Outdoor living room from Grey Joyney (photo credit: Ashley Roberts)

Outdoor entertaining season is right around the corner, but there is no need to break the bank getting your porch or patio ready for al fresco gatherings. Here, interior designers share some of their favorite pre-loved items to shop for to bring life and personality to their backyards. Do not blame them when you have a hard time getting the family to come back inside! 

Transform Your Outdoor Space with Stylish Secondhand Furniture and Decor

Special Tablescape Supplies

It is always fun to curate a sophisticated-looking tablescape, and we are all for embracing this practice when it comes time to entertain outdoors, too. Many people associate outdoor entertaining with being super casual, but as Katie Bogart, the founder of Bogart Interiors, explains, you can most definitely still add charm to any setup to make it feel a little more special. 

“I love infusing a touch of unexpected elegance into casual outdoor gatherings,” Bogart says. “I'm always on the hunt at thrift or secondhand shops for vintage silver or pewter vessels that can hold cold drinks or potted plants.”

Another item to keep an eye out for while secondhand shopping? 

Pedestal-shaped pieces. Bogart likes using these “to add a little variety to the table.” Yo woul’d be surprised at what a bit of height can do in making any tabletop look more luxe. Additionally, do not forget to browse for textiles.

“Pretty linens are another favorite find—ones that aren't too precious but instantly elevate the ambiance of an outdoor event,” Bogart shares. 

Many people gravitate toward plastic cups and plates when hosting outdoors, but by no means do you have to sacrifice style when going the utilitarian route. 

“Keep an eye out for vintage trays and plastic outdoor glasses or pitchers to bring character to an outdoor dining party,” suggests Kristin Farnan, founder of Ridge Residential Design. 

The pieces you will come across secondhand will not be the same ones all of your neighbors are scooping up this season at the big box stores. 

Versatile Glass Bar Carts

Whether you are in the market for a bar cart for entertaining purposes or otherwise, these can make an excellent addition to the backyard, says Grey Joyner, the founder of Grey Joyner Interiors. 

“I love bar carts for their intended use, holding jugs of fun and cold beverages and drink mixers,” she says. “But I also love bar carts on which I can place vases of flowers, planters, and candles to add to the atmosphere.” 

Keep in mind that you can always spray paint or sand down a secondhand bar cart so that it better suits your aesthetic. 

Stylish Seating

Rather than buying all of your outdoor furniture brand new, scour estate sales for seating, with great bones. 

“Vintage gliders and garden chairs can be brought back to life,” Farnan explains, noting that she will reupholster these with Sunbrella fabric or paint them with Rustoleum spray paint. 

Bonus: You get to embrace your crafty side in the process! 

Coastal or boho style pieces made of rattan are also ideal for outdoor spaces. 

Alexandra Clark, the co-founder of Ashdown Studio, was happy to source a secondhand rattan sofa from the 1970s that she then jazzed up to make more contemporary. 

“The great thing about this piece is that with outdoor fabrics and new outdoor foam, we will have something that nobody else will,” she says. 

Joyner is partial to wrought iron furniture in particular. 

“When I come across a set of chairs, or a small table or even a bench, I use a bit of elbow grease to clean them up, repaint them, and add some colorful outdoor fabric pillows and cushions,” she says. “This creates cozy seating areas that can withstand the elements of weather.” 

Thea Bloch-Neal, the founder of Curated by Thea agrees, noting, “Unlike wood furniture, these pieces truly stand the test of time, and the best part? They’re easy to repaint, so you can refresh them to match your space effortlessly!” 

Pretty Planters

Do not settle for basic terra cotta planters when you can keep your eyes peeled for options that offer a little something extra. 

“Look for concrete planters and crusty old terra cotta pots—add white paint but still show terra cotta to give it a vintage look,” Farnan suggests. 

Antique urns and architectural elements are wonderful additions to a garden, too, 

Joyner adds, noting, “Not only do they help create a bit of layering in my flower beds, but they also give me and my guests something lovely to look at when we entertain in the backyard.” 

Outdoor Lawn Games

Encourage friends and family to get off their phones and actually play in the backyard. 

“I love to discover bocce ball sets, croquet, or even horseshoes,” Joyner says. “They are good for occupying children—or getting all of the adults involved and having fun!”

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

February 24, 2025     

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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