If you want it to last be sure to buy covers for the sofas & chairs ...

(Nothing outdoors lasts as long as you hope, so don't break the credit card limit. Mother Natures always wins that battle...while you are not at home). With the 3 summer holidays coming up over the next 6 weeks, be prepared to snap up a great 'unadvertised sale'....you know, they will be putting up Christmas trees come August? LOL... https://www.thespruce.com/best-outdoor-patio-furniture-brands-3963377

you really get what you pay for. if you plan to live at your house for 5+ years, buy good quality seating that is comfortable. plan for cushion storage or buy furniture that doesnt have cushions.

i can't say enough good things about kingsley bate. the canvas is fast self drying, doesnt sag, doesnt stain with sunscreen. the teak ages to grey. we store it in winter but its outside all summer. no cushions to store or need to replace.

scroll down for related products.

http://www.kingsleybate.com/product.php?id=124#.Wu8WK4gvzIU

ours has been outside for 7 summers, when we bought more last year the blue was the same color as what we had. point being, you can add to it and have it match.

Costco usually brings in higher end stuff for better prices. But what I would say in general is .... outdoor furniture takes a beating, and depending on where you live it can be even worse. So my theory is, since it's not going to last a long time anyway, I would rather buy less expensive stuff more often. Another thing I do is always buy metal that can be re-spray painted to keep it looking nice. And then I scotch guard cushions and pillows that won't be left out in the elements (and I try not leave anything out directly in the elements), and for those that are I use a steam cleaner on them. The other tip I would give is to buy things in their off season .... so I would buy outdoor furniture at the end of summer when everything goes on sale.

Have to disagree with the above. High quality garden furniture can last a very long time!! My sister's Brown and Jordan set is going on 30 years old and still looks as good as new. She has only replaced the cushions a couple of times......the furniture itself is fine!! And this is in the PNW!

While you're waiting for end-of-season sales, keep an eye on craigslist/estate sales. I got a custom $11k wicker sectional (they had the Merchandise Mart receipt!) for my sunroom for less than $500. They were a North Shore family downsizing - one of my best finds especially since it fit perfectly in my space.

I’ve had both Brown & Jordan and Tropitone, current dining set was over $4k, the finish on the arms of the chairs and tabletop discolored after 2 years even with being covered 90% of the time & I'm a clean freak, clean it regularly. Next time I buy outdoor furniture it will be a lower price point.

I am not sure of the brand that we purchased for $500 38 years ago. I have had the furniture restrapped and painted several times at a fraction of the cost to buy new furniture. We bought it in Florida where it spent 3 years in a screened in porch and then moved to Indiana where it over winters in our shed.

So I am convinced you get what you pay for.

If you want quality furniture that will last....take proper care of it and spend the money to get the best quality you can afford. Strapped furniture can always be restrapped. Canvas, woven and the like will eventually fail and can those be repaired??? I am not sure about wicker. Cushions can always be replaced. Our furniture does not need cushions.

I think Craig's list might be a good place to start.

A couple I know bought nice heavy painted pretty steel rockers for their porch...years later, the UV rays had done their job on the likely olefin plus fabric cushions.....can't buy cushions to fit the chair. The back is tall(you know, no one is taller than 4.5 feet anymore??)and the seat is wide(you know, only Ms. Muffits sit down anymore)so to make custom new sail cloth cushions is alot of money....the chairs are still in great shape.....but....what to do? Create a slip cover aka'pillowcase' for the cushions as the are. They are always messing with the size of things that are fixed so the replacement items are no longer available...and you can buy 'new improved' styles with the money in custom cushions...

This is all so helpful, thanks to all! Any guidance on whether brands like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel make good stuff or junk? I am usually not thrilled with their interior sofas (certain Crate and Barrel sofas being the exception). It all looks fabulous, but is it?

I live in the Northeast, so sofas, etc. will be outside in the snow all winter (nowhere to store the bigger pieces). That said, my Winston dining set is 21 years old and while not quite like new, is definitely good to go for another several years, despite many of the pieces (table and the two armchairs) spending winters outside.

You could try Grandin Road.

Costco is not the best option. I've got a furniture from there. The quality is pretty low

I bought Costco furniture for my garden when I just moved into my house. It didn't survive for the next summer. You are right about the quality. It is just awful. Besides, the price for that quality is a little bit high. If the price matters, better get something from IKEA. It will be way better rather than Costco. But, my advice to you, do not to try to save money on furniture. You are not going to buy a new one every year. High-quality expensive furniture will serve you longer. I purchased my patio furniture from www.gardenfurniture.co.uk and I’m quite happy with my choice. I already have it for a while, but it still looks new.