The first half of the year tends to blur together in a haze of outdoor ambition – January sales, spring spruce-ups, the spontaneous chaise lounge you definitely didn’t need in May. But now it’s July. The honeymoon phase is over. And it’s time to ask: what patio ideas actually held up?
I asked a few designers to take stock. Not necessarily on the buzzy, Pinterest-popular patio sets or planters, but on the quiet, everyday hits you might have overlooked.
Ahead, designers share the best outdoor furniture and patio decor buys that actually delivered – from umbrellas with a secret to scene-stealing planters to the one romantic garden plant that changed everything.
Whether you’re in the market for fresh patio furniture ideas or have resigned to the fact that it’s time to replace your outdoor furniture, consider this your shortcut to what worked, what lasted, and, most importantly: what might make the biggest difference in a backyard of your own in 2025 and beyond.
Actress, content creator, and designer Eva Amurri – who stars in The Westport Project, a web series chronicling the build of a net-zero smart home in Westport, CT – recommended this outdoor coffee table from Target to me for its water-resistant construction and charmingly elevated slatted design. Choose between two additional colorways, including an of-the-moment nautical navy.
'This year I added something to my yard that I have been dreaming about for ages: a rose garden,’ says Grey Joyner of Grey Joyner Interiors. ‘We added a white picket fence to border the garden and a pea gravel walkway. It all just feels very romantic and nostalgic for a simpler time.’ This low-maintenance rose bush exudes a similarly pretty pastoral spirit.
Franky Rousell, founder and CEO of Jolie, notes that one small upgrade that’s made a big impact this year is outdoor cushions, which he’s layered onto existing furniture 'to further layer the space'. The world is truly your oyster in this area, though this houndstooth bowtie find from Wayfair – ideal for elevating an al fresco dinner – is an easy yes with that classic pattern and whimsical bows.
‘The most standout addition to my garden has been a pair of urns, fluted, that I have filled with hydrangeas,’ says Phoebe Hollond, founder of Studio Hollond. This Wayfair pair isn’t hers exactly, but the lightweight, antique-style silhouette echoes the same neoclassical charm. At 14 inches wide, they’re generously sized for anything from coral bells to climbing ivy, and easy to shift when you’re ready to restyle. ‘They are so elegant,’ Phoebe raves.
‘I purchased some amazing outdoor glazed ceramic side tables, in a shade of pastel teal/blue,’ shares Jolie’s Franky Rousell. It's a material that's both robust and easy to clean – both crucial qualities for anything outdoor. This sleek Ivy Bronx table makes a high-gloss statement similar to Franky's own. ‘I am loving this pop of color at the moment!’ he muses.
Eva Amurri had one goal: create a bona fide backyard retreat. She owns this exact outdoor umbrella, in this exact colorway, and it’s got a little secret. What appears at first glance to be a standard market shade is actually outfitted with a surprise: 36 LED lights, tucked into the ribs, offering a warm ambient glow come sundown. The double-sided canopy keeps things breezy during the day and softly lit at night.
Jacu Strauss, creative director at Lore Group, swears by outdoor pedestals – or plinths, whichever you prefer. ‘They’re perfect for displaying urns and statues without taking up too much space – ideal if you have limited outdoor space.’ This faux marble version from Anthropologie feels both classic and convincing – the perfect perch for even the most obscure flea market finds. ‘I even bought a really old carved keystone head which probably came from the arch of an old building or bridge, and it adds a lot of character,’ shares the creative director.
And character, clearly, is the point. ‘I’ve been working on my walled garden at my country house,’ adds Jacu. ‘There is no tap nearby at the moment, so I invested in some large terracotta-look water tanks with taps. They look great and work a treat. I fill them with a hose from the house.’ This rain pot from Wayfair captures that artisanal, old-world feel, but with a clever addition: a planter top that makes the whole piece feel intentional – decorative, even, rather than purely functional.
Meanwhile, Eva Amurri is in pre-renovation mode. ‘We’re gearing up for a big backyard renovation in 2026 – putting in a pool, tiering the landscaping, plantings, patio, outdoor kitchen: the WORKS!’ she shares. ‘Until then, I wanted to make sure our tiny, sweet patio is still nice to relax on and spend time together as a family.’ Hence this all-in-one patio furniture deal from Frontgate. With breezy cream wicker and cool-toned teak, it brings vacation energy in one swoop. ‘The whole setup is giving luxury oasis while we wait for the real deal.’
It's only July, so definitely not too late for a mid-summer spruce up to your outdoor spaces, and you'll often find that there's some great patio deals to be had right now, which are only going to get better as the summer season continues.
