Short answer: some urban outdoor furniture can handle winter, but “can handle it” doesn’t always mean it will look good in spring. It depends mostly on the material, your local climate, and how exposed the piece is. If you live somewhere with hard freezes, heavy snow, ice, and road salt, I’d treat winter as a season of protection, not a test of toughness.
Start with the material. Powder-coated aluminum, stainless steel, teak, and high-density polyethylene resin are generally the best candidates for staying outside. They resist rust, rot, and freezing fairly well. But even these can suffer from freeze-thaw cycles, standing water, and salt. Teak may gray, aluminum can get scratched, and resin can become brittle in extreme cold.
Materials that should come inside or go into a shed if possible: fabric cushions, sling chairs with weak stitching, untreated wood, wrought iron, mild steel, rattan, wicker, and anything with moving parts or glass. Cushions are basically sponges. If they stay out, they can grow mildew and lose their shape. Glass tabletops can crack under snow load or ice. Wicker and natural rattan can dry out, crack, and sag.
If you can’t bring everything inside—common in city apartments, balconies, and rooftop terraces—do this: clean everything before winter, let it dry completely, and store cushions indoors. Raise furniture off the ground using blocks or feet, so it doesn’t sit in meltwater. Use a breathable furniture cover, not a plastic tarp. Plastic traps moisture and can make rust and mold worse. Tie down lightweight pieces or stack chairs in a sheltered corner. For heavy items, cover the top and leave some airflow. Check covers after storms so snow doesn’t pile up and bend frames.
A good rule: if the furniture was expensive, made of mixed materials, or has cushions, protect it. If it’s simple, powder-coated aluminum or resin and you have no storage, it will probably survive outside—but it will last longer with a cover and a little attention. So, do you need to bring urban outdoor furniture inside? Not always. But in most cold climates, the smart move is to store what you can and shelter the rest.