The best time to buy patio furniture is between the months of August and October. During this time, patio furniture often goes on sale because stores are clearing out their summer items for colder weather inventory.
Of course, there is a lot more to know when it comes to great patio furniture savings. You also have to know why certain times are better suited for patio furniture sales, as well as alternative ways to save money. That way, you can get your full money’s worth from your patio furniture.
In this guide, we cover all of that and more. Outdoor- reading to learn when patio furniture goes on sale and how you can save money while decorating your patio with outdoor-friendly furniture.
When Is the Best Time to Save Money Buying Patio Furniture?
If you want to save money buying patio furniture, the best time to shop is between the months of August and October. During these months, the patio furniture will be on sale, but the pickings won’t be too slim either.
The further away you get from summer, the more you will be able to save. For example, many stores put their patio furniture on sale for about 20% off in August. By October, these savings can jump up to 70%. The problem with waiting until October is that there won’t be many products to choose from.
Occasionally, you can find patio furniture during November and December on sale. By this point, most of the patio furniture is not in the inventory anymore, but it doesn’t hurt to look. You can expect this patio furniture to be on sale as well.
Difficulties Buying Patio Furniture in the Spring and Summer
Shopping for patio furniture during the fall and winter is the smart choice for many reasons, not just because of prices. During the spring and summer, it can be difficult to find patio furniture, let alone affordable patio furniture or patio furniture you love.
From about March to July, stores see an influx of patio furniture purchases because these are the months that people spend the most time outside. According to the laws of supply and demand, these prices are often inflated. Sales are practically unheard of during these months.
To make matters worse, there is often limited stock and availability. After all, everyone is on the hunt for the same patio furniture as you. Some stores may offer to get the product shipped in, but this often results in long shipping delays, further making the purchase less worth it during these months.
Needless to say, buying patio furniture in the spring and summer is highly difficult. If you can manage it, think ahead by shopping for this furniture during the fall and winter so you can avoid these difficulties.
Pros Buying Patio Furniture in the Fall and Winter
Whereas there are a lot of difficulties in buying patio furniture in the spring and summer, there are a ton of benefits to purchasing in the fall and winter instead.
As we’ve already touched on, the best prices on patio furniture happen during the fall and winter. During the winter season, stores want to get rid of their inventory to make way for the cold-weather supplies. They will put the patio furniture at a discount to hopefully get rid of the products faster.
Products will be even further discounted for the fact that these models will now be a year old. The vast majority of outdoor furniture looks the same from year to year, though. What this means for you is that you get to enjoy the prices of last year’s models, even though this year’s models look the same.
Plus, purchasing patio furniture in the fall and winter means that you can start enjoying the sunshine as soon as it warms up. You don’t have to waste your time shopping once spring comes around. You already have your patio furniture ready to go when you want to use it.
Why Buy Patio Furniture in Spring and Summer?
Even though there are a lot of good reasons to buy patio furniture in the colder months than the warmer ones, there certainly are reasons to buy patio furniture in the spring and summer.
For example, these months are when you need patio furniture the most. If you don’t have any furniture when it’s beautiful out, buying the furniture during the summer may very well be worth it. The prices may be higher, but you will get to have the furniture when you need it.
You also will likely have more furniture options. Because the spring and summer months are when patio furniture hit high popularity, there are more styles and options available. This will allow you to get the perfect patio furniture based on your décor and style, albeit at a high price.
Since there are some benefits of purchasing patio furniture in the spring and summer, don’t discount warm month spending. Certainly weigh the pros and cons against one another to determine the best time to purchase furniture patio based on your budget, needs, and wants.
As a rule of thumb, wait until fall or winter to purchase patio furniture if you want the best savings, but don’t discount spring and summer shopping if you absolutely need furniture to complement your home and make the warm weather more enjoyable.
Alternative Ways to Save Money Buying Outdoor Patio Furniture?
Searching for sales and deals is not the only way that you can purchase outdoor patio furniture on a budget. Here are some alternative ways you can save money on these outdoor essentials:
Buy Used Patio Furniture
Used patio furniture is super easy to find. You can look online or visit in-store locations to purchase patio furniture that has been lightly used by past owners.
Facebook Marketplace is a great place to search. It will allow you to see lightly used products and get them for a steal. Make sure to be safe if you decide to meet up with anyone to purchase their used patio furniture, though.
If you don’t like using Facebook Marketplace, you can find used patio furniture through more traditional routes. Visit garage sales or thrift shops to see if there are any patio furniture sets that you can buy.
Don’t be afraid to ask around either. Many homeowners are always redoing their homes, which means they get rid of and buy new patio furniture all the time. Ask your friends and family directly and post on social media.
Build Your Own!
In today’s society, it’s almost second nature to assume that you have to purchase items through stores. This thought is certainly true of furniture. Even so, you can save a lot of money by building your own furniture and patio décor.
There are tons of free plans you can find online for creating your own patio furniture. You can use 2x4s, pallet wood, or even leftover lumber to create attractive and comfortable furniture. You could also get creative by carving logs, pouring concrete, and using other less frequent materials.
Honestly, the options are endless if you decide to build your own patio furniture. You are only limited by your imagination.
Building your own patio furniture will allow you to save a lot of money. All the while, you get to enjoy the process of making the décor and will be reminded of your good memories every time you sit down.
Convert Indoor Furniture to Outdoor!
If you aren’t super crafty and not up for the task of creating outdoor furniture from scratch, you could convert indoor furniture to outdoor furniture instead. This is slightly crafty, but it doesn’t take much experience or skill.
For best results, select wooden indoor furniture. The wood will look clean and add a lot of life to your patio area. All you will need to do is seal it with an exterior sealer. The sealer will help to protect the furniture from the elements outside.
You can paint and add some additions to the indoor furniture if you’d like. This will further make the process craftier, but it won’t require extreme carpentry skills
Is Patio Furniture Worth it?
In most cases, patio furniture is certainly worth the investment. For starters, it simply increases the curb appeal of your home. The first thing that anyone sees of your house is the outdoor area. Adding patio furniture makes your home look put together and finished.
Furthermore, patio furniture will allow you to enjoy the outdoors comfortably. Since our society has become so digitalized, getting outside is more important than ever. Get your daily dose of vitamin D by investing in patio furniture and enjoying the view whenever the weather is pretty.
With that being said, patio furniture isn’t always worth it. You might not want to invest in patio furniture if you are renting since you might have to transport the furniture at a later date and the value of the home doesn’t much matter to you. If you know you will not use it, there’s no point in spending your money.
If you are unsure whether or not you should buy patio furniture, we certainly recommend trying some of our money-saving tips first. That way, you can see if patio furniture is worth it for you without spending a fortune. Buy used or shop for sales to make sure you get the best deal.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the best time to purchase furniture is August to October because this is when the furniture will be on sale. Although you might have more options during the spring and summer, these warmer months come with higher price tags and difficulties.
If you can’t wait until fall to purchase patio furniture, there are other ways you can save money. Instead of shopping for brand new patio furniture, shop used or make your own. These budget-saving tips can be super fun and get you the furniture you want at a discount.
No matter the time of year, don’t hesitate to shop around to make sure you get the best deal based on the competition and offerings. The extra work will certainly be worth it with those increased savings.
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.