From a Parking Lot to Your Backyard: The Story of Paddy O' Furniture

There's something special about a business built on a simple idea — that the right outdoor furniture can turn any backyard into a place where people actually want to gather.

That's the idea that started Paddy O' Furniture in 1988. And 37 years later, it's still the idea that drives everything we do.

It Started with a Parking Lot and a Sewing Machine

Our founder, Tony Schindler, didn't launch with a big budget or a fancy showroom. He started by selling outdoor furniture out of a rented nursery lot in Phoenix, teaching himself to sew cushions on a 1960s Singer machine he'd picked up along the way.

It wasn't glamorous. But customers loved what he was creating — well-made furniture at honest prices, sold by someone who genuinely cared about what went into their backyard. That word-of-mouth reputation became the foundation everything else was built on.

A Family Business Finds Its Home (1991)

By 1991, Tony's brother joined him and together they opened the first Paddy O' Furniture showroom at 41st and Bell Road in Phoenix. For the first time, customers could walk in, sit down, and really experience what great outdoor furniture felt like.

More locations followed through the 90s and into the 2000s — Chandler, Cave Creek, Scottsdale, North Phoenix. Each showroom was staffed with people who knew outdoor furniture inside and out, and who took the time to help customers find the right fit for their space and their life.

The Product That Changed Everything

If you've ever sat in a Paddy O' Furniture piece and thought this is the most comfortable outdoor chair I've ever been in — there's a good chance a Bliss Cushion is involved.

Our signature Bliss Cushion is American-made and built with a Crypton® barrier that makes it waterproof, stain resistant, dust-proof, and easy to clean. Spills wipe right off. It's engineered with lumbar support, neck support, and a double layer of Dacron for the kind of plush comfort that makes you forget you're sitting outside. Arizona named us the #1 outdoor furniture store for 12 years running, and the Bliss Cushion is a big part of the reason why.

Growing Beyond Arizona

Great outdoor living isn't just an Arizona thing — and Paddy O' has always known that. Over the years, we've expanded to serve customers in Tennessee and Minnesota too, bringing the same commitment to quality and service that Phoenix customers have trusted for decades.

Still Family, in Every Sense

In 2023, Paddy O' Furniture became an employee-owned company. The people who help you find the perfect dining set, deliver your new lounge chairs, and follow up to make sure everything is just right — they're owners now too. It means that when you shop with us, everyone you interact with has a personal stake in making sure your experience is a great one.

What's Always Been True

A lot has changed since Tony first set up shop in a parking lot. Our showrooms are bigger. Our collections are broader. Our cushions are significantly more comfortable than anything a 1960s sewing machine could produce.

But the reason people keep coming back — and keep sending their friends and family our way — has never changed. We believe that your outdoor space deserves the same care and attention as the inside of your home. We believe in furniture built to last, not just to impress. And we believe that the best backyards are the ones where people actually want to spend time together.

That's been true since 1988. It's still true today.

Come see us. Your backyard is waiting.