Maybe it's time for some new outdoor furniture, but your budget won't bend. Like other potential purchases, you can work more closely toward your goal if you have an open mind and do some creative searching. Stores that specialize in patio furniture year 'round often carry high-end, deep-seating brands, but are less likely to hold incredible sales. Look beyond the obvious and traditional sources and you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
In some cases, inexpensive translates into next-to-nothing or free. Enjoy the hunt -- the challenge is what makes it fun and more meaningful when you find your "treasure."
First up: Thrift, Antique, and Architectural Salvage Stores
Cheap Patio Furniture: Thrift, Antique, and Architectural Salvage Stores
The thrill of it all -- you never know what to expect when you walk into a consignment store, antique shop or a place that sells architectural salvage. Pricing is often at the discretion of the owner or employees. Sometimes they don't know what's valuable or collectible, maintaining the belief that new is better than old. This is when you can swoop in and score a highly collectible midcentury Santorini or Woodard wrought-iron chair or dining set.
Habitat for Humanity has opened numerous ReStores throughout the United States and Canada, where they sell reusable and surplus building materials, household fixtures, furnishings and appliances to the public. Since the financial crisis, consignment stores have increased their business.
Next: Yard Sales, Garage Sales, and Estate Sales
Yard Sales, Garage Sales and Estate Sales
Yard sales are often held on Saturday mornings. If the sale is advertised or signs are posted the night before, diehards often show up early, sometimes before the sellers have awakened or hauled their stuff outside. As with flea markets, collectibles that are good deals will be the first to go, so if you're want that wicker porch rocker mentioned in the ad, you'd better be there first thing.
If you're more of a casual cruiser, the kind who slowly drives by a yard sale to survey the merchandise without parking your car, you can cover lots of ground on a Saturday morning.
While estate sales are more firm on their prices, you can always negotiate. Be reasonable, though. If they wanted to give it away, they'd donate their stuff to a charity. If you're too cheap, you'll lose the deal.
Next: Shop Sales for Deep Discounts
Shop the Sales for Deep Discounts Off Outdoor Furniture
Check for sales -- both online and at nearby retail stores -- that carry outdoor furnishings as a seasonal item: Target, Walmart, Kmart, Sears, Pier 1 Imports, IKEA, Restoration Hardware, CB2 and Cost Plus come to mind. Outdoor patio furniture is usually in stores and available online in March, and retailers start reductions on garden furnishings right after the Fourth of July, to make room for back-to-school supplies.
Discounts on patio furniture -- or any seasonal items, for that matter -- usually start at 25 percent, then jump to 50 percent off. At this point in price reductions most of the furniture is purchased. If you want to hold out for 75 percent off, you can wait two or three more weeks, although the selection will be limited.
Next: Ebay and Craiglist
Looking for Budget Outdoor Furniture: Ebay & Craigslist
Ebay rattled the livelihoods of antique shops and was one of the online shopping pioneers. Photos, thorough descriptions and a dealer rating system have taken away most of the concerns for even the biggest skeptics. You can find virtually any type of outdoor furniture -- new, old, basic, collectible -- for various prices. To avoid shipping fees, do an "advanced search" and look for auctions in your region.
Craigslist is more what Ebay was like in its early days, before everyone caught on. Try a local search under terms like "outdoor furniture", "patio furniture" or "wrought iron patio" if you're seeking something specific. Several other online retailers/resellers have appeared on the scene in recent years. ?
Yard sales are often held on Saturday mornings. If the sale is advertised or signs are posted the night before, diehards often show up early, sometimes before the sellers have awakened or hauled their stuff outside. As with flea markets, collectibles that are good deals will be the first to go, so if you're want that wicker porch rocker mentioned in the ad, you'd better be there first thing.
Next: Buy Off-Off Season
Buy Off-Season, Like Off, Off-Season
No, it's not a typo. Buying off-off season is like purchasing a bikini in below-freezing temperatures. I once wandered into the Christmas tree-packed garden center at Target, and toward the back sat several stacked boxes of ready-to-assemble patio furniture, marked 75-80% off (I can't recall exactly, but it was a substantial markdown). I ending up buying a nice Sean Conway metal settee and two matching outdoor chairs with cushions, all for around $100.
Another suggestion: after the winter holidays, check out the boxes of lights that are marked down. The ones that don't resemble icicles or candy canes might light-up your yard next summer, strung in a tree or a gazebo. Better yet, look for energy-efficient LED lights and save even more money.
Next: Make Your Own Outdoor Furniture
Do the DIY Thing: Make Your Own Outdoor Furniture
During the post-World War II housing boom, families enthusiastically embraced the backyard patio-with-barbecue lifestyle. They had skills, and weren't afraid to tackle lumber, a hammer, wrench, and other tools in the garage. How-to books from Lane Publishing/Sunset Books and Better Homes & Gardens featured all kinds of outdoor projects, including how to make outdoor furniture.
Both publishers and others have produced books on this subject for decades.
Some do-it-yourselfers continued the tradition passed down from their parents and grandparents, others are part of the DIY renaissance known as the Maker Movement. If you want to build something contemporary, buy a recently published book on the subject. If you're interested in matching the patio furniture style to the era or architectural design of your house, look for an older book on making furniture. Sources include online bookstores and libraries.
Next: Repair and Re-cover What You Already Have
Finding Cheap Outdoor Furniture: Repairing and Re-Covering
Is a makeover possible? If it's not beyond repair and hired help is capable of repairing or refurbishing a certain piece of patio furniture, then so can you. With a screwdriver, tighten or replace screws. Strip, sand and refinish wood and wrought iron pieces of outdoor patio furniture. Paint it or make or sew new patio cushions and outdoor pillows. Replace a damaged tabletop with one you can mosaic.
Books, magazines and online sites (like About.com) are excellent sources of inspiration
Next: Recycling and Repurposing
Recycling and Repurposing Outdoor Furniture
Recycle, reuse, repurpose. They each take time and creativity. You have to approach repurposing with a wide-open mind. I have an old wooden tea crate inherited from my grandmother that makes a charming outdoor table. I didn’t know what else to do with it, and it didn’t go with my Mid-century Modern furniture indoors, so it’s in an eclectic grouping on my deck that also includes a vintage wrought iron garden settee and a faux-Tuscan planter (rescued as a discard from my mother-in-law's yard before she moved) with one of my succulent designs.
We also have a vintage rusty Coke machine that is a makeshift potting bench.
You have to use discretion here. A stained 1980s mauve velvet sofa with sagging cushions is not going to look good on your front porch or back patio, despite the fact that we’ve all seen old couches on porches before.
Next: Family or Friends Downsizing?
Outdoor Furniture and Accesories
Do you have a friend moving into a smaller house with a smaller yard? What are your friend's plans for the five-piece patio set you've always admired? Ask, politely. Suggest that if he is thinking of selling it, to please give you first dibs on the set.
Since the downturn in the economy, many people have had to move or downsize. Relatives or friends may be moving into a smaller place temporarily and don't want the expense of renting a storage unit.
Volunteer to store some pieces of furniture for them, including outdoor furnishings. If you do end up "babysitting" the patio furniture, make sure you take extra-special care of it, remembering to keep the furniture covered or stored during the off-season and away from extremes in temperature.
Now that you know where to find inexpensive garden furniture, your next step will be to reupholster those tired-looking chair pads. Or maybe you need a new umbrella?
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- Regional Lists: Where to Buy Outdoor Furniture