The arrival of warm weather and the decision to host Clara’s party outdoors have put us back into full-on outdoor-project mode. Picture me in overalls and a striped hat, bleary-eyed from late-night baby wake-ups but thrilled to spend time outside. We spent months last year transforming the sunroom into a bright, functional veranda: we ripped up the old carpet, replaced broken doors, lofted the ceiling, had electrical work done, installed a plank ceiling, added two fans, and tiled the floor. Right now there’s an indoor daybed (from West Elm, not intended for permanent outdoor use), an old Ikea coffee table, and a couple of dining chairs that never made it back inside after the party.
For Clara’s party we borrowed two chairs from inside and added four outdoor chairs from Target for extra seating. Seeing the space filled with that temporary, mismatched mix made us want more permanent outdoor furniture. So we began hunting for an outdoor sofa to anchor the space.
We figured buying a big piece first would help us plan the rest of the layout. Since we already have a dining table with an umbrella on the deck, a shaded lounge area on the sunroom-turned-veranda felt right. We were drawn to the woven wicker look over wood or metal, and we wanted Sunbrella fabric for its durability and long life. Here are the main options we considered:
1. We liked a loveseat from Crate & Barrel for its style and Sunbrella upholstery, and it was on sale, but the two- or three-piece base worried us. Friends had seen sectional bases drift apart, so we preferred a single-piece sofa. The price was still high at about $2,222 even with the sale.
2. A Pottery Barn couch felt luxurious and cozy. Initially it was priced around $2,000, but upgrading to Sunbrella fabric added roughly $399, and the specific model we liked eventually went out of stock.
3. Another Pottery Barn option was available in two sizes. The $1,400 size was more of a loveseat; our space required the larger $1,800 version. Neither size included Sunbrella as standard—adding it increased the cost by $300 or more.
4. An Amazon three-seater looked like a bargain at $489 and had many positive reviews. However, several one-star reviews reported that the wicker deteriorated after a single season, which was a major red flag for longevity.
5. Restoration Hardware offered a beautiful wicker frame we admired in person, but it’s sold separately from the cushions. The frame cost about $1,500 and Sunbrella cushions were an additional $555—making the total much higher than we’d hoped.
6. We’d also been eyeing a set from Home Depot made by Brown Jordan. That option stood out for its build quality, a 15-year frame warranty, a five-year fabric warranty, and white-glove delivery (they place and unwrap the furniture for you). The price was $1,399 and it came with Sunbrella fabric as standard, which made it very appealing.
We also searched Craigslist, Joss & Main, Overstock, Hayneedle, and Wayfair without finding anything that appealed as much. Being able to see options in person mattered a lot—we wanted to make sure sofas were comfortable, sat at the right height, and used soft, non-scratchy fabric. When we finally found a floor model of the Brown Jordan chair in a showroom and sat on it, we were sold. It felt comfortable and looked great in person, so we ordered the sofa.
Although the price isn’t small, we’re hoping this sofa will last for years, which fits our goal for the sunroom since we don’t plan a second phase of renovations out there. Its arrival should jump-start several other updates we’ve been meaning to tackle: building a coffee table, installing sconces for ambient lighting, adding an outdoor-friendly table on the other side of the space, and bringing in finishing touches like potted plants and side tables.
For now, you can find me in the driveway holding a cute baby and watching for the delivery truck. I’m trying to keep my excitement in check, but only barely.