Honestly, it depends on where it’s going and how hard it will be used. If you’re furnishing a small urban balcony or terrace, good quality usually means powder-coated aluminum, teak, or HDPE, not the $99 set from a big-box store. For that level, I’d budget about $250–$700 per chair, $500–$1,800 for a dining table, $900–$2,500 for a sofa or loveseat, and $200–$700 for a coffee table. A decent four-person dining set lands around $1,800–$4,500. A lounge set with a sofa, two chairs, and a coffee table is usually $2,500–$7,000.
If you’re buying for a sidewalk cafe, apartment amenity deck, park, or public plaza, you need commercial-grade furniture. That’s a different price bracket because it has to survive heavy use, weather, sun, salt, and sometimes vandalism. Commercial chairs often run $300–$900 each. Bar stools are $250–$800. Dining tables are $700–$2,500. Benches are $800–$3,500. Planters and trash receptacles can be $300–$2,000 each. Modular lounge pieces are $1,500–$6,000 per unit, and custom or designer pieces can easily hit $5,000–$15,000+ per item.
So what should you actually expect to spend? For a small urban residential setup, I’d say $1,500–$4,000 gets you good quality for a balcony or terrace. For a four-person commercial sidewalk cafe set, plan on $4,000–$10,000. For a small park or plaza seating cluster, $5,000–$20,000 is realistic. For a rooftop amenity deck or hospitality space, $10,000–$50,000+ is common. If you want one simple rule, budget $500–$1,000 per seat and $1,000–$3,000 per table or bench for true commercial quality.
The good news is that you don’t have to buy everything at once. Prioritize the pieces people touch most: chairs, tables, and seating. Spend more on frames and hardware, and save a little on accessories. Also add 10–20% for shipping, assembly, cushions, anchoring, and replacement parts. Cheap furniture looks tempting, but in an urban environment it often needs replacing in 2–3 years. Good quality should last 8–15 years, especially if you choose marine-grade hardware, UV-stable fabrics, quick-dry foam, and a 5–10 year commercial warranty. So the cost per year is often lower than buying bargain furniture again and again.