When is the Best Time to Buy Patio Furniture?
The best time to buy patio furniture for the best price is September and October, when retailers mark down summer inventory after Labor Day. For the best selection, shop from February to early April, before peak season. May and June are the hardest months to buy: demand peaks, popular pieces sell out, and lead times grow.
Reviewed by the Patio Productions showroom team · Last updated October 2026
The Best Time to Buy Patio Furniture at a Glance
| When | What you'll find | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January – February | New collections arrive; fewer shoppers | Planning and custom orders |
| March – early April | The widest selection of styles, finishes and fabrics in stock | Best selection |
| May – June | Peak demand and longer lead times | Least ideal time to buy |
| July – August | Fourth of July sales and the first summer markdowns | Early deals |
| September – October | Labor Day sales and end-of-season markdowns | Best prices |
| November – December | Black Friday sales on remaining stock | Leftover deals, limited choice |
Best Time for the Best Price: September and October
After Labor Day, retailers need to clear summer inventory to make room for next season's collections. With fewer shoppers looking for outdoor furniture, markdowns grow deeper through late September. October can still offer good prices as the outdoor season wraps up, but selection gets thinner the longer you wait.
The trade-off: you may not find every size, finish or fabric you want. If you're flexible, end-of-season shopping can save you the most.
Best Time for the Best Selection: February to Early April
New collections arrive early in the year, and every style, finish and fabric is available. If you have your heart set on a specific set, or you're ordering custom cushions or a large sectional, this is the time to buy.
Ordering in February or March also gives you a cushion of time, so your furniture arrives and is set up before summer instead of on backorder during your first backyard party.
Why May and June Are the Hardest Months to Buy
Many shoppers try to beat the summer rush by ordering in May, but nearly everyone has the same idea. Demand peaks right before Memorial Day, popular pieces sell out, and lead times can stretch by weeks. If you need furniture for summer, order in early spring instead.
Sale Weekends Worth Watching
- Presidents Day (mid-February): early markdowns, often on last year's colors and finishes, right as the selection window opens.
- Memorial Day (late May): smaller discounts, but it's the last big sale before peak summer.
- Fourth of July: the first summer markdowns.
- Labor Day (early September): the unofficial start of end-of-season markdowns.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday: deals on remaining stock before winter.
Outdoor cushions and umbrellas follow the same calendar. If you're shopping for those too, see our outdoor cushion buying guide.
What the Experts Say
Major shopping and personal finance sites agree with the same split: late summer and fall for price, early spring for selection.
- USA Today: “Prices on patio furniture, outdoor accessories and pool supplies will hit rock bottom later in September.”
- Lifehacker (October): “Now that the outdoor season's really wrapping up, you'll find the best prices on patio furniture before it all goes away.”
- Forbes (September 2025): Labor Day sales offer “some great (and final) deals on outdoor sofas, lounge chairs and dining sets.”
- Reader's Digest (2025): discounts start in early August and grow as Labor Day approaches, while late March into early April is better if selection matters more than price.
Retail researchers at the National Retail Federation track the same end-of-season pattern across seasonal categories.
How to Get the Best Value on Patio Furniture
- Buy quality, not just a low price. Well-made furniture lasts for years, while cheap sets often fade, rust or unravel within a few seasons. Compare brands in our top 10 outdoor patio furniture brands and our guide to the best material for outdoor furniture.
- Ask about discontinued finishes and fabrics. Last season's colors are often marked down and are just as well made.
- Measure before you shop. Plan your layout and walkways first so you buy the right size pieces. See our 8 keys to the perfect patio furniture arrangement.
- Buy the whole set at once. Matching finishes and fabrics can be hard to find later if a collection is discontinued.
- Check lead times. Custom cushions and large sets can take several weeks, so plan ahead if you need furniture by a certain date.
For a step-by-step checklist, see the patio furniture buyer's guide.
Buying for a Hotel, Restaurant or Resort?
This guide is written for homeowners. Commercial projects often follow different budget and construction timelines, so the best time to buy may be different. See our guide to buying commercial patio furniture.
Watch: When Is the Best Time to Buy Patio Furniture?
Ready to Shop?
Browse our patio furniture sale or shop all outdoor furniture. Not sure what fits your space? Our design team can help, or visit our San Diego showroom to see and sit on the furniture in person.
FAQs: Best Time to Buy Patio Furniture
September and October for the best prices; February to early April for the best selection. After Labor Day, retailers mark down summer inventory to make room for next season. If you care more about choosing exactly the style, finish and fabric you want, shop early in the year before peak season.
Usually September. Discounts start in August and deepen after Labor Day as stores clear the season's inventory. October can also be a good month, though selection shrinks the longer you wait.
March to early April. New collections are in stock and every finish and fabric is available. If you're ordering custom cushions or a large set, start in February so your furniture arrives before summer.
It's one of the hardest times to buy. Demand peaks right before summer, so popular pieces sell out and lead times grow. If you want furniture in time for Memorial Day or summer parties, order earlier in the spring.
Yes. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and many retailers start their deepest end-of-season markdowns that weekend. Prices often keep falling into late September.
A sale is temporary; a clearance usually means the item is being discontinued. A sale marks down current inventory for a limited time, often around a holiday weekend. Clearance pricing is usually for discontinued colors, finishes or models, so the discount is often deeper but selection is limited.
Only if the quality is there. A low price on furniture that fades, rusts or unravels in a season or two isn't a deal. Look for quality materials like powder-coated aluminum, teak, HDPE wicker and solution-dyed fabrics. See our top 10 outdoor patio furniture brands.
