Paging through our archives, we realized we'd never done a comprehensive "best of" list for outdoor furniture stores. With heat waves happening across the country, it's now or never, so we scoured our listings for favorite stores and sources, organized into three categories: high-end ($$$), mid-range ($$), and budget ($).

Best High-End Outdoor Furniture Stores

• Curran: Based out of Seattle, this online/catalog retailer has a gorgeous selection of high-end furniture for the yard or patio. They work with contemporary designers to create unique, sculptural statement pieces.
  • Shown: Kolorado Collection, $1,350 - $3,950
• B and B Italia: A leg of this Italian company is devoted entirely to outdoor furnishings. They carry designs by Patricia Urquiola, Naoto Fukasawa, and Richard Schulz, who designed the iconic 1966 Swell Collection.
  • Shown: Swell Seating Collection by Richard Schultz, price on request
• Janus et Cie: This company specializes in to-the-trade pieces that are perfect for poolside. They sell to both contract and residential markets, and their furniture can be found in many high-end spas and hotels.
  • Shown: Gigi Chair, price on request
• Dedon Outdoor Furniture: Based out of Germany, Dedon is a big name in the outdoor furniture business, and they're expanding — they just opened a New York flagship store in SoHo last year.
  • Shown: Orbit Chair, price on request
• Knoll: A go-to source for mid-century classics and office furniture, Knoll also stocks some amazing outdoor sets. While prices are high, these are modern classics — shop here for simple metal basics that will last forever.
  • Shown: Toledo Chair by Jorge Pensi, starting at $1,074
• FermobUSA: This French company makes bistro sets in every color of the rainbow, as well as contemporary variations on European outdoor classics. While prices on designer collections are high, they also make more affordable basic bistro sets.
  • Shown: 7101 Flower Chair, $410
• Coalesse: Owned by Steelcase, they produce office and outdoor furniture with designers like Arik Levy and Patricia Urquiola. Previously a primarily-contract company, they opened an online retail store earlier this year.
  • Shown: Emu Pattern Chair by Arik Levy, $930
• McGuire Furniture: Owned by the Kohler/Baker company, McGuire is an outdoor brand with a classic aesthetic. Their use of natural materials with high-end craftsmanship goes back to their founding in the 1950s.
  • Shown: Laura Kirar Barrel Lounge Chair, $930

Best Mid-Range Outdoor Furniture Stores

• Teak, Wicker and More: This online store is part of the CSN chain, and they have a huge selection of outdoor furniture. Not all of it is cheap, but you can find good deals if you look around.
  • Shown: Eucalyptus 5-piece folding patio set, $450
• American Country Home Store: Don't let the name fool you — they sell a lot of pieces that aren't at all country, including French Fermob bistro sets. Prices are within reason, and they've got a huge range of colors.
  • Shown: Folding High Bistro Table, $315
• Design Within Reach: They straddle the mid-to-high categories, and they carry several exclusive colors and collections. For instance, their version of the popular Tolix Marais chair comes in exclusive DWR colors.
  • Shown: Tolix Marais A Chair, $250
• Cafe Society: Based out of California, co-founders Joan and Steve carry Fermob bistro sets as well as other vendors who fall within the "European cafe lifestyle" aesthetic.
  • Shown: Bistro Duraflon Chair, $99
• Room & Board: Best out of Minneapolis, they specialize mainly in American furniture that's modern, moderately priced, and well made. Their outdoor collection includes several "modern classics."
  • Shown: Emeco Navy 111 Side Chair in Red, $245
• Seasonal Living: Although they're mainly a wholesale and to-the-trade company, their website includes a "closeout" section that's open to retail shoppers, where you can find good deals on outdoor furniture.
  • Shown: Cylinder 'Ringed' Table, on sale for $125 (reg. $445)
• Industry West: Based out of Beaufort, South Carolina, their catalog is composed of "inspired recreations of 19th and 20th century designs," (aka knockoffs) that are made from reclaimed wood and metal.
  • Shown: Marais A side chair, $145

Best Budget Outdoor Furniture Stores

• West Elm: A chain store with nice modern basics, West Elm brings in a ton of outdoor furniture in the spring and summer months. It also goes on sale frequently, so you can find good deals throughout the summer.
  • Shown: Martini Side Table, $129
• TINI Store: Antique stores are always a good place to look for patio and deck furniture. Los Angeles-based TINI has a large rotating inventory of reasonably priced modern designs, and you can buy online.
  • Shown: Turquoise Outdoor Chair, $90
• CB2: They have stores across the country and they post all their inventory online. They carry a few consistent collections while updating their outdoor catalog with new trends each year.
  • Shown: Rex Gray Armchair, on sale for $50 (reg. $70)
• IKEA: It's rare that IKEA doesn't make one of our budget resource lists, simply because they're so big, so affordable, and their stuff tends to be mimic higher end modern collections.
  • Shown: Ammero Chaise Lounge, $99
• World Market: Every summer, they have a ton of discounted wood and metal patio furniture, and they always bring back their popular line of inexpensive Adirondack chairs.
  • Shown: Red Adirondack Collection, on sale for $30 - $80
• The Rocking Chair Company: If you're looking for traditional outdoor furniture, the Rocking Chair Company has a wide range of classic, Adirondack, rustic, and wicker styles, as well as outdoor cushions.
  • Shown: Outdoor Cushion in Soho Robin $30

Photo: Fermob Flower Chair