Yardzen Design Awards 2022

This summer, Yardzen clients and staffers spent hundreds of hours outside in their yards, enjoying the pleasure of outdoor living – lounging in an Adirondack chair, gathering with friends around a dining table, and relaxing around a firepit.

Yardzen Awards are given to one product in each category, selected from hundreds of options available from our partners. Yardzen’s team hand picks each award winner, using data from tens of thousands of Yardzen yards and real-world testing. All of the winners presented here reflect Yardzen’s commitment to beautiful, functional, and sustainable outdoor spaces.

As part of the Yardzen design and build process, our talented designers hand-select furniture and decor for every client, prioritizing sustainability, durability, function, and style. Here are our design team’s top picks for outdoor furniture this year (so far!).

Best Outdoor Lounge Chair

Low Chair – Teak by Neighbor

Neighbor’s newest addition to their family of FSC-certified outdoor furniture, we love this modern take on the classic Adirondack. This is our top furniture pick of the year because it’s comfortable, it’s sustainable, and it goes with everything.

Best Outdoor Dining Chair

Manila Indoor/Outdoor Dining Chair by Lulu & Georgia

One of our most coveted furniture pieces this year is the Manila Dining Chair from Lulu & Georgia. Designed with comfort in mind, this elegant chair in organic colors and textures makes a statement in any yard. Because this chair comes at a higher price point, we recommend purchasing one or two and making them the focal point of your dining table, pairing them with long wood benches.

Best Outdoor Dining Table

Trestle Teak Table by Terrain

This exceedingly well-priced outdoor dining table strikes the balance between a camp-inspired picnic table and elegant alfresco dining table. Pair with matching benches.

Best Outdoor Coffee Table

Teak Outdoor Coffee Table – Square Leg by Outer

This outdoor coffee table (or cocktail table!) is an instant classic. The FSC-certified teak naturally repels moisture and will weather beautifully without any maintenance, making this a timeless piece a must for any yard.

Best Outdoor Rug

Braid Rug by Neighbor

Make a statement with a bold, black, braided rug! Made of Sunbrella yarn, these durable rugs add comfort, warmth, and style to any yard. Plus, the dark color is a very easy way to hide the inevitable dirt.

Best Outdoor Couch

Vista Sofa by Jenni Kayne

This summer, Jenni Kayne Home launched their new outdoor furniture line, including the Vista Sofa, which features FSC-certified teak, a wicker seat and back, and rich, linen cushions in three organic colorways. Like all things Jenni Kayne, this sofa beautifully brings to life their timeless, effortless California style.

Best Outdoor Chaise Lounge

The Sun Lounger by Neighbor

Throughout the warm season, you will find us on our Neighbor chaise, made of FSC-certified teak and performance Sunbrella fabric. Although we do love the classic look of the white fabric, the green is our current favorite, as it blends beautifully with the natural surrounding and does a great job at hiding any dirt.

Best Raised Bed

Raised Bed by Vego Garden 

Vego raised beds are a favorite among Yardzen clients for their contemporary look, affordable price, and incredible ease of use – they come to your door in a box! We love that they come in several different colors, shapes, and sizes.

Best Fire Pit

Yukon 2.0 by Solo Stove 

You’ve heard us talk about Solo Stoves before, and for good reason! Solo Stoves are a low-smoke, high-heat fire pit that work beautifully in any style of yard. Plus, because they are so lightweight, they are easy to move throughout the yard and take on your next outdoor adventure!

Best Exterior Light

Factory 4 Outdoor Sconce by Schoolhouse

The highly sought-after farmhouse exterior light gets a new look from Schoolhouse, the Portland-based, ethically sourced lighting and decor company. The mix of lines on this light – both elegantly curved and industrially straight – means that this light works with every home style. Plus, the high-sheen paint, in bright white, black, and green, makes this statement fixture pop on any exterior.

Best Pathway Light

Chesapeake Bronze Cone Landscape Path Light by Lamps Plus

The clean and modern shape of these inexpensive pathway lights makes them unobtrusive during the day, yet highly effective at illuminating a pathway at night. We especially love how well this fixture works across different home and landscaping styles thanks to the simple shape and dark finish. Plus, at $69, these lights give you a lot of light for your buck! Explore more of our Landscaping Lighting recommendations. (Yardzen Render with similar lights)

Best Barbecue

Charcoal Grill by Spark

There are several fantastic grills on the market, but Spark has quickly become our top choice for its range of temperatures and functions, including pizza making! We especially love the electric ignition, which gets your coals hot in 10 minutes without a chimney or lighter fluid.

Best Outdoor Serveware

Enamelware by Jenni Kayne x Crow Canyon

We love this neutral enamelware collection from Jenni Kayne x Crow Canyon – an easy solution for worry-free outdoor dining. Pair with this Bistro flatware.

Best Outdoor Pillow

Outdoor Pillows by West Elm

This summer, we loved the quality and selection of West Elm’s outdoor pillows! For a textural neutral with a pop of color, we love the Woven Dash Pillow. And, for a more classic look, the Natural Center Stripe pillow is always a winner.

Best Outdoor Throw

McNutt Waterproof Wool Blanket by McNutt

This cozy wool blanket in a beautiful blue gingham is waterproof! Perfect for cozy, dewy evenings on your outdoor couch and for setting up a picnic on your lawn.

Best Outdoor Pot

Fiber Concrete Barrel Pots by Terrain

These surprisingly lightweight, hand-crafted fiber concrete pots come in a range of sizes and colors, making them the perfect addition to any front porch or back deck. These pots are the perfect way to add color and pollinator-supporting plants to your yard– without breaking your back or the bank!