Outdated Patio Furniture Trends You Need To Let Go Of

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Whether your goal is to make your patio the ultimate outdoor entertaining destination or you just want to create a cozy place where you and your loved ones can hang out, keeping up with design trends is important. It can help you make sure that your outdoor area is as attractive as it is functional, helping everyone truly enjoy their time in the space. Trends are just that, however: trends. So, while your patio furniture may have enhanced the aesthetics of the patio just a few years ago, it may no longer be delivering that same benefit today.

Learning about which patio furniture trends have had their moment in the sun and are now considered outdated can help you refresh your space, and ensure you don't invest in pieces that are destined to look dated before they've even left the shop floor. We spoke exclusively with four furniture and design experts to help us learn more about how patio furniture materials and design preferences have changed over the past few years — and which fads have faded and been replaced. Ahead, we'll share the insider insights from our experts to help you discover which changes you might want to make to your outdoor space.

If you follow design trends, specifically those related to outdoor entertaining and seating, then you have probably seen teak recommended countless times. Many people's decks and patios include teak dining sets, benches, outdoor sofas, coffee tables, and many other pieces. However, while there is a timeless charm to this wood material, there are also some disadvantages to teak furniture. And, according to Mitch Brean, lead designer at Stone Yard, it's one of the trends that it is time to let go of. He explains that the wood requires a lot of care to maintain its attractive appearance, including regular cleaning and resealing.

While teak may be out, Brean highlights something else you might want to consider. When speaking exclusively to House Digest, he shared, "Designers and homeowners are embracing Fiberstone and GFRC [Fiber Reinforced Concrete] for their refined aesthetic, weather resistance, and effortless upkeep." If you're looking for furniture that you won't need to constantly stress about cleaning or refinishing, one of these materials might offer an ideal solution. Brean explains, "These materials offer the beauty of natural stone or concrete with far more durability and less maintenance, making them ideal for outdoor furniture that's both graceful and lasting."

Pieces featuring these materials tend to come in solid designs or feature thick surfaces, which ties in with the current trend towards organic modern shapes. For instance, this LeisureMod Modern Side Table from Amazon sports a cylindrical design that's very current, and promises a minimum of maintenance. Outdoor retailers also offer larger items, like GFRC pedestal dining tables.

Most outdoor furniture brands sell coordinated sets with dining tables, chairs, outdoor sofas, chaise lounges, and other pieces. However, according to Andrew White, outdoor expert at Harbour Lifestyle, you might want to think twice about buying a huge, matching set for your deck or patio. During an exclusive interview with House Digest, White shared, "The era of fully coordinated garden furniture is fading fast." Such sets may make the space feel like it is lacking personality. Instead, White explains, "People want outdoor spaces that feel personal, and mixing different finishes and shapes does just that. It's less about everything matching, and more about creating a space that feels developed over time." There's one additional benefit of mixing and matching outdoor furniture pieces that is worth noting. If one piece breaks, such as a lounger, you won't need to purchase a whole new set. Since you already have a variety of finishes, you can save a lot of money by only purchasing one new item.

However, while not everything needs to match, you also don't want to haphazardly purchase an entirely random assortment of furniture pieces and throw them together on your deck or patio. Instead, consider the colors of the frames and cushions to make sure they complement instead of clash. You might also want to think about materials — some mixing is certainly fine, but be careful not to overdo it and turn your backyard into something that resembles a jumbled thrift store salesroom.

If you want to achieve a collected feel with a minimum of effort, an easy place to start is by pairing a set of chairs with a table in a different design or finish. For instance, this set of Erotr Aluminum Rattan Outdoor Dining Chairs could pair perfectly with an option like this Fern Beige Textured Concrete Dining Table, achieving a cohesive look that doesn't feel predictably matchy-matchy.

As their name suggests, egg chairs have a long and rounded back. They have been a popular addition to many backyard designs, offering a comfy space to lounge and relax. However, White explains that these furniture pieces are not as popular as they once were, even a few years ago. "They've become a bit of a garden cliché — they're often bulky, awkward in group settings, and not the best use of space." If you think about his reasoning, it makes sense. Moving these chairs around is difficult because of their larger sizes. Plus, their tall sides can block you from being able to talk to those who aren't sitting directly in front of you.

So, if egg chairs are out, what's trending to take their place? Well, according to White, you should be on the lookout for modular outdoor furniture. He explains, "Modular furniture that can be moved or adjusted to suit every situation is becoming a staple." Something like this Grand Patio 7-Piece Wicker Furniture Set or the Suncoze Outdoor Sectional Furniture can allow you to create multiple configurations, including sectional seating or freestanding seats. White notes that sets like these "are great for switching between lounging, dining, or hosting — whatever the day calls for — so you can make the most use out of your outdoor space."

Overly boxy pieces are another of the furniture trends that are now becoming a thing of the past, both for interior and exterior spaces. Their clean and straight lines, which once made them so popular, are actually a big part of their current downfall, according to White. Such sharp corners and straight lines can make a space feel very uninviting. They just don't match the current trends, which have a stronger emphasis on creating welcoming spaces over ones with an ultra-modern feel.

White explains, "Strong lines and harsh edges are being replaced with rounded, organic profiles. Curved designs create a softer feel and are naturally more inviting — it's a simple shift that can make any setup feel more relaxed and sociable." The Yitahome Wicker Patio Furniture Set and Ovios Patio Furniture Set are two options that feature the curved edges and softer look that White highlights. When shopping for sectionals, prioritize options that have visible legs, instead of solid bases that almost meet the ground. These designs feel current and more elevated compared to the ultra-boxy styles that have dominated stores over the last few years. 

Over the past several years, plastic furniture pieces, such as those made from high-density polyethylene or polypropylene have grown in popularity. These materials are often less expensive than what they're designed to mimic and are generally easy to clean. However, Tony Hoang, the owner of furniture brand What a Room, shares that many people are putting an end to this era. During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Hoang explains, "It's low-cost but screams artificial. It warps, fades, and creaks under weight. That trend's fading fast."

Instead, Hoang explains that people are looking for true authenticity when choosing the best material for their patio furniture. He highlights some new and trendy materials, "such as powder-coated iron, sustainably farmed eucalyptus, and volcanic stone finish materials that carry weight." These substantial and natural materials will help ground your outdoor space, something Hoang explains plastic simply can't do.

While genuine materials do tend to be more expensive, in many cases they can to be a more enduring investment. For instance, powder-coated and wrought iron outdoor furniture can be repainted if it fades or develops rust. There are ways to paint worn-out plastic patio chairs (the traditional, stackable kind, not, woven synthetic rattan designs) but this isn't a long-lasting fix, as the paint is likely to chip over time. Wooden outdoor pieces, while they do require more maintenance, can be freshened up with some wood oil or resealed. Also, when wood weathers, it doesn't look nearly as sad as faded synthetic furniture, and you can refinish pieces entirely, making them look as good as new, something that's not possible with high-density polyethylene or polypropylene.

If you currently have outdoor furniture on your deck or patio, take a second to visualize the setup. Does everything have a uniform height? If so, Hoang says that this is something you might want to remedy. "Another detail is that nobody talks about everything being the same height. Chairs, lounges, and tables are all on one plane. It's monotonous and awkward for entertaining," he says. 

Hoang recommends ending this monotony by integrating some pieces with varying heights. He says, "People are moving toward elevated lounges, taller bistro sets, and oversized loungers that feel like indoor daybeds." Instead of going for a more symmetrical look, as designers may have recommended a few years ago, Hoang notes the importance of creating the right flow. "Different heights create a visual rhythm and naturally guide people through the space," he says. If you want to easily add a little elevation into your seating arrangements, something like this Lynslim Patio Rattan Furniture Chairs Set can give you instant bar-height seating for two, without taking up too much patio space. 

A fire pit is a simple outdoor feature that can add major value to your home. However, this isn't a guarantee if you don't design it correctly. For example, Tony Hoang recommends staying away from fire pit tables with artificial stones. He says, "They attempt to mimic natural stone but end up resembling foam props."

Instead, Hoang recommends doing things right with the real deal. "More homeowners are choosing recessed fire pits surrounded by natural gravel or sleek corten steel bowls that weather beautifully over time," he shares. If you live in the city or the suburbs and don't have enough property to set up a full fire pit, Hoang still recommends against opting for a fire pit table that simply mimics the look of natural stones. For these spaces, he explains, "the trend is toward minimalism and honesty in materials. People are no longer buying into [artificial] luxury. They'd rather have something raw and honest that ages well."

If you're on a budget, but still want an authentic look, you can browse wood-burning fire pit bowls (like this Denkoe Iron Fire Pit, that also doubles as a small table), which tend to be less costly than full-scale fire pit tables. Alternatively you can DIY a fire bowl for a fraction of the price of a custom fire pit. Just be sure to use fire-safe rocks, as certain types of stones can explode when exposed to high heat. 

If you're searching for trendy ideas for designing the perfect patio, one thing you probably won't find is the suggestion to use all-gray furniture. While gray remains a timeless color for home design, professionals are moving away from using it as heavily as it has been over recent years. In fact, during an exclusive interview, Alex Back, the CEO of furniture brand Couch, told House Digest, "All-gray patios have become the equivalent of builder-grade kitchens: safe, cold, and forgettable. Gray-on-gray-on-gray lacks warmth, especially under natural light."

With all-gray being out, what colors are dominating patio design trends today? Look through some design magazines, and you'll likely notice much more color than you've seen over the past few years. As Back explains, that heavily gray look is "being replaced by richer palettes: rust-toned ceramics, olive green accents, powder-coated black metals, and cream-toned cushions." He notes that using a layered approach when adding colors to your patio will make it warmer, more welcoming, and give it more personality and life.

If you have an all-gray patio set, but don't feel like getting rid of it simply because the color isn't "in" anymore, here are a couple of ways you can freshen things up. If the cushions aren't as pristine as they once were, you can consider getting them re-covered in a warmer shade like ivory (providing the rest of the piece is in good condition, and warrants this expense). Alternatively, add some earth-toned scatter cushions into the mix, accent your seating area with some terracotta clay pots or a vase. You may also have smaller gray furniture pieces you can repaint. If you do this, then ditch the gray paint and try these trend colors for 2025.