Elevate your business strategy with this outdoor furniture industry analysis. US consumers’ expectations are changing, and brands must keep up. Below, we’ve provided the report scope, summarized the core topics analyzed, and hand-selected findings from the full report.
Report Scope
Outdoor furniture includes all furniture designed and marketed for outdoor and casual use on the home’s porch, patio, poolside, or garden area. Furniture may be made of metal, plastic, rattan/wicker, and wood and includes products such as seating products (eg, chairs, loveseats, settees, stools, ottomans, benches, lounge chairs), tables, cushions, and umbrellas.
Core Topics Analyzed
- Macroeconomic factors impacting the patio and outdoor furniture market.
- Types of outdoor spaces at primary residences.
- Interest in buying patio and outdoor furniture.
- Channels and retailers shopped.
- Important considerations when shopping for patio and outdoor furniture.
- Attitudes toward outdoor spaces.
US Outdoor Furniture Industry Analysis
Consumer preferences vary by region
US consumers’ preferences for outdoor furniture vary by region. Midwestern consumers prioritize price and weather resistance, while those in the Northeast look for comfortable and stylish designs that are easy to maintain and store. There’s an opportunity for year-round engagement in regions with milder climates, like the South and West, by offering products suitable for various weather conditions.
Consumers seek quality and value
Across the board, American consumers seek value without compromising quality when shopping for outdoor furniture. They associate quality with comfort and the ability to withstand the elements. Brands are encouraged to develop products that meet these expectations, using materials like UV-resistant fabrics and rust-proof metals.
Eco-awareness is increasing
There is a growing environmental consciousness among consumers in the outdoor furniture market. They are looking for products that are durable, functional, and eco-friendly. Brands are expected to innovate and offer sustainable products to meet these consumer values, with 61% of Americans expecting brands to lead in addressing environmental issues.
Buy the full report for a complete review of what consumers want from outdoor furniture. Readers may also be interested in Hosting Gatherings at Home – US, 2024, and In-Home Lifestyles – US, 2024.
Expert Analysis
Leading retail analyst Marisa Ortega delivers expert insights with this in-depth industry report.
Despite the category’s discretionary nature, seasonal changes and the emotional benefits outdoor spaces can provide are avenues to drive engagement, and sales.
Marisa Ortega
Retail & eCommerce Analyst
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Executive Summary
- Key issues covered in this Report
- Overview
- What you need to know
- Consumer trends: key takeaways
- Market predictions
- Opportunities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- US GDP expanded by over 3% in the fourth quarter
- Graph 1: quarterly real GDP growth, 2020-23
- Consumer prices rose by 3.2% in February – a slight uptick from the preceding month
- Graph 2: headline CPI, shelter CPI, and Zillow Rent Index, 2022-24
- Consumers are the most upbeat they have been in over two years
- Graph 3: consumer sentiment index, 2021-24
- Consumers’ financial outlooks are increasingly optimistic
- Graph 4: opinions on financial future, 2024
- Declining mortgage rates can prompt outdoor furniture needs; though category interest remains, regardless of home ownership
- Rising interest rates and the gap between wages and home prices have led to housing market concerns
- Lead the sustainable shift in outdoor furniture
- Navigate the future of outdoor living with tech
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Consumer Insights
- The outdoor furniture consumer: fast facts
- Patio and outdoor furniture consumer segments
- For outdoor devotees, the outdoor space is not just a place, but a statement of lifestyle and pride
- Help seasonal inspirers to achieve their outdoor vision
- Offer functional, straightforward solutions to appeal to practical utilitarians
- Empower consumer segments to achieve their outdoor living goals
- Graph 5: cluster analysis of attitudes toward outdoor spaces, 2024
- Types of outdoor living spaces
- There are diverse consumer needs and preferences when it comes to outdoor spaces
- Graph 6: types of outdoor living spaces, 2024
- The size of outdoor spaces has an impact on product offerings
- Cater to the constraints of urban living
- Graph 7: types of outdoor living spaces – select responses, by area, 2024
- IKEA expands with a new store format to better serve urbanites
- Enrich outdoor living across the diverse landscapes of the United States
- Graph 8: types of outdoor living spaces, by region, 2024
- Uses of outdoor spaces
- Outdoor spaces provide emotional and financial benefits
- Graph 9: uses of outdoor spaces, 2024
- Walmart speaks consumers’ language to resonate
- There are nuances in outdoor spaces usage based on consumers’ age
- Graph 10: uses of outdoor spaces, by age, 2024
- Brands must stay top-of-mind with older consumers
- Graph 11: uses of outdoor spaces, by age, 2024
- Households with children take the fun outside
- Differing family dynamics create multifacted purposes for outdoor spaces
- Graph 12: uses of outdoor spaces, by age of children in the household, 2024
- Outdoor devotees enjoy gatherings and entertaining
- Graph 13: uses of outdoor spaces, by cluster, 2024
- Types of patio & outdoor furniture and decor
- Consumers want outdoor spaces that are functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing
- Graph 14: types of patio and outdoor furniture and decor, 2024
- Elevate outdoor comfort
- Adults aged 25-34 have a broad interest in patio and outdoor furniture
- Graph 15: types of patio and outdoor furniture and decor – any interest, by age, 2024
- Take kids’ needs into account to appeal to parents
- Graph 16: types of patio and outdoor furniture and decor – any interest, by children in the household, 2024
- Home Depot appeals to parents through events for kids
- Channels and retailers shopped
- Modern consumers are multi-channel shoppers
- Graph 17: channel shopped, by age, 2024
- Amazon is the preferred place to shop for patio and outdoor furniture, though retailers with physical stores have an opportunity to differentiate
- Graph 18: retailers shopped, 2024
- 25-34s shop at a variety of retailers, presenting an opportunity to establish stronger loyalty
- Graph 19: retailers shopped, by age, 2024
- Crate & Barrel employs its branded credit card to drive loyalty
- Seek a deeper connection with multicultural consumers
- Graph 20: retailers shopped, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- Suburban consumers have limited options to shop for patio and outdoor furniture
- Graph 21: retailers shopped, by area, 2024
- Home Depot appeals to suburban and rural consumers through content specific to their needs
- Sources of inspiration
- Embrace social media platforms to inspire consumers
- Graph 22: sources of inspiration for outdoor spaces, 2024
- Wayfair inspires consumers through TikTok
- Social media, peers and in-store displays are key for outdoor inspiration
- Younger consumers look for guidance on how to best utilize their outdoor spaces
- Graph 23: sources of inspiration for outdoor spaces – select responses, by age, 2024
- Take targeted approaches to inspire multicultural consumers
- Graph 24: sources of inspiration for outdoor spaces – select responses, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- Authentic and genuine efforts are needed to appeal to multicultural consumers
- Help suburban and rural consumers to find the potential in their outdoor spaces
- Graph 25: sources of inspiration for outdoor spaces, by area, 2024
- Utilize the right media to engage consumers
- Graph 26: sources of inspiration for outdoor spaces, by cluster, 2024
- Considerations when shopping for outdoor furniture
- Consumers want value, without compromising on quality
- Graph 27: considerations when shopping for outdoor furniture – any rank, 2024
- Younger consumers look for specific features in their outdoor furniture
- Graph 28: considerations when shopping for outdoor furniture – any rank, by age, 2024
- Target and Studio McGee democratize access to style
- Take a localized assortment approach to increase relevance among consumers
- Graph 29: considerations when shopping for outdoor furniture, by region, 2024
- Attitudes toward outdoor spaces
- Outdoor spaces contribute to quality of life
- Graph 30: attitudes toward outdoor spaces – connection to outdoor spaces, by gender and age – any agree – NET, 2024
- West Elm inspires consumers to maximize their outdoor spaces
- Help hosts to make their outdoor gatherings unforgettable
- Graph 31: attitudes toward outdoor spaces – outdoor entertaining, by age – any agree – NET, 2024
- Brands can inspire consumers with tips for their gatherings
- Consumers take a strategic approach to spending on their outdoor space
- Graph 32: attitudes toward outdoor spaces – willingness to spend – any agree – NET, 2024
- Transform inspiration into sales
- Graph 33: attitudes toward outdoor spaces – areas of opportunity – any agree – NET, 2024
- As warmer weather approaches, brands offer tangible value to drive discretionary spending
- Outdoor furniture can be a year-round opportunity, particularly in regions where the climate is less extreme
- Graph 34: attitudes toward outdoor spaces – seasonality, by region – any agree – NET, 2024
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Innovation and Marketing Trends
- IKEA implements a price-cut strategy
- Polywood crafts a sustainable future
- West Elm makes its partnerships count
- Opportunities
- Key opportunities
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Appendix
- Market definition
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
- How to read TURF analysis
- The older consumers are, the higher their homeownership rate
- Historically, homeownership among multicultural householders is lower
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