There’s truly no better way to relax and unwind at the end of the day than by spending time outdoors, especially if the weather permits it. So, if you’re one of these people who enjoys this invaluable outdoor time, then you might want to consider purchasing some new outdoor furniture to help bolster your set up.
One of the most important sets of outdoor furniture you can invest in is a conversation set, which typically contains outdoor chairs, a sofa, ottomans, and other decorative pieces. A conversation set is generally thought of as a casual set of outdoor furniture that is meant for lounging and relaxing, so basically look at it as your backyard living room.
They make your outdoor space super comfortable, meaning that you’ll want to spend even more time outside, which is never a bad thing. They also come in a variety of sizes, styles, and colours, which is why it’s so important to take the time to consider all the potential factors that can make the process easier (or more difficult).
What to Consider When Buying a Patio Conversation Set?
How Large of a Set Do You Need
One of the most essential aspects to consider when you’re buying a patio conversation set is the overall size of the unit at hand and the amount of space that you have available. You might think at first glance that you’ve guessed the dimensions just right, but there’s nothing worse than mismeasuring, and forking up even more money for an alternative. Not only is it beneficial to take note of the exact dimensions, but it’s also a good idea to grab some durable tape, and markdown where you’d like to place the patio set beforehand.
Simply layout a design for where you want your patio set to go, mark down the expected spaces with tape, and measure it out. This way, you’ll know for sure whether or not the unit will fit into the desired space. Take into account all of the pieces that come with it, the number of seats, and the total dimensions of the finished product.
The Comfort Level
The whole point of outdoor furniture is to sit back, and relax, so, you’ll want to make sure that it’s comfortable. Nothing’s worse than investing all of your hard-earned money into something that you think will be comfy long-term, only to later realize that it’s completely unbearable. The biggest area to focus on when it comes down to the cushioning, is to choose (or use) good-quality outdoor fabric that is fade and mildew-resistant.
When it comes to comfort as a whole, a large part of this is going to come down to the materials used. Be aware that this furniture will be outside for long periods of time, so you’ll need upholstery and materials that are able to withstand these nasty weather conditions. For the frame itself, aluminum is a popular choice for patio furniture as it’s tremendously affordable, doesn’t rust or fade, and it’s incredibly lightweight. While other patio sets are often made with steel, which is much heavier than aluminum, becomes hot in direct sunlight, and will need cushions for any level of comfort. The main pro for using steel is that stainless steel is rust proof, so upkeep is minimal.
Other desirable materials are acacia wood, teak wood, cedar wood, and rattan/wicker, all of which present certain advantages and disadvantages depending on their environment, and upkeep. As for the fabric, make sure it’s made with either acrylic, olefin, or polyester material, and that the foam used inside is either open cell, closed cell, polyurethane, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam. Keep in mind that if chairs or sofas don’t come with cushions (which most do), then you can always buy or make your own. Though, to keep your furniture in the best condition possible, it’s often advised to tuck away your cushions or fabric items after each use, to help protect them from the elements long-term.
What Are You Willing to Spend? (The Price)
The final point that’s not to be forgotten about is your budget. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how big, or luxurious the item is. If it doesn’t fit within the price range that you set out for initially, then don’t bother. Generally speaking, you should never feel obligated to step outside of your comfort zone price wise, just to conform to ‘having nice things’.
There are plenty of less expensive (yet durable) materials that can work just as well, on top of numerous seasonal sales that you can take advantage of throughout the year. Also, consider checking out yard sales or thrift stores, as there’s lots of hidden value in these locations as well. With all that said, it is worth mentioning that you can save yourself a lot of money (and headache) in the long run, by investing in a durable, long-lasting (and slightly more expensive) alternative.
Top 10 Best Patio Conversation Sets Under $1000
1. Wisteria Lane Patio Conversation Set (Best Deal)
The first patio conversion set on our list is presented to us by Wisteria Lane with their gorgeous 4-piece set of wicker furniture. This stylish design comes with 4-inch thick lofty sponge padded cushions for additional comfort and relaxation, as well as ergonomic seating with wide armrests and seatbacks to ensure long and peaceful stays.
Each piece is also constructed from a durable galvanized steel material, as well as commercial-grade hand woven weather-resistant PE rattan that won’t fade or rust. Plus, the table comes with tempered glass that allows for quick and easy placement of drinks, meals, or decorative pieces. All in all, the Wisteria Lane Patio Conversation Set easily presents the most value of any patio set on our list. Masterfully blending comfort, with style, and affordability.
2. PURPLE LEAF Patio Conversation Set
Another exceptional alternative is the PURPLE LEAF Patio Conversion Set. The unique thing about this set is the European-style rope design that’s featured throughout. Each piece is hand-woven with weather-resistant olefin rope that ensures long-lasting quality, as well as modern elegance. The frame itself is also not to be questioned, with a durable lightweight aluminum frame that easily configures numerous different layouts.
Also featured with the PURPLE LEAF Patio Conversion Set is all-weather polyester fabric cushions, all of which are good resilience, soft, and water-repellent. The set comes with two chairs, one loveseat, one coffee table, three seat cushions, and four back cushions. All things considered, the PURPLE LEAF Patio Conversation Set is undoubtedly built to last, and for a remarkably low price.
3. Nealie Modern Outdoor 4-Piece Dark Gray Aluminum Chat Set
The Nealie Modern Outdoor 4-Piece Chat Set is without a doubt one of the best patio conversation sets under $1000. Included with the set is two outdoor aluminum club chairs, one outdoor aluminum loveseat, and one outdoor aluminum table. The frame itself is constructed with a weather-resistant, lightweight aluminum material that’s built to last for years to come. With comfortable cushions, durable construction, and a modern design, this conversation set perfectly combines all of the necessary traits to allow for maximum relaxation.
4. Better Homes and Gardens Powder-Coated Steel 4-Piece Patio Conversation Set
Sliding into our fourth spot on the list we’ve got the Powder-Coated Steel 4-Piece Patio Conversation Set provided by Better Homes and Gardens. The set comes loaded with a stylish loveseat, two swivel chairs, a table, seat and back cushions, and two throw pillows. Each one of the seating cushions are incredibly soft, as they’re filled with polyurethane foam and polyester fiber wrapped in red 100% olefin fabric.
Plus, this conversation set is exceptionally durable as it’s crafted with its strong steel material, as well as a bronze finish, wicker accents, and a tempered glass tabletop. All in all, a more than worthy consideration if you’re in search of a quality patio conversation set that costs less than $1000.
5. Vongrasig 6 Piece Small Patio Furniture Set
Vongrasig 6-Piece Small Patio Furniture Set steals the show as our fifth best patio conversation set that’s also under $1000. This gorgeous outdoor sectional sofa set is made of a solid powder-coated cross structure steel frame that is astoundingly sturdy and entirely rust-proof. Also, the hand-woven pe wicker offers high tensile strength, and water resistance, which helps to make it strong enough to withstand all weather conditions for an extended period of time.
The Vongrasig conversation set includes two corner chairs, three armless chairs, one glass coffee table, and two red throw pillows. Plus, you can even switch the coffee table to an ottoman to allow for more seating. Not to mention that since the wicker material is waterproof and the glass top is removable, this is one of the easiest sets to maintain. With tremendously wide and deep seating and 3-inch thick lofty sponge padded cushions, this set perfectly blends modern-day aesthetics with maximum comfortability.
6. HAPPYGRILL 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set
Another amazing alternative is the HAPPYGRILL 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set, as it’s made with a powder-coated steel material, and all-weather PE wicker to allow for full relaxation all year. The set features two single chairs, a loveseat, and a coffee table as well as a tempered glass table top that is both stable and smooth, making it not only reliable but also easy to clean. Plus, there’s a lower shelf featured on the table to allow for additional storage space.
This design is also incredibly comfortable, with four-seat cushions and four back cushions that are filled with a thick sponge and covered with a soft waterproof polyester fabric. Also, each piece comes with adjustable non-slip feet to enhance overall stability, and prevent any damage to the ground. All in all, the HAPPYGRILL 4-Piece Furniture Set comes with everything that one would need to sit back and enjoy the great outdoors.
7. Cape Town Acacia Wood Outdoor Sofa Set
The Cape Town Acacia Wood Outdoor Sofa Set offers all the benefits and style of an indoor sofa set, but with the durability and all-weather features to be kept outdoors. Since the frame itself is made with sturdy yet stylish acacia wood and the cushions are reinforced with water-resistant fabric.
Nobody can deny the value that comes with this incredible design. The set comes with two club chairs, one loveseat, and one coffee table, with the option of adding either a brown patina or gray finish. Plus, you can switch your cushion colors around to either dark teal, tea, light green or cream, presenting one of the more versatile conversation sets under $1000.
8. Oakside Small Patio Furniture Set (Lowest Price Option)
The Oakside Small Patio Furniture Set is without question one of the best patio conversation sets that is well under the 1000 dollar mark. In fact, this set is actually the lowest priced item on our list, with very minimal differences compared to some of the big competitors.
This stylish yet durable patio set comes with one loveseat, two single-seat chairs, and one coffee table. All of which are made with a rust-resistant strong steel frame material, and weather-resistant wicker rattan for increased longevity. The cushions come with two sets of cushion covers, each of which are removable and incredibly easy to clean.
9. SUNCROWN 7-Piece Outdoor Patio Furniture Sofa Set
The SUNCROWN 7-Piece Outdoor Patio Furniture Sofa Set masterfully blends style with comfort, while still (somehow) managing to keep the price at a reasonable rate. The entire sofa is made with a coated steel frame structure that is rust-resistant and designed for long-term use. The frame is covered in high quality synthetic polyethylene (PE) wicker that is weather, UV, fade, and water-resistant (as well as environmentally friendly).
The set itself comes with four chairs, two corners, one table, and thick cushions for all pieces. All things considered, the SUNCROWN 7-Piece Outdoor Patio Furniture Sofa Set is undoubtedly one of the most reliable outdoor furniture sets on the market.
10. Best Choice Products 4-Piece Wicker Patio Conversation Furniture Set
Rounding out our list of top ten best patio conversation sets that are also under $1000, we’ve got the Best Choice Products 4-Piece Wicker Patio Conversation Furniture Set. This design features two single chairs, one loveseat, and a table, all of which are constructed with all-weather wicker that is handwoven over a steel frame.
While the weather-resistant cushions prevent fading and wear from the wind and rain, allowing for full use year-round. Plus, the wicker coffee table comes with a removable, tempered glass top, and each cushion cover is soft and machine-washable. Making this one of the easiest patio sets to maintain, and all for less than $1000.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you love hosting friends for casual get-togethers or even just spending quality time at home, you need to ensure that your outdoor space can accommodate such entertainment and relaxation needs. This is where one of these stylish conversation sets comes into play.
A conversation set is perfect when you just want a few pieces of furniture to seat a smaller crowd, or just as a nice place to relax for an afternoon reading session. The truth is that there are countless options online, and a number of configurations that you can shape to best match your home decor.
So long as you keep this guide by your side, you should have no problem finding the perfect patio conversation set under $1000 for your home space.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.