US Outdoor Furniture & Grills

Outdoor Living Continues to Be Popular Among Consumers

The best opportunities exist in product areas that address the specific interests and needs of those who entertain outdoors or often use their outdoor spaces. Social media influencers have an increasing impact on trends in the US, particularly among younger people looking to expand the use of their outdoor spaces for cost-effective entertainment, health and wellness, and sustainability concerns. These products include:

• high-end outdoor furniture suites that replicate indoor living rooms

• outdoor furniture that uses eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood or recycled plastic

• outdoor furniture and grills with built-in features such as digital temperature controls that allow monitoring through mobile phone apps or chargers built into furniture

• heating products such as tabletop heaters, infrared heaters, or firepits

Imports Will Continue to Account for a Significant Share of Demand

Through the forecast period, imports will continue to account for about half of all demand for outdoor furniture and grills generated in the US. The best opportunities exist for companies that can fit the changing economic reality in terms of tariffs and have the ability to respond quickly to market needs. Additionally, suppliers with production facilities close to on-trend natural material sources will benefit from increasing demand for eco-friendly furniture made from renewable and sustainable materials.

Historically, China was the leading supplier of outdoor furniture and grills to the US market. However, China’s share has been declining over the past decade, accounting for 64% in 2023 versus 74% in 2013, in part due to tariffs being placed on Chinese goods. Further supply chain shifts are possible with additional tariffs expected in the near term. Manufacturers in Vietnam, India, and other Asian countries have met some of this demand, particularly for wood, wicker, and rattan furniture. Imports from Mexico, the second leading source of imports to the US of outdoor furniture and grills, will continue to increase its share of imports owing to its proximity and lack of tariffs due to the USMCA.

Historical Market Trends & Growth Factors

The outdoor furniture and grill market can be somewhat volatile due to the variability of consumer spending, building construction and renovation, and weather. In addition, trends in consumer behavior and preferences play a large role in the outdoor living market. For example, when “staycations” are popular (as in times of economic downturn, or more recently during the pandemic), there is generally greater investment in products like patio furniture and outdoor cooking equipment.

Trends in the construction sector also influence demand for outdoor products. For example, new residential construction and home improvement activities often involve the installation of new patios, decks, and other outdoor living spaces that need to be outfitted.

In addition to changes influenced by consumer spending, the outdoor furniture and grill market is generally a highly seasonal business:

• A significant share of retail sales occurs between March and June, but variations in weather can affect the timing of the market’s peak season.

• In years with an early spring, retail sales of outdoor furniture and grills can begin in early March, while a cold or rainy spring can delay such purchases until late May.

• Additionally, regional differences can affect product sales. In general, warmer climates support longer outdoor living seasons and thus higher sales of outdoor living products.

To some extent, increasing demand for patio heating products counteracts the outdoor furniture and grill market’s seasonality by making outdoor spaces more comfortable and extending their usability into nights and colder seasons. However, many areas of the country still become too cold for part of the year for homeowners to use their outdoor living spaces year-round. Variations that develop from climate change may cause disruptions in these patterns going forward.

Demand by Product

Demand for outdoor furniture and grills is expected to grow 3.1% per year to $14.6 billion in 2028. In 2021, sales of outdoor furniture and grills saw robust gains as consumers and commercial entities added or upgraded outdoor spaces. Despite the large declines seen in 2023, demand will return to growth in 2024, with gains boosted by:

• continued preference for outdoor living, which increasingly involves more elaborate and higher value set-ups

• rising personal spending, which will allow some consumers to purchase better quality outdoor products

Outdoor living is an especially important concept for the outdoor furniture and grill market. Consumers increasingly see their outdoor spaces as central locations for activities like cooking, dining, lounging, and entertaining. Each of these activities translates into significant sales of outdoor cooking equipment, furniture in dining sets and chat groups, fire pits and other patio heating products, and a variety of related accessories.

Furniture benefits the most from outdoor living since most of the activities associated therewith – especially entertaining – call for several pieces of furniture. Additionally, furniture may be replaced or upgraded ahead of the end of its useful lifespan as style preferences change.

Demand in the outdoor cooking equipment market will be sustained by the growing number of households that own more than one piece of equipment. Most outdoor cooking products are grills, and trends that reflect habits in grilling typically apply to all outdoor cooking products. Many households start with some type of grill and then expand to other products. For example, replacement and upgrade purchases are significant, particularly as consumers move away from relatively simple charcoal grills toward more feature-rich grills and specialty cooking options. Nevertheless, the market is relatively mature, particularly considering the pandemic-related surge in demand for cooking equipment.

Patio heating products grew at an above average pace in the historical period – albeit from a relatively small base – as chat groups with fire pits became more popular, new outdoor heating products were introduced, and commercial establishments continued prioritizing outdoor seating for patrons. The ongoing popularity of outdoor living and outdoor restaurant dining will support gains going forward.

Foreign Trade

Imports by Country

China is the leading source of imported outdoor furniture and grills by far even though its share of imports has dipped since the imposition of tariffs in 2018. Although Chinese imports are increasingly of higher quality, many are lower-end commodities that are easily transported, such as extruded aluminum patio furniture.

The results of the 2024 presidential election have renewed the threat of additional high tariffs on goods imported from China (a key source of outdoor furniture and grills). As of November 2024, companies throughout the economy that rely on production in China were already beginning to bake in the expected effects of these tariffs by building domestic stocks, reevaluating supply chains, and raising prices.

Other Asian countries, particularly India and Taiwan, have benefited from the tariffs on China, and imports from these countries have shown strong growth. Some suppliers have looked to limit their imports from China by finding sources based in alternative manufacturing locations.

Canada and Mexico are also significant sources of outdoor furniture and grill imports, owing primarily to these countries’ proximity to the US.

Report Details

This study analyzes US markets for outdoor furniture and grill products. Specific products covered include:

• outdoor furniture (furniture made of metal, plastic, wicker, rattan, or wood)

• furniture accessories (umbrellas, furniture covers, cushions and accent pillows, hammocks and stands, and area rugs)

• outdoor cooking equipment (gas, charcoal and other solid fuel, and electric and liquid fuel) and related accessories (spare and replacement tanks, grill covers, cooking and cleaning utensils, other appliance parts)

• patio heating products (chimeneas, fire pits, fireplaces, and radiant heaters)

This study only covers manufactured outdoor cooking equipment products, including kits requiring assembly, and excludes site-built cooking implements (like pizza ovens built from bricks and grating) that are not marketed specifically for that purpose. However, kits that require assembly – as in fire pits or fireplaces – are included in this study’s scope. Also excluded are lawn ornaments, water features (e.g., fountains), statues, bird feeders, and wind chines.

Historical data for 2013, 2018, and 2023 and forecasts for 2028 and 2033 are provided for outdoor furniture and grill demand at the manufacturer’s level in current dollars (which are not adjusted to account for inflation). Demand is broken out by the above product types, by market (consumer-grade and commercial-grade). Unit demand for outdoor cooking equipment is provided with pricing estimates, and deflators are provided for major product categories. Annual demand data are presented for the 2020-2027 period. The study also includes retail sales estimates and consumer survey data.