My Months-Long Outdoor Sectional Search Led Me to This Comfy Solid Wood Set

PublishedJun 23, 2024 1:57 AM EDT

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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—and honestly, I’ve fully become a country mouse since then. I’m loving the ease of rural living and learning all the ins and outs of homeownership. It’s the first time I’ve had a yard and outdoor space to actually play with, including a big pool deck. The lower level of that deck, though? It’s been a real challenge to furnish and use regularly. Last year I had dreams of creating a lounge with a projector where my husband and I (both huge cinephiles and card/dice game people) could hang out on 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 numb and our backs hurt. My summer dream wilted, and the space sat unused for another 365 days. Oops.

So this year, I was determined. I needed a sectional that checked off three boxes: it had to feel as good to hang out on as my indoor sofa, actually be stylish, and turn this underutilized space into a place to relax all season long. Enter Article’s 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 way more on an outdoor sofa than you would an indoor 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 went with Article for the style, price point, and reviews. So many buyers commented on how comfortable the Lubek was and how durable the cushions are (the company sells cushion covers separately, so if you ever want to switch it up, you can).

After the previous summer’s uncomfortable seating debacle, I needed something with seriously good cushions and support. This corner sectional had all of that and more. There are double cushions on the back (one single panel plus loose pillow cushions), bench seat cushions so you won’t awkwardly fall between them, 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: my dog, Gertie. She immediately hopped up and sprawled out. The space ultimately has to work for her too, and honestly, 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 is to focus on aesthetics, I really wanted pieces that balanced form and function (a.k.a. comfort). I was immediately drawn to the Lubek’s richly hued acacia-wood frame, especially the chic slatted back that makes it look good even from behind. I knew the low profile and crisp modern angles would stand out against the surrounding woods and plants, and play nicely with the acacia lounges already up by the pool. The Lubek comes in a lighter colorway too, but the deep gray and warm wood complement 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 pieces over time for our interiors, but in this case summer was right around the corner, and it was honestly so satisfying to get a set that immediately made the space feel put-together.

We opted for white-glove delivery since the Lubek is four large pieces, and the whole process was seamless. I’d already picked up 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—totally worth the money. Assembly looked pretty straightforward, but tedious and awkward given the size of the pieces.

Two important care things to note: the sofa and table are made of wood, which makes them a bit higher maintenance than metal or resin—I plan to buy covers to protect them from summer rain and sun damage. And while I love the bench cushions, they’re 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 definitely something to consider if you like to store yours rather than cover them.

As for layering in decor, just adding a few throw pillows and an outdoor rug had us ready to party. I went with some cabana-stripe Sunbrella throw pillows that match my umbrellas on the upper deck, plus a few 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 in the entire time we’ve lived here. We had our first movie night recently (a late-night showing of Jaws) and so many long alfresco dinners 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—and honestly, it was so worth it.

Brit Ashcraft is an award-winning creative director and graphic designer. She led design at Domino from 2019 to 2025. She has over twelve years of experience working in branding, design, and marketing specializing in interiors, lifestyle, and real estate.

Belle is the in-house photographer and associate photo editor for Domino, capturing everything from home tours to gift guides, plus the occasional how-to project. She joined the photo team as an intern in 2018 and was brought on full time in January 2021.

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