When Is the Best Time to Buy Outdoor Furniture?

Shopping for outdoor furniture isn't just about finding the right style—it's about knowing when to buy. Whether you're looking for handcrafted rustic benches, a sturdy picnic table, or a porch swing, timing can save you hundreds of dollars while getting exactly what you want.

Why Timing Matters When Buying Outdoor Furniture

Like any other industry, the outdoor furniture market also exhibits predictable seasonal patterns. Depending on the time of the year, pricing and availability change, sometimes with a variation of 30 to 50 percent.

Here's how the seasons change outdoor furniture pricing and availability:  

• Retailers raise prices and build inventory to hedge against peak demand and then heavily discount to clear stock  
• Sellers fully stock their inventory for the spring season and then limit their stock for the fall.  
• For hand-crafted furniture, busy seasons result in longer lead times  
• For wooden furniture, seasonal weather also affects delivery times  
• Quality handmade rustic furniture is worth the wait, especially for the seasonal price.
  
  

Spring: The Peak Season for New Collections

March and April are when new outdoor furniture collections hit the market. Retailers unveil their latest patio sets, rustic chairs, outdoor swings, and garden benches in every style you can imagine.

The upside: You get the widest selection available, perfect for matching sets and coordinated pieces. Handmade furniture makers have completed their winter production runs, so inventory is fresh.

The downside: You'll pay a premium price, expect 20-30% more than fall pricing. Custom orders can take 10-12 weeks due to high demand.

Now, if you're considering handmade cedar furniture, here's something worth knowing: a mass-produced chair bought for $50 might last 3-4 years (that's $12-16 per year). A handcrafted cedar chair at $349 that lasts 25+ years? Just $14 annually. Plus, northern white cedar doesn't need annual sealing, saving you $50-100 yearly on maintenance. The mortise and tenon joinery means it actually gets sturdier over time.

Summer: When Everyone Shops for Patio Comfort

June through August is peak shopping season. Families want their outdoor spaces to be perfect for entertaining, which creates intense demand for outdoor patio picnic tables, swings, and garden chairs.

Here's what you'll face:

• Popular items sell out quickly with 8-10 week backorders
• Prices stay elevated through mid-summer
• In-stock items ship fast since carriers are in full swing

Pro tip: If you need custom rustic pieces for summer gatherings, order in March or April. A picnic table taking 6 weeks in February could require 10-12 weeks when ordered in June.

Fall: The Best Season for Discounts and Clearance Sales

September through November is when you'll find the best deals. Retailers need floor space for holiday merchandise and discount aggressively to clear inventory.

Discounts start around 30% in early September and deepen through October. By November, retailers are selling remaining stock at cost or below, sometimes 50% off.

This is ideal timing for wooden furniture. Unlike plastic furniture that's been sitting on display, properly stored wooden pieces maintain perfect condition. And for timeless rustic designs, "last season's model" doesn't mean much. Your cedar furniture can be delivered in the fall, enjoyed during mild autumn days, then stored for winter, ready when spring arrives.

Perfect for anyone who wants quality at exceptional prices.

Winter: Secret Deals for Early Planners

December through February offers unique advantages if you're planning.

Why winter works:

• Fewer buyers mean less competition
• Lead times drop to 4-6 weeks instead of 8-12 for handmade pieces
• Craftsmen give better attention to custom specifications during the slow season
• Online deals hit 15-25% off, especially the President's Day weekend

Winter ordering gets your furniture ready for spring without competing against the rush. Your custom pieces get exceptional attention during the craftsmen's quietest period.

Heads up on shipping: Wooden furniture handles cold perfectly, but winter storms can delay deliveries. Allow extra time and consider late winter/early spring delivery. Many people order in January-February for March-April arrival.

Factors That Affect Outdoor Furniture Pricing

Material Durability: Cedar vs. Pine vs. Plastic

 

• Pine: Initially beautiful but lasts only 5-7 years outside (around $25/year for a $150 bench)
• Plastic: 3-5 years but sun-damaged brittle plastic afterwards
• Cedar: 20+ years with only minimal upkeep (about $14/year for a $349 bench)

Northern white cedar is resistant to decay due to the natural oils and also repels insects and withstands extreme climates differently. Cedar also requires no chemical treatment.

Craftsmanship: Handmade Rustic Designs

Mass-produced furniture uses screws and bolts through thin lumber. Those connections loosen over time, getting wobbly within a few years.

• Handcrafted furniture is different:
• Traditional mortise and tenon joinery that strengthens over time
• Hand-hewn logs with smooth, comfortable surfaces
• Hidden fastening systems (no rusting hardware)
• Ergonomically contoured seats with generous dimensions

Shipping and Seasonality

Shipping costs peak in spring and summer when carriers charge premium rates. Fall and winter see reduced costs. For oversized items like picnic tables, free shipping promotions can save $100-200.

Supply Chain Timing

Cedar harvesting, milling, and drying follow seasonal cycles. Craftsmen who purchase lumber in bulk during optimal seasons can offer better pricing.

When Should You Buy Cedar Rustic Furniture?

Cedar's unique characteristics create specific windows for the best purchases.

Cedar is Ready Year-Round

Unlike furniture requiring weatherproofing, cedar pieces arrive ready for immediate outdoor use. The wood's natural oils provide built-in weather resistance no prep needed regardless of delivery season.

Best Timing for Handmade Cedar Furniture

Early fall (September-October): Captures clearance pricing with reasonable selection still available. Craftsmen transition from summer's hectic pace, which means exceptional attention to detail on your piece.

Late winter (February): Orders during the slowest season get maximum craftsman availability. Perfect for spring delivery.

Avoid late April through June unless you need it immediately. Peak season brings extended lead times, higher prices, and rushed production.

Explore Handcrafted Quality

Ready to invest but confused about durable quality furniture?. Handcrafted outdoor swing sets, picnic tables, and rustic chairs made with premium northern white cedar and traditional mortise and tenon joinery come with free shipping to the lower 48 states and a 20-year guarantee. You're buying once and enjoying for life.

Buy Smart, Not Just Seasonal

Strategic timing delivers better pricing, optimal selection, and ideal production schedules. But smart buying means looking beyond immediate cost to long-term value.

Your Timing Strategy

Timely decisions enhance price negotiations, selection, and production schedules. However, intelligent purchasing is more than looking at a cost; it is looking at value.

• Most substantial savings are during September-October for 30-50% discounts
• The best selection is during March-April when inventory is fully stocked.
• Ideal availability is ensured with custom handmade furniture orders during February-March or September-October.
• One can also strategically plan with winter orders for spring delivery, leveraging the slow season.

Think Investment, Not Just Purchase

The best time to buy outdoor furniture is when you shift from "furniture shopping" to "furniture investing." Instead of asking "What's cheapest?" ask "What costs least per year of use?"

A $400 furniture set, replaced every 4-5 years costs you $100 annually while creating waste. Quality handmade cedar furniture might cost more upfront, but when it lasts 25+ years, the annual cost drops significantly and you're not dealing with the hassle of constant replacements.
Explore handcrafted swings, picnic tables, and rustic chairs made to last at Cedar Creek Furniture.

Check Our Seasonal Promotions

By subscribing to our mailing list, you will be informed about our seasonal offers, newly released designs, and exclusive deals. Scheduling your order during the promotional intervals allows for smarter spending and ensures that you get what you want any time of the year.  

Your outdoors deserves to have that furniture. Beautiful, timeless pieces that will provide comfort, invite family and friends, and create a relaxing ambience during those gatherings for years to come..