Your alfresco evenings are about to get so much more enjoyable.
Summer is in full swing, and now's the time to move all your entertaining and socializing outdoors (as long as you're not experiencing a heat wave, of course). Perhaps you've realized that your backyard space, particularly your patio, could use a bit of an upgrade. While there are plenty of ways to make this outside area more aesthetically pleasing—such as growing new porch plants, installing chic outdoor lights, and even painting your front door—one of the most functional ways to give your space a little facelift is by choosing new patio chairs and seating.
When selecting new patio chairs, there are a few key factors to consider, such as the materials. Since these pieces will live outside, possibly uncovered, for nearly half the year, you'll want to choose something made from high-quality performance materials that'll hold up to the elements. Shop and decorate for the way you actually want to enjoy your space, especially when you're investing in something that could last you for decades to come if you take care of it properly.
However you want to decorate, just make sure the patio chairs you choose look cohesive with your other outdoor furniture, and pick something that won't get ruined by a little rain. Keep scrolling to check out 24 designer patio chair ideas that are sure to spark your creativity.
As soon as designer Serena Dugan saw this porch, her first thought was, "I wonder if I can fit one of those great hanging porch beds here?" Due to the long proportions of the outdoor area, she was able to hang up two and even add some rocking chairs at the other end.
One way to make your pool patio look straight out of a luxury resort? Line up matching loungers, like designer Amber Lewis did here. The yellow frame matches the yellow stripes on the cabana, giving everything a more put-together and glamorous look.
If you want a more bohemian aesthetic for your patio, choose a woven accent chair (or two) for the decor. Designer Breegan Jane included these playful, rounded ones on her rooftop patio, giving the space a more laid-back vibe.
With a view as gorgeous as the one from this Florida home designed by Janie Molster, you're going to want to enjoy it every chance you get. This is why Molster insists on using weather-resistant furnishings and textiles for her outdoor spaces, such as with these high-performance aluminum patio chairs.
On this patio in the same home as above, Molster hung up an elevated porch swing to add to the vacation vibes from the rest of the home. Even if your home isn't decorated in a beachy blue color scheme, you can still create a more relaxed vibe with the types of furnishings you have.
Whether you're trying to hide away pool toys or extra covers for your patio furniture, choose some seating with built-in storage to make your life a bit easier. Designer Ashley Sharpe chose this custom banquette for the balcony off the primary bedroom of this beautiful home, and you wouldn't even be able to tell that it has built-in storage under the cushions.
Elevate your patio decor by choosing soft chaise lounges for your outdoor area. This serene covered patio by designer Brad Ramsey features two twin chairs that face the lake to create a quiet relaxation spot.
For homeowners who know they want their patio to serve as an outdoor dining room of sorts, consider building a built-in banquette seat, as Linda Hayslett did in our 2021 Whole Home. This stone seating option creates a more formal dining option, as the intention for the area is clear.
Give your patio a relaxed vibe by choosing elevated lounges that lack a frame. These chaise lounges, put in this lower deck designed by Curated Nest for our 2024 Whole Home, are like upgraded floor pillows for adults—they capture the same laid-back, chill style of regular floor pillows, but they don't feel nearly as casual.
Choosing a patio chair with a swivel bottom allows you to take in all the scenery around you, which is a must in postcard-worthy surroundings. Take this floating house designed by Colleen Saglimbeni, for example: the rooftop deck adorned with swiveling patio chairs allows the sitters to enjoy a panoramic view.
Put out patio chairs with a modern edge, like designer Michael Ellison did here around a fire pit. These options from Stahl + Band give this patio a more industrial, modern feel, which is perfect if the interior of your home is sleeker than it is rustic.
Rather than single seats for your patio, make the space a bit more intimate by choosing twin sofas. Designer Susannah Charbin went with modern and low-back mirroring sofas for this terrace area, and it makes the area feel like a lounge.
If your patio is large enough for you to have multiple living sections, choose a variety of chair options. For this patio by Moniomi Design, the team used classic armless dining chairs around the table and hanging chairs a bit further down for lounging and hanging out. Thanks to the furniture, it's very clear that there are two sections in this space.
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The material you choose for your patio chairs is extremely important—it must be durable, long-lasting, and chic. This is why teak is one of the best options out there. The team at Intimate Living Interiors put out teak stools to decorate this outdoor kitchen because they're elegant and weather-resistant. Plus, they won't fade in the sunlight.
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Nothing says "lake house" like an Adirondack chair, and designer Frank Ponterio chose six for this patio space off of Lake Michigan. Adirondack chairs are the quintessential patio chairs, and Ponterio arranged these in a circle around the fire pit to create a conversation pit of sorts and really embrace the summer camp vibe.
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Have fun with your patio chair cushions and choose an elegant pattern or a playful stripe, like designer Bethany Adams did here for her own front porch. The black-and-white print adds a nice contrast to the warm tones that decorate the rest of this outdoor area, and it makes the space feel more homey and personal.
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Make your patio feel more like an outdoor living room by adding some matching ottomans that double as patio chairs. Designer Sheldon Harte decorated this lounge with a matching furniture set around a grand fireplace, and the double ottomans right in front of the fire make the entire area feel like it was plucked from the interior.
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Designer Jeremiah Brent dressed up the indoor-outdoor fabric covering these patio chairs with decorative trim, showing that performance fabric can be extremely stylish. This refined sitting area in the rose garden is as functional as it is beautiful.
Rather than patio chairs, opt for cushioned benches for a cozier outdoor dining area. Designer Tom Scheerer chose double benches to create an elevated picnic table for the covered patio of this Florida home.
Keep a simple look with rattan patio chairs for your outdoor seating area. In this alfresco dining room, designer Tina Ramchandani lined the table with matching rattan chairs that make the space look breezy and elevated.
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