This is but one installment of 37 Things a Man’s Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September. Stay tuned all month for more.
Designers have come for the common lawn chair.
And it’s about time, because if we have to spend one more summer night waxing philosophic from a dusty folding chair, God help us.
Same goes for your chipped plastic table. And your rain-stained pool lounger. And whatever you’re trying to build a fire in over there.
We’ll still enjoy them, but not as much as if we were more comfortable.
Hence: the 32 outdoor-furniture upgrades that’ll give your backyards, porches, pools and patios some much needed attention this season.
From sunshades to sofas to something called a Bad Idea Pyro Tower Steel Fire Pit, these goods will turn your next block party into the stuff of legend. And as for chairs? We found one so regal it may as well be a throne.
Actually, yeah — let’s call it your summer throne.
The Dining Table and Chairs
Adelaide Indoor-Outdoor Collection by BoConcept
You simply cannot eat another of summer’s great bounties at the same picnic table upon which you celebrated Junior’s grade-school graduation. The beautiful, clean design of the Adelaide sofa from Danish leisure experts BoConcept was born to host your sunlit, chardonnay-soaked gatherings in perpetuity.
For ease and affordability: The Lily Collection by Yardbird
For hosting a small army: 14’ Protected Teak Trestle Table by Terrain
And for something you can pick up on your next Home Depot run: Lemon Grove 7-Piece Wicker Set by Hampton Bay
The Throne
Kosmos Heated Chair by Galanter & Jones
A monolithic cast stone chair that’s heated for year-round comfort and can be programmed to remember user settings. And it’s energy efficient for outdoor use, so don’t think of it as running the A/C with the windows open.
For therapeutic benefits: Zero Gravity chair by Lafuma
For a nice Instagram backdrop: Palmyra Rattan Indoor-Outdoor Chair by Terrain
For “a suspension bridge reborn as a chair”: Hang Chair by Skagerak
The Adirondack
Adirondack Chair by the Best Adirondack Chair Company
You know ‘em, you love ‘em, you plan to build one by hand for your progeny’s progeny one day. Or, better idea: spend that time shootin’ the shi*t with them, and buy this classic instead. Just look at the company name. And they’ll customize them for you.
For kicking back after a quick trip to Home Depot (to buy this chair): Reclining Patio Chair With Pull-Out Ottoman by Leisure Season
For reducing, reusing and recycling: The 100% Recycled and Recyclable Adirondack by Loll Designs
For a 21st-century (read: metal) take: Edge Adirondack by Cane Line
The Stackable Chairs
Nolita Garden Chair by Pedrali
These stackable steel beauts are colorful, easy-to-clean and best of all: not plastic.
For going neutral: Basic Chair 4-Pack by Gandia Blasco
For a vintage look without consignment prices: Svelti Pure White Dining Chair by Article
And for something can pick up on your next Home Depot run: Malibu Stacking Wood Outdoor Chair by Vifah
Fire Pit
The Pyro Tower by Bad Idea
No one firepit should have these all features: The Pyro Tower is a hybrid grill-smoker-firepit that lets you indulge in so many forms of excess at once it should be criminal. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
For bang-for-your-buck: Lily Fire Table and Stacking Chairs Set by Yardbird
For cooking spooking the neighborhood children: Weathering Steel Obelisk Chiminea by Anthropologie
For safety, because it’s covered: City Lights Memphis Firepit by Landmann
The Sofa
Modular Sectional by Stephen Kenn
This seating kit has two corner chairs, a loveseat and an armless lounge. Rearrange to suit your needs, and fold it up neatly to store in bad-weather months — though given the materials, it can stand up to the weather year-round.
For bang-for-your-buck: Äpplarö Four-Seat Sofa by IKEA
For modern hotel-bar vibes: Caroline Patio Sofa by Artless
For less-sofa-more-daybed: Sol Daybed by Article
The Sunbed
Riviera Lounge by Skagerak
A chair that is a sunbed that is also a table? Color us intrigued, and a little sun-kissed. Skagerak is the name of the game in Danish deck furniture, which implies two things: gorgeous and well designed.
For Scandinavian chic: South Bay Glenmore 3-Piece Set by Anderson Teak
For a respectable version of the woven plastic numbers: Pool Chaise by Stephen Kenn
For cocktail-colored daydreams: Pillow Chaise Longue Nolita by Pedrali
The Sunshade
Cap Ferrat Wooden Pergola by Unopiu
WTF is a pergola? It’s a fancy word for suncover, but you can call it your outdoor living room. Italian brand Unopiu just opened their first retail store stateside this year in Florida, and they sling the ultimate version.
For space-saving: Retractable Patio Awning by Aleko
For beachy vibes when there’s no beach in sight: Cabana Stripe Patio Umbrella by Sunbrella
For hey, it works: Steel Pop-Up Canopy by Core Equipment
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