There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do.
On Trial: Neighbor Outdoor Sofa
The Tester: Christine Anderson, chief household runner for four very messy beings (one husband, one toddler, two dogs)
The Brief: Neighbor’s patio furniture is lifeproof, weatherproof, and lazy-owner proof. It’s brilliantly crafted from Sunbrella fabric (so it resists fading in the sun and is super durable), teak wood (Forest Stewardship Council-certified, Grade-A teak to be exact), marine-grade hardware (so it won’t rust or degrade in temperature swings), and quick-drying foam cushions (which prevent mold growth and allow you to use it more quickly after a rain shower).
Since my husband and I finally completed our biggest pandemic project — a 12-by-60-foot deck — I began the hunt for patio furniture. But I wasn't looking for just any outdoor sofa — I had a long list of requirements, and I knew it was going to be a challenge to find a brand that fit my needs. I was on the hunt for sustainable, pet-friendly, all-season, all-weather durability, sun-fade, mold-resistant, and machine-washable cushioned patio furniture. Oh, and, if possible, I also wanted a teak wood frame.
Did I find it? Yes, I did — meet Neighbor.
I can’t even begin to explain how many hours I spent digging around popular online furniture websites filtering through checkboxes for “machine-washable cushions” and “teak wood frame” — only to find that if it had one material requirement, it didn’t have the other. Or, if the cushions were indeed washable, they weren’t Sunbrella. If the cushions were Sunbrella, the only frame option was wicker.
To say I was frustrated is an understatement. I was just minutes away from reluctantly clicking “purchase now” on an Outer sofa (which costs at least twice as much as the Neighbor one we ended up with), but once I came across Neighbor’s outdoor sofa, I knew I found the one. If your hunt for durable outdoor furniture has been equally frustrating, look no further than Neighbor.
Why Does Teak Matter in Outdoor Furniture?
Longevity and sustainability were at the top of my list when hunting for an outdoor sofa and I wanted something that would last for years to come. Let's be honest — when outdoor furniture is cheaply made, it doesn’t last and quickly ends up in a landfill. By using the most durable, water-repelling, rot- and pest-resistant wood, Neighbor’s teak-framed furniture is going to last me anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Not only am I saving money in the long run, but I’m saving multiple cheap patio sets from a life in the local dump.
What Makes Sunbrella Fabric So Special?
The last thing I have time for in a house with two working adults, one toddler, two dogs, and Colorado's blazing sun and snowy winters is to worry about the state of our patio furniture before guests arrive. Plus, I’m a lazy homeowner. If there's a corner I can cut, I’ll do it. I know zero people in my house are going to A) put outdoor sofa cushions in the shed after each use or B) put a cover on the sofa after each use. (They do make covers, but I'm just being honest with myself here.) This is exactly why Neighbor's durable Sunbrella fabric is perfect for anyone looking to preserve quality throughout years of use.
With Sunbrella fabric, liquids ball up and are easily wiped off, muddy dog footprints dry in minutes, and can be brushed away. If your sofa cushions get really dirty (like, if your toddler decides to draw on them with sidewalk chalk), you can simply unzip the outer shell and toss them in the washer. Sunbrella won’t fade after prolonged sun exposure and won’t grow mildew after a winter in the snow. It’s always ready to party.
What About Style?
I’m not a fan of wicker, so the clean, modern lines of Neighbor’s outdoor sofa in teak were a huge draw to me. The more I did my research, the more I realized how quickly patio furniture styles would change, the same as other design trends. But to me, finding a style that I love is way more important than buying something that's fashionable right now.
We all end up donating or tossing fast fashion —and furniture is no different. If the sofa were too trendy, I’d be sick of it in 2 years or so. Understated elegance is the way to make a piece of furniture last for decades, and Neighbor’s classic look will ensure I love my outdoor sofa that much longer.
Bottom Line: Neighbor’s outdoor furniture line is honestly priced for the highest quality materials. We’re 6 months into owning our sofa, and even though my dogs choose to sunbathe on it, my toddler leaves popsicles to melt on the cushions, and more glasses of red wine have been spilled on it than we can count — it still looks just like it did the day we took it out of the box.
Aside from the sustainability and longevity, the Neighbor sofa is just downright comfortable — and what's more important than that in a sofa?
Read more:
11 Best Outdoor Sections to Relax on This Year
9 Best Patio Dining Sets That'll Make You Love Outdoor Dining All Over Again
11 Outdoor Lounge Chairs That Are Perfect for Your Staycation
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Christine is the Executive Director of Content Strategy for Hearst's Enthusiast Group (BestProducts.com, Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, Bicycling), where she spends her days digging through data for trends and analyzing user behavior (but also there is lot of shopping); she’s a certified yoga instructor, avid half-marathoner, new mom, partial vegan, dog lover, future sommelier, and hiker/camper extraordinaire. She studied both Journalism and Apparel Design at Colorado State University, got her start in media as an intern at Harper's BAZAAR, and thinks we’ll all be living in “Amazon Prime Villages” shortly — and is totally OK with that.
