When it comes to furnishing your outdoor space, comfort is key. From cozy lounge chairs to useful sectionals and cool daybeds, new furnishings can turn your outdoor area into a sanctuary for relaxation or the ideal spot for entertaining and hosting. Shopping for outdoor furniture is no easy feat; considering all the options on the market, it can be an overwhelming task, especially if you're looking to scoop up a piece on sale for Labor Day or before outdoor hosting season wraps up.

To help you find the perfect outdoor furniture for your home, we enlisted the help of interior design expert Julie Brayton. What is the best outdoor furniture to have? If you're looking to revamp your whole backyard from scratch, Brayton recommends starting with outdoor lighting, which can immediately make the area more inviting. Then, she suggests figuring out how you'll be using the space.

"If it's you and a partner, I would start with a small bistro table and two chairs to enjoy coffee or dinner outside," she says. "If you've got a family who loves to eat outside or someone who likes entertaining outside, go with a dining table and chairs and or a bench." To help determine which outdoor furniture pieces to invest in, consider the arrangement first.

Brayton likes to create different seating zones. "Depending on what your space looks like, a place for dining will likely be the first area to appear, and then perhaps it's a two-seater bench at the end of your patio or yard, or behind your dining tab.