My Months-Long Outdoor Sectional Search Led Me to this Set

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After being a city dweller my entire adult life, I bought my first house in New York’s Hudson Valley a few years ago. Since then, I’ve become a bona fide country mouse in the process—enjoying the ease of rural living and learning the ins and outs of homeownership. It’s the first time I’ve had a yard and outdoor space to play with, including a large pool deck, the lower level of which has been a challenge to furnish and use regularly. Last year I had dreams of creating a lounge with a projector where my husband and I (both avid cinephiles and card/dice game players) could hang out during the long summer evenings, so I bought a conversation set and some cute pillows. But 20 minutes into an intense game of Uno, our bums were asleep and our backs hurt. My summer dream wilted and the area went unused for another 365 days.

So this year, I was determined. I would find a sectional that checked off three boxes: It felt as good to hang out on as my indoor sofa, was actually stylish, and made this underutilized space a place to relax all season long. Enter Article’s Lubek sectional and table set.

Article Lubek Sectional and Table Set

Here at Domino, we cover a lot of outdoor seating, so I had plenty of ideas and brands to choose from. You can easily spend far more for an outdoor sofa than you would an interior couch, which wasn’t in my budget, but I also didn’t want to skimp on quality—especially after buying a set I didn’t end up liking. After comparing seemingly every outdoor sofa on the Internet, I chose Article for the style, price point, and reviews. Many buyers commented on how comfortable the Lubek was and how durable the cushions were (the company sells cushion covers separately, so if you want to switch it up, you can).

After the previous summer’s uncomfortable seating debacle, I wanted to find something that had really good cushions and support. This corner sectional had all of that and more. There are double cushions on the back (meaning one single panel and then loose pillow cushions); bench seat cushions, which means you won’t fall in between them awkwardly; and, rather than solid wood, the frame has a trampoline-like fabric under the seats that lets you really sink in. The size is great for entertaining a bunch of people or just stretching out and relaxing after a swim. It also passed the ultimate test—from my dog, Gertie. She immediately hopped up and sprawled out. Ultimately the space has to work for her, too, and I’m not the only one designing my outdoor space around my pets.

Since our deck is front and center in our yard, and because I’m a designer whose job it is to focus on aesthetics, I really wanted pieces that balanced form and function, i.e., comfort. I was immediately drawn to the Lubek’s richly hued acacia-wood frame, especially the chic slated back that makes it look good even if seen from behind. I knew the low profile and crisp modern angles would stand out against the surrounding woods and our plants, as well as play nicely with the acacia lounges already up by the pool. The Lubek has a lighter colorway available, but the deep gray and warm wood complement the color of our patio framing and house exterior (Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron) and the warm stain (Benjamin Moore Wood Stain in Teak) on the deck itself.

The set also includes a generously sized coffee table for all our snack, cocktail, and gaming needs. I usually collect items over time for our interiors, but in this case, summer was right around the corner and it was satisfying to get a set that immediately made the space feel put-together.

We opted for white-glove delivery since the Lubek consists of four large pieces, and the process was seamless. I had already purchased a few items like side tables and a rug, so I went out the day before the Lubek arrived to unfurl the rug and get the tables ready to go. The delivery team was in and out in less than 30 minutes, and it was worth the money. Assembly looked pretty straightforward, but tedious and awkward with the size of the pieces.

Two important care considerations: The sofa and table are made of wood, which makes them higher maintenance than metal or resin; I plan to purchase covers to protect them from summer rain and sun damage. And while I love the bench cushions, they are longer than standard cushions and deck boxes, so finding storage has been a challenge. Luckily, I have a shed to keep them in, but it’s something to consider if you like to store yours rather than cover them.

As for layering in decor, just adding in a few throw pillows and an outdoor rug had us ready to party. I went with a few cabana-stripe Sunbrella throw pillows that match my umbrellas on the upper deck, along with some modern concrete side tables that contrast nicely with all the dark woods and grays. And after some experimenting with our projector setup, I found an inexpensive—and cute—projector stand with a circular base that slides under the back of the sofa, keeping it secure but out of the way.

Now that we’ve had the Lubek set for a few weeks, we’ve already spent more time on the deck than the entire time we’ve lived here. We had our first movie night recently (a late-night showing of Jaws) and many long dinners alfresco while listening to João Gilberto and sipping gin and tonics. It may have taken a little trial and error, but I finally have my dreamy summer chill zone.