Whether you choose pieces entirely constructed from wood or take a mixed-material approach, wood works beautifully with every style to provide a natural, organic feel to any outdoor space.
Whether you choose pieces entirely constructed from wood or take a mixed-material approach, wood works beautifully with every style to provide a natural, organic feel to any outdoor space.
Design by Bodine White | Photography by Emily Sewell | SHOP THE LOOK: Sonora Outdoor Dining Table
The Best Wood for Outdoor Furniture
In combination with aesthetics, it’s important to keep the type of wood in mind when choosing wooden outdoor furniture pieces for your porch, patio, deck, or poolside area. Each type offers a certain level of style and care, so you want to be sure those qualities align with your taste and lifestyle before committing.
Design by Calimia Home | Photography by Jennifer Hughes
Teak
Teak is the most highly recommended material for wooden outdoor furniture among designers, not only due to its resilience in any season but also because of its style and soft, grained finish.
Design by Bodine White | Photography by Emily Sewell | SHOP THE LOOK: Dimitri Outdoor Double Daybed
This miraculous material produces its own oils, making it unique in comparison to other types of natural woods. Teak also requires little to no maintenance, which is a plus – just a recommended annual cleaning to keep it in tip-top condition!
Design by Patrick J. Murphy Builders, Inc.
Rattan
Rattan’s lightweight, flexible, and durable qualities, along with its aesthetic appeal, make it an ideal material for wooden outdoor furniture.
Design by Three Birds Renovation
Considered a reed-like wood and often confused with wicker (a specific weaving technique using woven fibers or synthetic resins) rattan is a strong and fibrous plant, much like bamboo. This material is often combined with the wicker weaving method, so this is what makes them easy to get mixed up.
Image via Homes to Love
Cane
Cane adds an undeniable essence of tropical warmth. Made from the stems of the rattan plant, this type of wood is a long-lasting material perfectly suited for outdoor furniture and has an immense ability to resist any climate change. Cane is also water-resistant and rustproof.
Design by Bunsa Studio | Photography by Matthew Williams
Eucalyptus
The high oil content in eucalyptus allows this type of wood to stand up easily to moisture in addition to resisting water, rotting, and decay. Eucalyptus, if properly cared for, is a great alternative to teak with the added advantage of being less expensive.
Design by Salt Design Co. | Photographed by Raquel Langworthy
Cypress
Despite Cypress being a softer wood, it’s still a great option for wooden outdoor furniture. Because it's a light wood with a gorgeous grain, cypress makes for a great visual impact. Cypress weathers a silver-grey color over time if left unfinished, similar to cedar, and has enough oil content to resist water and rotting.
Redwood
Redwood is commonly used in outdoor furniture due to its natural insect and moisture-resistant qualities. This extravagant wood choice is structured with little pitch and resin, creating a stunning finish.
Design by Studio Schicketanz | Photographed by Joe Fletcher
Acacia
Acacia is a thick, strong hardwood with high oil content. This rich and reddish-brown wood is a popular pick for outdoor furniture for its natural water resistance and durability, and given acacia is very abundant, it’s also one of the more affordable options for wooden outdoor furniture.
Design by Blesser House
Cedar
Cedar is durable as well as naturally resistant to rot, insects, and warping, and it presents a rich red color to add warmth to your outdoor space. Cedar may not last as long as teak, but it can still last a couple of decades if cared for properly.
Design by Emily Henderson | Photography by Sara Tramp
Whatever the type, wood is always a classic choice for outdoor furniture.
Now that you’re armed with the information you need to determine the best wood for your outdoor furniture, you can pair this knowledge with our picks for wooden outdoor furniture for the ultimate outdoor oasis design.
Comments
Comment or question? Leave it below.
The day I spent four hours tracking down a single light fixture while three clients were waiting for design decisions, I realized something had to change. You can create the most beautiful spaces in the world, but without systems that scale, you'll spend more time putting out fires than actually designing.
keep readingWhen a designer you admire chooses to include pieces from Scout & Nimble in their own home, it means the world. This month, we're thrilled to share a glimpse into Jennifer Hunter's beautifully curated Connecticut sanctuary—and the few special pieces she selected from our collection to make it her own.
keep readingThese three fall trends we’re really loving. What makes them special? They feel a bit off the beaten path, not yet adopted by the masses. They're subtle, which makes them fun to play with and gives them the longevity to create a truly collected space.
keep readingOver 10 years into my business, and here I am: faced with the same challenge that forced me to level up when I was starting out, except now the stakes feel impossibly higher.
keep readingTraditional style isn't going anywhere, but it certainly isn't staying the same. What once felt like your grandmother's formal living room has evolved into something far more nuanced, personal, and wonderfully livable.
keep readingThe day I spent four hours tracking down a single light fixture while three clients were waiting for design decisions, I realized something had to change. You can create the most beautiful spaces in the world, but without systems that scale, you'll spend more time putting out fires than actually designing.
keep readingWhen a designer you admire chooses to include pieces from Scout & Nimble in their own home, it means the world. This month, we're thrilled to share a glimpse into Jennifer Hunter's beautifully curated Connecticut sanctuary—and the few special pieces she selected from our collection to make it her own.
keep reading
