There are some things that are absolutely worth splurging on, and then there are other home picks that aren't. Outdoor furniture is a key example of one of those things that’s smart to avoid overspending on — especially if you can only use them for a small part of the year.
Obvi, whether you’ve got a teeny tiny outdoor space or a slightly larger balcony or patio, naturally you want to make the most of it. I get it, completely. Over the years, I’ve had gardens of all shapes and sizes, and I’ve always tried to make the most of every space. I mean, why wouldn’t you?
But, when it comes to amping up your outdoor space, one thing I’ve struggled to get past is overspending on outdoor furniture and accessories. It always seems like all the nice things are way over my budget. Sigh. Luckily, I’ve found a way to get around this tiny snag: by building a stash of ultra transitional buys that work both indoors and outdoors, allowing me to use them all year long — and not just in the warmer summer months. I can honestly say that it’s been a complete game-changer.
So to help you make more of your outdoor space, however big or small, I’ve put together a guide to some of my favorite indoor-outdoor furniture buys that work overtime inside and out.
The first buy I would recommend is a really great outdoor rug. This blue and cream design is pretty, adds a pop of color, and is a good size. Whether you’re placing it on a deck or popping it under a blow-up hot tub, it’ll look great. If you want to use it inside, I can confirm that this style of rug looks great in pretty much any room. (I have a super similar design in my bedroom that always gets a ton of compliments.)
These incandescent bulb lights — which I have strung up around my hot tub (opens in new tab) and am low-key obsessed with — are absolutely stunning. Whether you hang them across your balcony, string them above your firepit, or have them draped across the ceiling of your living room, they're guaranteed to add a really pretty, peach-hued glow.
Who isn’t obsessed with egg chairs? After these swinging seats went viral last summer — and were sold out pretty much everywhere — I knew I needed one to complete my warm weather deck setup. I wasn't down to spend $$$ for something I could only use for a few months of the year. That’s why I opted for an egg chair, like this one, that would look glorious outside as well as inside. I'd recommend that you do the same.
For an added level of comfort — and for bringing in some festival vibes to your outdoor space — this water-resistant pouf is a great buy. I have one just like this that I use outside in the warmer months and bring indoors as the weather starts to cool. Can I just say, it always gets the most compliments!
Yes, it’s a little on the spendy side, but this four-piece furniture set has those dreamy peak adulting vibes written all over it. It’s the kind of set that you’d expect to see in a real “grown-up” home. Think: your ultra Instagrammable aunt’s house. What I love about this set is that it offers the perfect combo of style and minimalism, and thanks to its neutral hues, it fits perfectly into any space — outside or in.
If you’re going to be comfortable chilling outdoors, cushions are a must. Forget buying all new outdoor cushions. After all, they’re usually pretty spendy. Instead, opt for waterproof covers, like this set of four that come in a range of bright, bold hues. They're what I use year in and year out to transform my normal cushions ahead of summer.
Could this weatherproof coffee table be any cuter? The chevron design adds a little flair to the whole thing can’t stop obsessing over. It’s simple but effortlessly stylish — just what a coffee table should be. The neutral wood design is guaranteed to look just as great indoors as it does outdoors, too.
Prefer a rug that’s a little more neutral? This reversible design is a great buy. I have a very similar one from the same brand at home, and I can't recommend it enough. It's stylish, offers two different looks, and can be easily wiped clean. In summer, it sits on my deck among my outdoor furniture. Then in winter, it covers my kitchen floor, fitting seamlessly into both spaces.
For the ultimate level of outdoor comfort, an all-weather couch is a great buy. Especially one that's simple enough to also look great inside, too. This three-seater design features a sleek metal frame and comes complete with comfortable weatherproof cushions.
