Though the big day isn't until November 24, Black Friday deals are already dropping. You can shop smart and save big on seasonal items, such as holiday decor, toys and gifts, as well as mattresses and major appliances: the year-round stalwarts. Funnily enough, in the heart of fall, you'll also find deep discounts on outdoor furniture.
You'll see multi-piece conversation sets for entertaining friends alongside cute and compact bistro table and chairs, all listed for less. Granted, you'll see some second-rate sets in the clearance section, but there are plenty of premium pieces to go around.
As a shopping writer, I know where to buy the best outdoor furniture to suit every style of garden and size of budget. I've spent hours searching the sites of the specialist outdoor stores, as well as the major home retailers, to bring you the best pieces at the best prices.
Still, when so much of the Black Friday sales are geared towards the holidays, it might seem a little strange to go shopping for summer yard furniture. Actually, it's the best time to buy: here's why.
Should I buy summer yard furniture in the Black Friday sales?
According to Hayley Phillips, Director of eCommerce at The Porch Swing Company, you'll often get the best rates on outdoor furniture when you shop out of season. That makes sense: many of the major home retailers and specialist stores alike are keen to shift their stock and make way for new pieces. If you know where to look, you could bag a premium piece without the premium price tag.
Hayley thinks 'getting ahead of the season is always best. Not only are you unlikely to find as many discounts during peak season,' which falls right before the summer, 'it's also likely that production and shipping times will increase closer to the time'. You'll see summer yard furniture listed for less this Black Friday, and it might even arrive before Christmas. Like Hayley says, 'ordering now ensures you'll have your furniture delivered and ready to use by the time the weather warms up'.
What sort of yard furniture should I buy?
You'll see all sorts on sale, from individual tables and chairs to multi-piece dining and conversation sets. When it comes to choosing your outdoor furniture, it's partly a matter of personal preference, though it pays to shop smart.
Wendy Wang, owner of F&J Outdoors, advises Black Friday shoppers 'to put functionality and durability at the top' of their priorities. 'That doesn't necessarily mean the biggest or most expensive item'. Don't be duped into buying a beautiful piece that you won't use, just because it's on sale.
What should I do with my yard furniture until summer?
So, it makes sense to shop the Black Friday sales for outdoor furniture: but what are you supposed to do with it over winter? If you expose wood and wicker pieces to the rain and snow, you risk damaging your outdoor furniture before you really get to use it.
Jon Morgan, CEO of Venture Smarter, has a few ideas to help you make the most of your Black Friday purchases. Jon knows that 'storing yard furniture properly is crucial for its longevity. If possible, you should store it indoors during the winter to protect it from harsh weather conditions'. You could keep your furniture under cover in your basement or a barn until the weather turns. 'If indoor storage isn't an option, invest in high-quality covers to shield your furniture from the elements'.
You can pick up a premium outdoor furniture cover with every purchase at Outer, or shop separately on the Outer site to protect and preserve the furniture you already own. Like everything at Outer, these covers are 30% off for Black Friday. Alternatively, you can shop for covers in person at your local outdoor store, or online: this all-purpose cover at Target is weather- and water-resistant.
Best Black Friday deals on yard furniture
Was $1,629.99, now $809.99 at Target
This acacia set is on sale for less than half-price. You get eight pieces − four chairs, two tables, and two loveseats – for a little over $800. That seems like pretty good value to me. This outdoor seating set offers quantity, and quality, too: each sofa is ergonomically designed to best support your back and seat.
Was $1,126, now $899 at Home Depot
If you're into outdoor dining, you know how invaluable an umbrella can be to shield against the sun or the first few spots of rain. This Phi Villa parasol slots right into the dining table for easy, even coverage. In fact, each of the eight pieces in the Phi Villa set are designed are weather the elements. The seats are covered in water-resistant Textile fabric, wrapped around a metal frame to resist rust and corrosion.
Was $2,599, now $1,299 at Lowe's
You can save more than $1,300 on this stunning sectional sofa when you take advantage of Lowe's Black Friday deals. There are thick, plush cushions included in the price, which support your seat and stand up to the elements. I can imagine drinking my morning coffee on this wicker set, or relaxing with friends and an evening aperitif.
Was $7,899, now $1,913.15 at Arhaus
This is one of the deepest discounts I've seen so far. You can save a staggering $6,000 on this double chaise, which is as beautiful as it is durable. The resin frame resists fades and stains, tears and cracks, while the cushions provide up to 98% UV protection. You could place this chaise out in the open, or round the pool, and trust it to weather the elements.
Was $2,398, now $1,598 at Serena & Lily
This wicker chair is on sale for just two thirds of its RRP, for a little less than $1,600. Don't get me wrong: that's still a lot to spend on a swivel chair, but it's beautiful, and built to last. You can choose from a wide range of solid neutral and subtle stripe fabrics, each of which is designed to resist fades, stains, mold, and mildew.
Was $389.99, now $281.99 at Best Buy
At the other end of the spectrum, you can bag two lounge chairs, a loveseat, and a coffee table for a little under $300 at Best Buy. And you don't have to sacrifice quality for cost: each metal piece is weather- and fire-resistant. You could cluster these chairs around a fire pit to keep warm, or spread them out across the yard for diverse seating options.
Was $1,909, now $1,336.30 at Lowe's
Maybe your old yard furniture has given up the ghost, or you're shopping for some new pieces for your first home. This seven-piece set from Lowe's has all the essentials. You get a sofa, two armchairs, some stools, and an accent table, all handwoven from wicker, for a little less than $1,350. That strikes me as exceptionally good value.
Was $4,250, now $2,975 at Outer
This Black Friday, there's 30% off everything at Outer, including my favorite Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa. It's made up of three seats that you can arrange to suit your space. These cushions are filled with memory foam that contours to the curves of your body, and springs back into shape as soon as you stand up. This sofa comes with a built-in handle for convenient carrying and storage during the colder months.
Was $4,749, now $3,299.15 at Arhaus
If you're shopping for a fire pit that makes a statement, look no further. The Coden Fire Pit is handmade by American artisans from lightweight aluminum and powder-coated for enhanced durability. It's easy to operate, with push-button ignition and adjustable flame control. You can save close to $1,500 when you shop at Arhaus.
Was $349, now $244 at Pottery Barn
This classic Adirondack chair should add a touch of coastal chic to any front porch or back yard. Made from responsibly sourced mahogany with a red or white finish, this seat is slanted to aid your relaxation and support your lower back. Just make sure to store indoors during the colder months, or at least use an outdoor cover.
Was $229.99, now $139.99 at Walmart
This Walsunny set includes two wicker chairs, a loveseat, a coffee table, and all the corresponding cushions. Not bad for $140. Each piece is made from lightweight rattan, so it's easy to carry around the garden. You could pop these chairs round the fire pit to toast marshmallows, or run them inside for the winter. That said, this set should be strong enough to withstand the sun and the rain.
Was $1,499, now $1,049 at Pottery Barn
Maybe you've already got a set of garden chairs that suit you just fine. You have seats, but you want to make a seating area. Here's the good news: you don't have to buy a ten-piece set. All you need is a good table, like this one from Pottery Barn. This square surface is just the right size for snacks and drinks. Made from durable concrete and acacia, it should integrate seamlessly with your own garden furniture.
Black Friday yard furniture deals FAQs
When is Black Friday?
This year, Black Friday falls on November 24. You'll find everything from outdoor furniture to kitchen appliances, mattresses and bedding to fridges and freezers, all listed for less. And you don't have to wait until the big day to start shopping: some of the best Black Friday deals have already dropped.
Where's best to buy outdoor furniture?
As a shopping writer and an outdoor living enthusiast, I know where to buy the best outdoor furniture to suit every style and size of budget.
For expertly crafted, timeless pieces with a purpose, shop at Outer. This outdoor living site wants to put an end to fast furniture. Their teak furniture is responsibly sourced from Indonesia and built to last. Outer craft their wicker sofas so they're 100% recyclable, and repurpose 100 plastic bottles with each wicker chair. Outer make their own covers to protect your outdoor furniture from the elements. You'll find a cover included with each Outer piece, or you can shop them separately on the Outer site. The best bit: everything is 30% off for Black Friday.
If you're buying on a budget, you'll find a lot to love on Target: if you're prepared to look for it. When you search for 'outdoor furniture', and filter for Black Friday deals, you're still left with almost 3,000 pieces to sift through. That's when it pays to narrow the search. You can shop by furniture brand, type, and material to find that set that suits you. You can even fix your own budget down to the dollar through Target's price filters. For my money, I'd take advantage of the deep discount on this Costway 5-piece patio set. Hand-woven from wicker, this rattan set is built to last.
How should I choose outdoor furniture?
It all depends how often you want to use your outdoor furniture, and what you want to use it for. If you regularly entertain large numbers, you should opt for a spacious conversation pit over a cute and compact bistro table and chairs. Cushioned benches and sectional sofas can accommodate more sitters than individual loveseats and swivel chairs.
Next, consider your lifestyle. If you want your yard to be a place of rest and relaxation, you might like to invest in a pair of the best Adirondack chairs for a secluded seating option. If you tend to gravitate towards the pool, then you'd be better off buying a pair of sun loungers made from water-resistant fabrics.
On that note: it's worth learning the best materials for outdoor furniture, so that you can pick out quality at a glance. If you're shopping for hardwood furniture, prioritize teak pieces. This durable wood is water-resistant, so it won't rot or warp in the rain. The best teak furniture is made in Indonesia, and can last for years, even if it's left untreated. While it can be pretty expensive, you get what you pay for: in fact, cheaper teak pieces made in China and India often aren't teak at all. If you can't stretch to teak, I'd recommend acacia as another durable hardwood that's kinder to your wallet.
Aluminum furniture is an inexpensive and lightweight alternative to hardwood. It won't rust, so it's a great option for damper climates, but it can feel a little cheap in comparison to teak. There's wicker furniture, too, though that isn't a material so much as a type of weave. Traditionally made from rattan, bamboo, or willow, most modern wicker furniture is woven with polyurethane. From a distance, polywicker looks like the real thing, but it might feel a little plasticky when you sit on it.
Final thoughts
Though the big day isn't until November 24, many of the best Black Friday home deals have already dropped. Whether you're shopping for a mattress or a major appliance, outdoor furniture or holiday decor, you'll find it listed for less.
We're keeping track of all the best Black Friday deals on our live blog. We'll let you know as and when deals drop, so that you can shop smart and save big.
