Good Questions: What are Some Inexpensive Shops for Outdoor Furniture?

Dear AT,

I have a garden apartment in the Wicker Park-ish area in a 3 flat building. We have a shared patio area and small yard out back. It's very depressing looking right now, and I thought I would like to get some patio furniture and such, maybe even construct/purchase a small outdoor bar setup.

Problem is 1) i don't own a car, so the obvious choice, IKEA is not really possible. 2) I own no tools and have never built anything in my life. What are some shops that are fairly Ikea-price comparable where i could purchase a nice outdoor setup?

Thanks!
Veronica

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Dear Veronica,

Have you thought about World Market?

We spotted these awesome Adirondack stools (above) on sale for $39 a pop, and this Mika sling chair on sale for $55.30.

Anyone else have some brilliant ideas for Veronica?

(This post republished from 6/15/06)

Comments (8)

I couldn't believe how cheap the modern outdoor furniture is at overstock.com. And no, I'm not affiliated. But kickass chaise lounges for 200 bucks, that look exactly like the ones I was going to drop 1300 for. And shipping is three bucks. I think they have a lot of more traditional furniture too.

posted by Greeps on 2006-06-16 07:44:09

Re: no car, no Ikea. Rent a car for the day! Look for an online deal, go on a weekday (for the best rental deals and low-traffic at Ikea) if you can, and get going. Any compact or mid-size with fold-down rear seats can fit a house/patio full of flat pack stuff.

I was in the same spot---tight budget, no car, no furniture. I rented a compact for $40, prepped ahead of time with the catalog and in the end, came out way ahead! Split it with a friend, even better.

good luck!

posted by modkatie on 2006-06-16 10:29:30

Or, join a car-sharing program like i-go (click my name). There's an annual fee, but it's $6/hr after that.

posted by Anna on 2006-06-16 11:49:47

Why not wait a few weeks? It will all be on clearance then. Target has good stuff and so does Home Depot and Lowes. It is way cheaper when clearance starts later in July. Also, overstock delivers it right to your home.

posted by Kurt on June 20th 2007 at 6:59am
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there's other car rental companies that will do hourly rental rates, but also, ikea does deliver. my friend just bought an entire living room and it was all delivered by ikea for 50 bucks.

posted by mig on June 20th 2007 at 9:09am
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One note abut the adirondack stuff at Cost-plus. It IS cheap for sure. My wife and I bought 2 adirondack chairs and stools there (99 for the chair, 39 for the stools) and one of the chairs promptly broke after assembly. In my opinion, they are pretty nice looking, but poorly constructed.

posted by drikfan on June 20th 2007 at 10:07am
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You might be able to find some furniture and accessories at places like the Brown Elephant stores as well (which is cool b/c you get furniture and the sales proceeds go to the Howard Brown Health Center). I found a bench there for dirt cheap and if anything ever happens to it I don't mind b/c I'm only out 12 bucks. Both the Wicker Park and Boystown locations have a lot of stuff.

posted by bumblebeechicago on June 21st 2007 at 6:45am
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Or how about Craigslist? These look nice.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/fur/357173687.html

posted by bumblebeechicago on June 21st 2007 at 6:20pm
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