearance events in January and February as retailers liquidate obsolete models. Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day also bring major promotions both in-store and online. Sign up for email lists and watch for coupons to save around 20-25% on in-season purchases as well. The key is timing and knowing when to take advantage of periodic sales and deals that do pop up.
Conclusion
There are good reasons why maintaining an outdoor living space with high-quality, durable furniture comes at a significant cost. The weather-resistant materials, hand-crafted construction, brand markups, shipping expenses, special features, and retail overhead all contribute to the lofty price tags. While inexpensive at the outset, cheap furniture often requires frequent replacing and ends up costing you more over the long run.
If having stylish, comfortable, and lasting outdoor furnishings is a priority, then bite the bullet and make the prudent investment. This ensures you can enjoy your patio, porch, or deck fully for years of hosting and relaxation without having to replace flimsy pieces every season. But you can absolutely take steps to spend smarter by shopping sales, buying secondhand goods, opting for basic styles, and evaluating your must-have features. With strategic planning and a little extra effort, you can furnish your outdoor oasis in both a durable and budget-friendly manner.