Modern Outdoor Furniture Ideas

Some of the most beautiful examples of residential architectural designs are Modern Homes. Clean lines, minimalist styles and natural materials all combine to create some truly breathtaking homes and fantastic outdoor living spaces. And with them comes the need for modern outdoor furniture ideas.

With every great modern home comes a chance to create a great outdoor space. And with it the need for modern patio furniture. The same design language that goes into building a modern home is applied to the outdoor furniture. Lounge chairs, outdoor sofas, rugs, tables, umbrellas and complete patio sets are all made with a modern spin. Thanks to innovations and new technologies, patio furniture has evolved to keep up with the growing popularity of modern indoor outdoor living. Patio furniture used to mean a charcoal grill with a few plastic chairs. But today’s outdoor living spaces are an extension of the home which include modern patio furniture. Right angles, muted palettes, real wood, comfort and simple designs are all a part of great modern outdoor furniture designs.

As Modern homes continue to get more popular each and every year, having outdoor furniture that looks as good on the patio as it does inside is extremely important. Modern outdoor furniture designs tend to be high end, comfortable and every bit as nice as what you’ll find in the living room.

Here are a few of our picks for the best modern patio furniture ideas. They’re high quality, comfortable and beautiful enough to be inside, but durable enough for your outdoor spaces.

Outdoor furniture set with a modern style featuring plush sofas, throw pillows, large area rug and real timber coffee table.

Modern Patio Furniture Designs

Modern patio furniture is designed in the same way as any other type of modern style. The design language is the same so the styles will flow with whatever you put inside the home and the house itself. When you own a home as specific as Modern it’s important to use modern outdoor pieces to match the inside furniture. Matching furniture styles helps create a uniform look and a seamless transition from inside to out.

Imagine you owned an ultra modern home with traditional style patio furniture. Stepping outside would feel disjointed with furniture that’s clearly out of place. Luckily there are lots of designers offering fantastic outdoor furniture with a modern aesthetic.

Think minimalism, solid colors, simple shapes, clean lines, and a muted palette. Although some modern design can actually be quite colorful and use lots of bold colors. Modern patio furniture is a very broad term that includes all sorts of wonderful designs.

Modern outdoor furniture lets you enjoy the outdoors in any season. And you can look great while doing it. Combine your love for the great outdoors, entertaining, and sophisticated modern design in one beautiful package.

Where Modern Outdoor Furniture Works Best

Create an oasis in your own backyard with a patio or deck and some modern furniture. Whether it’s lounge chairs surrounding a pool, casually placed around a fire pit or in a designated dining room setting, modern patio furniture provides the ideal combination of comfort and style.

Use a modern outdoor sofa or daybed if what you want is the same level of comfort as you get indoors. Consider a coffee or side table to hold drinks, a good book or magazines. Side and accent tables work well just about anywhere and consider a bench if you need more seating.

Create a smooth, seamless transition from the house with modern furniture designed for both dry and wet locations. Many modern furniture pieces are just as beautiful as what you’d use inside the home, and as comfortable.

How to Choose the Best Modern Outdoor Furniture

Once you’ve decided what you want is modern furniture for your patio, you can begin refining your choices with these important considerations:

• Where will you place your modern patio set?

  Decide where exactly you’ll place your new modern outdoor furniture pieces. Knowing if the furniture is used for things like a patio, deck, around a pool, under an arbor or by an outdoor kitchen will help you decide what furniture you need. You can also determine its placement by how you plan to use it. Some chairs are meant for relaxing and some are for dining. A lot of factors go into buying the perfect modern patio set so you should have a plan before you start shopping.

• What’s the best material for modern outdoor furniture?

  Modern patio furniture is offered in a wide range of materials including metal, wicker, wood, composite and plastic. You should determine the use of your outdoor furniture and the typical weather it’ll see in order to choose the right material for your situation.

  For example, outdoor metal furniture can rust, especially at the bottom where table and chair legs meet the ground. Wood is beautiful but needs some maintenance to keep it looking it’s best. Painted surfaces are great looking too but paint wears and chips over time, especially in extremely hot sun. Plastic is easy to clean but it’s a cheaper look than wood. Wicker’s a fantastic outdoor furniture material but strands can eventually get brittle and break.

  Weight the pros and cons of each material as well as how it looks.

• What are the best colors and finishes to choose?

  Colors and finishes are up to you and your own personal preferences and style. But there are definitely some colors that are more common with modern patio furniture designs. White, black, gray, creams, real wood and metal are all very popular. Muted hues with occasional splashes of bold solid colors are all considered modern. As you’ll see from the example pictures we’re about to show you, the majority of modern outdoor furniture designs fall into this category.

  Consider coordinating the style and color scheme of your indoor furniture with your outdoor set if what you want is a seamless transition from inside to out. Many modern house design aim for an indoor outdoor feel which is much easier to pull off when the furniture and living spaces flow smoothly.

• How do I clean my patio furniture?

  Modern outdoor furniture looks beautiful and is made to resist the elements but it’ll eventually have to be cleaned. Dirt, pollen, dust, and spills from using the furniture are all quite common and materials all have different recommended cleaning methods.

  If you’ve got wooden outdoor furniture then cleaning methods will be different than with wood or plastic. And cleaning methods can even vary depending on the type of wood and finish. We’re not going to go over every cleaning method for every material here, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s something to consider. If your a low maintenance kind of person then we wouldn’t recommend wood that needs staining or painting.

  For regular cleanings we recommend simple soapy water. Regular, mild household soap is generally enough. Scrub with a soft sponge if you need it but don’t use anything abrasive.

Modern Patio Furniture That Flows

When your designing the perfect modern patio furniture layout for your backyard make sure it all flows together in a intelligent way. Most people just buy a patio set with a few additional pieces, nothing matches and it’s scattered around the patio without any reason or thought behind it. When you design your patio try to think about how it’ll be used and by who. Create separate outdoor elements that look great by themselves and as a whole. For example, have an area for lounging around the pool, one for sitting around a fire pit, maybe another dining area under a pergola or by the grill.

Each area will be separate and have a unique feel but will still be a part of the whole.

To do this right you’ll probably have to buy modern furniture from different sets. When you mix and match, make sure it all works together. Pick an overall color scheme and stick to it. If your using wood then match wood species, stain and finish. If you’ve got painted furniture then match the paint. Use throw pillows or decorative towels to make things feel more unified.

Pay attention to how you’ll walk from one area to another. Keep a clear walkway so the areas have good flow with nothing in the way. Good Feng Shui can be applied just as easily to your outdoor living spaces as indoors.

Other Considerations

Lots of things interact with your new modern outdoor patio furniture. Things like landscaping, hardscaping, patio material, arbors, grills, and lighting. Consider how each of these elements interacts with your furniture.

Think about not only the look of your furniture but also the material. You’ll notice in the example ahead that the furniture feels tied to the spaces they’re placed in not only in terms of sharing a modern aesthetic but also of function.

Your permanent outdoor structures, like a pergola, pool house, sunroom, outdoor kitchen, deck, fire pit, etc., have to be taken into account when designing a furniture layout.

And don’t forget lighting. Many people do and they regret it as soon as the sun goes down. Designing the perfect spot to sit and relax with an outdoor sofa, chairs and table won’t see much use at night if it’s in total darkness.

Make sure to light up the places you plan to use at night or no one will be using them much.

Modern Outdoor Furniture Pieces

When your designing the perfect modern outdoor furniture set you’ll have a bunch of pieces to choose from. Buy all your patio furniture from a single set or match individual pieces just like you would indoors Here’s a list of the most common.

Modern Outdoor Furniture Designs & Ideas

Below are some of my all time favorite modern patio furniture designs and ideas. They include all the furniture pieces shown above and a lot more. Hopefully a few of them will inspire you to create a fantastic modern patio.

Poolside lounge chairs with a modern style that reflect the flat roof house design ad natural materials.

Modern Poolside Lounge Chairs

This may be one of the favorite examples of modern patio furniture mimicking the look of the house. These poolside lounge chairs have a woof frame with burnt orange cushions that go beautifully with this modern home’s color scheme and design. They also fit in nicely with the surrounding real stone retaining wall and rustic hillside.

This set of modern lounge chairs are a perfect combination of style, form, function and comfort.

Clean, crisp, white patio furniture with a modern design. Simple right angles with plush cushions and matching coffee table.

Modern White Outdoor Sofas & Coffee Table

I love how stylish this modern outdoor patio set is. Simple right angles and a clean white design. Four two seat white sofas with white cushions and matching coffee table. What a beautiful patio set that perfectly accents this modern home design.

Cool modern outdoor patio furniture around a wood burning fire pit.

Cool Modern Patio Seating

One of my favorite things about modern furniture design is how cool and unique they sometimes are. You won’t see patio furniture like this with a more traditional style home. This simple set of patio seating is more bench than chair. What a nice spot to relax around a large wood burning fire pit and enjoy the view.

Notice how the seats are designed to look just like the fire pit surround and blend in with the real stone retaining walls.

Modern patio furniture provides a designer the opportunity to create unique elements that other styles don’t allow. With modern design you get so much freedom to be creative and take chances.

Modern patio lounge chairs made with real timber beams. Warm light gray cushions and neck pillow.

Modern Poolside Lounge Chairs

Check out this fantastic modern lounge chair made from real timber beams. The aged wood matches perfectly with the warm gray cushions and neck pillow. I love how the designers used real wood beams to make an ultra modern product.

This modern patio furniture is a great example of how to create contrast with your materials. If you want something stand out against metal siding and glass then wood is a fantastic option.

Ultra modern home with warm gray lounge chairs and matching patio set with cantilever umbrella.

Ultra Modern Patio Set With Umbrella

If you’ve got an ultra modern home then you need a patio set that’s just as modern. These metal lounge chairs definitely fit the bill. I love the warm gray crescent moon shaped frame and matching canvas backing. The color scheme fits the home really well. And this lounge set doesn’t just look spectacular but also feels great and handles wet clothing extremely well because of the canvas design. It dries fast and gives a little when you lay out. The best modern patio furniture designs not only look great buy also function well in the elements.

I highly recommend using one of these cantilever umbrellas. They’re nice to have because you can move them around wherever you need some shade.

Retractable modern patio pergola over a sunken seating are with center fire pit.

Modern Patio Pergola

Modern patio furniture includes more than just sofas, tables and lounge chairs. Shade features are an important part of any good patio design. Cantilevered umbrellas are great because you can bring shade wherever you need it but sometimes a more permanent solution is required. I love this Modern metal pergola with retractable roof. Turn the blades to open and let the sunlight in or close them when it rains or you want a little shade.The modern design perfectly suits the home and looks fantastic above this sunken seating area with built in gas fire pit.

Modern Boho patio furniture. Wood chairs with hemp rope backing. Round black metal coffee table with cool lattice design.

Modern Bohemian Patio Furniture

Bohemiun inspired “Boho” modern outdoor furniture designs are perfect for a modern home that includes lots of natural elements like real wood, concrete and stone. This modern chair set is made from real wood and uses backing made from hemp rope. The black metal coffee table has a super cool lattice design with a round top. I love how some modern home designs use so many real materials in their natural colors. I’ve heard so many people say modern design is cold but that’s clearly not the case. Many of the best modern homes are all about nature and use lots of wood and stone. Warm colors and natural materials are anything but cold.

Boho is one of my favorite modern outdoor furniture ideas when used on the right style home.

This wonderful little modern patio set works beautifully with the house design. It’s definitely somewhere I could see myself relaxing each morning with a cup.

Bohemian inspired modern wicker patio furniture with hammocks.

Modern Bohemian Patio Furniture

I really like the look of a modern home with bohemian style outdoor furniture. Modern patio furniture is a very broad term so you’ll have quite a bit of freedom to design how you like. That freedom is one of the things I love about working with modern interior and outdoor design.

This modern bohemian inspired patio set is dark brown with light cream cushions. It’s made from tightly weaved wicker so water won’t be a problem. The cushions are made from canvas which is also great at resisting the elements.

Outdoor sofas, chairs, end tables and hammocks all combine to create wonderful outdoor living spaces that can easily be moved about the pool as needed.

Modern outdoor furniture ideas sometimes create some really cool looking stuff. Check out these patio chair designs with white cushions and colorful throw pillows.

Cool Modern Patio Set

When you shop for modern style patio furniture you’ll eventually come across some really cool stuff. Check out this white wicker patio set which includes a sofa, four chairs and three matching tables. The cushions are white canvas and really comfortable. Some colorful throw pillows, outdoor area rug and small planter complete the design.

White is a very popular color with modern design. And it actually comes in a wide variety of tones and values. This modern furniture has a much purer white cushion with a warm cream colored wicker construction.

Modern outdoor dining table. Real wood slab with red metal chair set.

Modern Outdoor Dining Table

This modern patio dining table is made from two thick solid wood slabs and a real wood base. The reddish orange metal chairs are fantastic additions to this outdoor space and look great with the red grill knobs. I love how modern furniture design combines natural elements with metal and bold colors. It creates a really nice contrast.

Woven dark brown patio set with a modern vibe. White cushions, coffee tables and colorful throw pillows capped off by a stylish red outdoor area rug.

Modern Dark Brown Wicker Patio Set

This modern patio set is comfortable enough for the interior, yet durable enough to resist the elements. Handwoven resin wicker over a rust proof aluminum frame merges high style with low maintenance. Rest assured, these woven wicker patio sets are very durable and look fantastic on a modern home.

The thick, plush cushions are super comfortable and are easy to wash clean if you have to. Throw pillows and an outdoor area rug are great ways to individualize your patio set.

This modern white patio set with cream cushions and striped throw pillows includes a glass coffee table and large teardrop chair.

Modern White & Cream Patio Set

Bring style and sophistication to your outdoor living space with this modern patio set. Crafted of aluminum and synthetic material that looks great and resists the elements. This modern furniture design features a richly woven seat and back cushion supported by a sleek yet sturdy frame.

Throw pillows add a bit of color and make the patio set your own. And the great thing about them is how easy they are to change. You can totally change the look of your patio set by simply swapping the pillows or adding an outdoor area rug. That’s why I love working with white, cream, gray or some other neutral colored outdoor furniture cushions. They’re so easy to customize with accessories. That’s not as easy to do if your patio furniture was a color.

Chic wooden lounge chairs with a modern design. Cream cushions with throw pillows and decorative spotted towels.

Chic Patio Lounge Chairs With A Modern Design

Lounging poolside never looked so good. Some modern outdoor furniture designs have as much elegance and sophistication as the inside decor. Simple forms and great design can transform your outdoor space into a chic place to lounge. Thick canvas over a wooden frame ensures durability and resistance to the elements, while sleek lines and rich textures keep it in style. Pair these poolside lounge chairs with a few matching wooden tables and dress them up a bit with throw pillows and decorative towels.

Wood and gray modern outdoor patio furniture with a true indoor / outdoor feel. Large sofa with lounge chairs and woven wicker coffee table.

Modern Wood Outdoor Sofa With Gray Cushions

Need some cozy outdoor seating with a modern style? Meet an elegant wooden patio sofa with gray cushions and dark gray throw pillows. Crafted from solid real wood these beautiful sofas are known for there, durability, longevity and comfort.If you want something that’s just as nice as your inside stuff then buy quality, high end outdoor furniture with a modern feel. Notice the canvas strip suspension system that supports the seat and back cushions. Not only do you have the comfort of plush cushions but also the give of these supports.

Its modern style is evident with its angled construction and simple style. Light gray all-weather cushions and throw pillows are quick drying and resistant to mold and mildew.

I love this picture because you can see how the outdoor furniture mirrors the indoor living room decor in both style and comfort.

This beautiful outdoor dining table and chairs are made from Ipe with a dark gray canvas backing and seat.

Modern Ipe Patio Dining Table

Beautiful and durable enough for indoor and outdoor use, this high-style/low-maintenance Ipe dining table and chairs are super durable and easy to keep clean. Nothing beats the rich brown color of real Ipe. It’s a super hard exotic hardwood that has stunning coloring when properly maintained. However, the maintenance work is just about keeping that lush brown coloring . If you don’t want to do a thing then leave it alone and Ipe will turn a shade of gray.

Modern design uses a ton of Ipe for everything from outdoor furniture, decking and even siding. Notice how these designers used it as drawer fronts on the outdoor kitchen and as a soffit material.

Modern outdoor furniture designs that use Ipe aren’t cheap. But they’re some of the most beautiful and long lasting.

Matching gray and wood modern outdoor furniture sets sectioned off into 3 distinct areas. Suntanning, lounging and dining.

Modern Gray Outdoor Patio Sets

Modern outdoor patio sets can be coordinated just like your inside furniture. We recommend sectioning off your patio sets into smaller individual areas rather than just putting them all together or scattering them randomly around the patio. Here wee see 3 sections all with a clear purpose. One for laying in the sun, one for dining and one for lounging.

All areas are unique but share the common thread of gray and wood. They all feel connected and look great together once they inevitably get moved around.

Beautiful modern Ipe wood patio dining table that matches the Ipe soffits.

Modern Ipe Patio Dining Table

This beautiful modern Ipe patio dining table looks fantastic under these huge overhangs with Ipe soffits. Ipe is a fantastic material that’s used a lot in modern homes as an exterior finish. We use it as siding, decking, trim work, soffits and more. If you have Ipe on your home then it’s a nice look to carry that into your outdoor furniture pieces. It really ties the furniture to the home making them feel connected.

Ipe has a stunning coloring that’s hard to match with other materials. And it’s extremely durable which makes it ideal for outdoor furniture. You really can’t go wrong with it. However if you want to maintain your Ipe patio furniture’s rich coloring then you’ll have to maintain it otherwise it’ll eventually turn a shade of gray.

Modern all black poolside lounge chairs with concrete tables.

Modern Black Lounge Chairs

Check out these super modern patio lounge chairs. They’re a very simple design made from aluminum and mesh. The simple rectangular shapes are very modern and so is the coloring. All black is a color you don’t ordinarily see in any style of that modern or versions of modern like contemporary or transitional. One this modern stucco home with black frame windows and doors it’s the perfect color patio set.

The small round concrete tables are also a very modern look.

Modern luxury patio furniture can be just as nice as what you use on the inside of your home.

High End Modern Patio Furniture

If you own a modern waterfront home like this one then your probably not looking for a cheap patio set. Luckily there are high end modern outdoor furniture options that are every bit as nice as what you use inside. This modern patio set features real wood and metal sofas with plush cushions and pillows made from soft canvas. It’s all durable, comfortable and resistant to the elements.

Gray and wood are a perfect color combination for a modern home. Especially if you use this particular shade of gray that’s a bit on the warm side.

Modern cream colored canvas daybeds on a covered stone tile patio.

Modern Patio Daybeds

A patio daybed with a modern style is the perfect place to lay outside and relax. They’re super comfortable with a thick, soft canvas that resists the elements.

Create the feel of a 5-star resort in your own backyard. A modern daybed transforms any outdoor space into a luxe oasis. The plush, neutral colored cushions and matching frame covers hide a solid wood frame construction. High end modern day beds are strong and built to last.

Sleek, sophisticated modern poolside lounge chairs with matching gray cushions and frame.

Modern Poolside Lounge Chairs

If you’ve got a modern home then you’ll need outdoor furniture with a modern style to match. These beautiful modern lounge chairs are perfect for lounging poolside. They feature a plush padding that’s super comfortable and a thick composite frame for a sleek, refined look.

Right angles, sleek lines and a muted pale gray color give this set of patio chairs a modern, sophisticated appeal. Be prepared to spend if your in the market for patio furniture like this because they’re not cheap. High end modern patio furniture costs a lot more than the thin aluminum and plastic lounge chairs you’ll buy at the local department store. It’s not uncommon to spend around $250 per patio chair vs $25 for a traditional cheap one.

Monochromatic patio furniture is nice if your going modern and can easily be changed by swapping out the cushions or adding a few throw pillows or decorative towels.

Monochromatic white patio furniture set with an ultra modern style. Real wood timber tables with earth tone throw pillows.

Monochromatic White Modern Patio Sofas

These beautiful monochromatic white modern sofa feature a white wood frame and matching white cushions. They’re elegant, sophisticated and nicer than most people actual living room furniture. The small tables are squares cut out of real aged white timber with gray and tan accents. Earth toned throw pillows add some color to the sofas and nicely match the outdoor dining table.

This is luxury modern patio furniture sets at their finest.

A simple modern wood patio set including tables, bench seating and chairs.

Simple Modern Wood Patio Set

Sometimes basic outdoor furniture designs are best. This simple modern wood patio set features tables, benches and chairs. Clean design with right angles and a beautiful light brown stain with light varnish. This type of minimalist modern style is nice if your a fan of wood. The grain can really shine in a design like this because there’s nothing to distract from it.

With modern outdoor furniture like this the construction quality has to be high. Simpler designs have less to style elements to rely on so whats there needs to be done just right.

Simple white and modern outdoor dining set with rectangle table and eight chairs.

Modern White Outdoor Dining Set

I love this modern all white outdoor dining set with rectangle table and eight chairs. it’s super clean, crisp and minimalist. The chairs are so clean they appear to be cut out of a single solid block of wood. Who knew simple solid shapes and tight angles could make such a striking piece of patio furniture.

Summary: Modern Outdoor Furniture Ideas

Clean lines, minimalist styles made from natural materials all combined to create some fantastic modern outdoor living spaces. And with them comes the need for modern patio furniture ideas.

With every great modern home comes an opportunity to create a great outdoor space. And with it the need for modern patio furniture. The same design language that goes into building a modern home is applied to the outdoor furniture. Lounge chairs, outdoor sofas, rugs, tables, umbrellas and complete patio sets are all made with a modern feel. Thanks to innovations and new technologies, patio furniture has evolved to keep up with the growing popularity of modern indoor outdoor living. Patio furniture used to mean a charcoal grill with a few plastic chairs. But today’s patios are an extension of the home which includes modern patio furniture.

As Modern homes continue to get more popular each and every year, having outdoor furniture that looks as good outdoors as it does inside is essential. Modern outdoor furniture designs tend to be high end, comfortable and every bit as nice as what you’ll find in the living room.

I hope a few of the example modern patio sets and furniture ideas help you design your next outdoor living space. And check back again because we update all of our pages periodically.

If you have any questions or comments e-mail us any time. We’d love to hear from you.