Spring arrived early here in the desert this year, and it had us wanting to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
But as much as I loved the patio furniture we had purchased over the past couple of years, it just didn’t hold up to our harsh climate and was starting to look a little tired. So the search began.
And like most design decisions in our house, it began with a little browsing on the Pottery Barn website.
After one look at their spring lookbook, the Huntington wicker set completely captured my heart. It’s absolutely beautiful.
And then… I did the math.
The sectional (on sale) was around $6,600. Chairs were about $1,000 each. Tables? Extra. Cushions? Extra. Pillows? Extra. Delivery? Also extra.
You see where this is going.
If spending close to $10,000 on patio furniture had been in the budget, it would have been a strong contender. But honestly, I also had concerns about how well it would hold up in our desert climate.
Because let’s be real—what does hold up out here isn’t always pretty. It’s usually darker, heavier furniture that shows every bit of dust after a windy day.
We visited a couple of local patio furniture stores, and the options ranged from just okay to not at all what we wanted. Costco had some great pricing and delivery options, but we’ve had the darker powder-coated furniture before and I was ready for a change.
I checked Wayfair and even a few traditional furniture stores, but everything started to feel overwhelming.
I was just about ready to give up and stay inside.
And then I remembered something.
Over the years, I had seen the Better Homes & Gardens patio furniture from Walmart that so many people say gives a Pottery Barn look for much less—and with surprisingly good reviews.
So my husband and I went to a couple of Walmarts to see what they had in person.
Some of the sets were just okay. One even felt a little too lightweight for us.
But the River Oaks set kept catching my eye online. Unfortunately, none of the stores nearby had it in stock, so if we ordered it, it would truly be sight unseen.
Even though it was significantly less than Pottery Barn, it was still an investment.
In the end, we decided to go for it.
The boxes arrived looking a little worse for wear, and I’ll admit—we were both a bit skeptical at that point. And of course, my husband was the one in charge of assembly (and it was no small task).
But after a few hours—and a lot of effort—it all came together beautifully.
I added a few pillows and planters from the My Texas House line at Walmart, and once everything was in place, I couldn’t have been happier.
It truly gives that Pottery Barn-inspired look at a fraction of the cost, and it feels just right for our space.
Roxy and I have already spent many happy hours out here—reading, relaxing, and just enjoying the beautiful spring weather.
Wrap Up
Thank you for following along on our patio journey—and for listening to all the twists and turns it took to get here.
We do have a couple more backyard projects planned, though they’ll be a bit bigger and not quite DIY, so I’ll be sure to share those once they’re underway.
I know not everyone is enjoying spring weather just yet, but I’m sending you lots of sunshine, love, and springtime vibes.