Choosing outdoor furniture, especially for harsh climates like Texas, can feel daunting. Will it last? Will it be functional? What’s the price tag?! After designing outdoor spaces for our clients for years we’ve learned quite a lot about what works and what doesn’t, and we’re here to share it with you! We’ll walk you through your options of choosing the right material for your lifestyle and climate and what cushions to get that will actually last. Get all the designer tips for designing your outdoor patio and pool and creating a space you love.

Our favorite spot in our Dallas, Texas yard

My husband would be mortified if he knew I was telling you this story, but since he never reads my blog posts, I’m going to tell you anyway. (Sorry Chris!)

Spring has recently sprung in Texas. Both Chris and I love spending time in our yard, soaking it in as everything emerges from winter hibernation. On one such evening, he looked over at me and said, “can you get us some new outdoor furniture this year?” My response was YES (because my response to new furniture is always yes. Duh.) But then he followed up with this:

“I want outdoor furniture that doesn’t get dirty.”

I’ll pause for your laughter. I laughed too. Because apparently my darling, college-educated (and then some) husband thought that there might be outdoor furniture out there that came with a force field that repels bird sh&t and pollen.

Sadly, I had to tell him — and now you — that technology does not exist. (Luckily soap and water does. And he knows where the rags are located.)

Here’s my guide to picking outdoor furniture in Texas. Unfortunately, none of it is self-cleaning. But if you follow the guide below, it will last despite the elements.

Choosing the Right Materials

Teak outdoor furniture- durable yet high maintenance

The most important decision in selecting outdoor furniture is choosing the right material. Texas, specifically, is brutal on outdoor furniture. With high winds, gully-washer rain storms, and summer heat and humidity our outdoor furniture takes a beating. This ain’t California, ya’ll. And you can’t buy the same furniture as they do. So here’s let me lay out all your options, with their pros and cons. And then hopefully you fill feel empowered to pick the right durable patio furniture for your climate.

Wood Outdoor Furniture

In Texas, the only wood you should ever use for outdoor furniture is teak. Do you hear that? Just say no to eucalyptus. It is inexpensive and will absolutely fall apart in our heat. Teak, on the other hand, will hold up. The downside is that teak is high maintenance. Unless you’re willing to embrace the gray color and rough texture of aged teak or have hours each year to devote to sanding and resealing your outdoor furniture, wood may not be the way to go for Texas outdoor furniture. I speak from experience. We have a beautiful outdoor teak sofa that I lovingly refinished every year for 4-5 years. I finally gave up and let it age. I don’t like it as much, but it sure saves me hours of hassle each spring, So go with wood if you dare, but know what you’re getting into!

Example of how teak ages from Country Casual Teak

2. Powder-Coated Aluminum

Another option for outdoor furniture is powder-coated aluminum. That table that my husband wished was self-cleaning? It’s powder-coated aluminum (and cleans up beautifully.) Powder-coated aluminum is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture due to its durability and weather resistance. Here are some of the key benefits of using powder-coated aluminum for outdoor settings:

Weather Resistance: Aluminum itself is naturally rust-resistant, and when finished with a powder coating, it becomes even more capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions. This includes resistance to rain, sun, and even snow, making it suitable for use in various climates.
Durability: Powder coating adds a layer of protection to the aluminum, helping it resist scratches, chipping, fading, and other wear and tear.
Low Maintenance: Furniture made from powder-coated aluminum is easy to care for. It typically only requires occasional cleaning with soap and water to keep it looking new. There’s no need for painting, sealing, or staining.
Lightweight: Aluminum is a relatively lightweight material, making it easy to move and rearrange furniture as needed. Despite its lightness, it remains sturdy and stable under use.

3. Synthetic Resin-Coated Wicker

Generally a less expensive choice than teak or aluminum, fake wicker is another great outdoor option. Just know that all fake wickers are not created equally. I had a friend whose Target synthetic wicker pool chaises melted. Seriously. They shifted and sagged until it felt like you were sitting in a donut rather than a chair. But as long as you’re buying quality, synthetic resin it will hold up great!

4. Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is another great choice for outdoor furniture. One major advantage of wrought iron is the weight. Because another major feature of Dallas weather is high winds. (Side story: my friends trampoline one blew over her 8’ fence into her neighbors yard). If you want to avoid fishing patio furniture out of your pool, wrought iron is a fantastic choice.

Cushions for Outdoor Furniture

Once you have your base layer picked out, let’s cushion those babies. Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about the best cushions for outdoor furnishings:

Fabric
Always opt for Solution Dyed Acrylic on outdoor furniture (commonly called Sunbrella — but that’s a brand name.) While their are lots of performance fabric options for interior upholstery, solution dyed acrylic is the only one I’d use outside. It’s color-fast (won’t quickly be bleached out in the sun) and bleach cleanable (remember the bird sh$t?)
Color
Just say no to white outdoor cushions. For reals. I don’t know why they even sell white. Think about it like snow — it looks great when it’s fresh, but quickly becomes gritty, crusty, and dog-pee covered. We have navy cushions on our outdoor furniture and they are still going strong 5 years later.
Cushion Fill
If possible, opt for fast-drying (mesh bottom) cushions that allow the water to escape. Otherwise you’ll head outside for dinner and realize your cushions are still water logged from last week’s rainstorm.

Lastly, remember that any outdoor cushions are not a forever purchase. If you buy good quality and take care of them, they’ll last a good long while — but at some point they’ll be eaten by squirrels (seriously) and need to be replaced. Just plan for it.

Now you are armed with all the information you’ll need to purchase a durable and high quality patio furniture set tailored to your needs and your climate. Take into consideration maintenance, longevity, weather resistance and budget friendly following these guidelines to get your outdoor space ready for spring and summer! For more tips on keeping your outdoor space beautiful year round check out this post on landscaping hacks. And as always, reach out if you have any questions or would like help designing your outdoor space.