While it can be exciting and fun, decorating your patio can also be quite challenging as well. The most difficult task is choosing the furniture that best suits your outdoor space.
So, if you’re thinking about decorating your space, it’s reasonable to be puzzled about how to buy outdoor furniture. No worries. This patio furniture buying guide will assist you in this regard.
When purchasing patio furniture, there are various aspects to take into account. Before making an outdoor furniture purchase, you should consider different factors, including design, material, price, arrangement, size, comfort, mobility, and durability.
There are so many outdoor furniture options available on the market. And it makes choosing the right one for your patio even more difficult.
So, in this article, I’ll discuss how you can choose the best outdoor furniture, along with some other information you might find helpful.
How To Choose The Perfect Outdoor Furniture
At present times, it has become crucial to furnish spaces outside of the home. However, if you don’t have enough knowledge about the factors to take into account, buying the best outdoor furniture may appear to be quite difficult.
So let’s talk about a few factors to consider when choosing the best patio furniture:
Space & Location
Firstly, evaluating the area you intend to furnish is a must. It is important to consider the specific characteristics of the outdoor space when deciding what type of outdoor furniture to buy.
Patios are generally great for outside dining, relaxation, or barbecues.
However, measuring the area is a crucial step when buying outdoor furniture. You would not want to get a sectional sofa only to find out that it’s too large for your patio after the delivery men have shipped it.
Besides, consider the usable area, traffic flow, and form in addition to the precise distance between two points.
Remember, smaller pieces of furniture are a fantastic choice if your space is odd-shaped. Moreover, the same number of people may sit at a few bistro tables and barstools like a giant dining set.
Furthermore, consider thinking about three-dimensionality for a moment as well. You might require imagination to visualize what it might feel like to be sitting in a particular location. For instance, how much space would you need to stand and walk around?
Again, the space may fit a lot of things, but you should be moving around freely without the fear of bumping into something or someone.
So, before you buy the perfect furniture for your space, consider the location and available room. It will help you pick the most suitable pieces for your patio.
Usage & Function
Your requirements for patio furniture largely depend on how you intend to use your outdoor area. Think if you want to conduct catered events where visitors will be seated at patio dining sets.
Or, do you only want to relax with your pals on a sizable, comfortable couch, some lounge chairs, and a few coffee tables with some games and snacks?
Perhaps all you want to do is relax in the sun on a hot summer day in a chaise lounge while sipping a refreshing beverage.
It’s best to start your plan with a complete list of stuff you wish to do, regardless of the purpose. Well, consider the furniture that could be required as well as the number of guests you want to host.
If you’re decorating a new place, you have total freedom to experiment and have fun with the new outdoor environment.
However, figuring out the patio furniture requirements usually requires a lot of thought. So, as you begin to consider the various ways you want to use the outdoor space, be practical.
Environmental Factors
Many people seem to miss this vital aspect until it is too late. It would help if you remembered how the patio is during the summer and off-season while buying your furniture.
Think about if the place gets too much sunlight, or too warm or cold. Furthermore, consider how much rainfall you usually receive annually and whether you ever get strong winds.
All these things influence the outdoor furniture suitable for your environment, including tables and chairs. So, don’t forget to note the circumstances that your furniture must be able to withstand and choose your pieces accordingly.
Comfort Level
There are many fantastic options available for outdoor patio furniture. In modern times, many manufacturers make fabric slings and webbings from lightweight synthetic weaving, stretching to fit the body’s curves and offering maximum support and comfort.
Additionally, there are velvety cushions made of different thicknesses of quick-drying cushions or foam that draw moisture from wet clothing. And these let you settle into more comfortable postures.
Moreover, with the advent of ergonomic design, outdoor furniture has changed. Many companies make several sun loungers, couches, and deck chairs, considering how the seating angles, leg rests, and armrests influence spinal alignment.
They also consider the stress of various body points and positions while making the furniture. Well, it’s crucial to examine how comfortable each piece would be if you intended to spend a lot of time sitting down. You must try to pick the most comfortable piece within your budget.
You may look for manufacturer showrooms as online stores might not have a physical location where you can examine the furniture in person. It will allow you to gauge your comfort level.
However, if you want to buy from an online site, look for online reviews written by people who have previously purchased it. They could be capable of offering a unique perspective.
Material
Depending on your application, location, and weather, you might prefer several materials over others for upholstery, tabletops, and frames.
For instance, untreated wood might split under extreme heat, and cold temperatures might make plastics brittle and shatter. Moreover, uncoated metal may rust in the rain, and humidity wreaks havoc on natural wicker.
Lightweight furniture like acrylic or aluminum may fall over in strong winds, and several fabrics will fade in the hot sun.
So, you must thoroughly evaluate numerous materials and their resistance to various environmental factors.
Well, each has advantages and disadvantages. So, consider the trade-offs right away.
Quality Considerations
After deciding on the items you need, the appropriate materials, and the comfort level, you must determine the amount you can spend.
Although expensive, top-notch patio furniture typically delivers on its promise of quality. Remember, patio furniture might cost more than comparable indoor pieces since it must survive the environment and sustain more rigorous use.
Usually, the materials outperform less expensive substitutes in terms of strength, fading resistance, and water repellency. Furthermore, the furniture’s components and materials’ guarantees are frequently more extensive and prolonged.
However, there is merit in getting immediate satisfaction at a low cost. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a cheap set of lounge tables and chairs when you want additional fun furniture.
Just be aware that they will likely fade or degrade after one or two summers. Although you might initially save money, replacement expenses pile up, and you could spend more overall.
So, always try to buy furniture of the best possible quality within your budget if you want it for long-term use.
Ease & Flexibility
If you have a small patio space, you may not have many options for what you can buy and how you can arrange the furniture. If that’s the scenario, you must look for furniture with storage space and several uses.
For confined places, like balconies, storage beneath the seats is great. There are also coffee tables that are portable and can be elevated to function as a workstation.
Use products that can be compressed, folded, or stacked so you can swap out parts without taking up valuable storage space.
Additionally, one can modify their sitting to their environment and shifting needs with the aid of adaptable sectional sofas.
When the weather changes or you need a little extra space, wheeled carts and tables are ideal for dining.
Preferred Style
When selecting patio furniture, there are many crucial practical considerations to take into account. However, it’s important to keep in mind that savoring time spent outside depends on finding joy in the surroundings.
It’s fun to relax by the poolside or cook on the terrace, and the furnishings you choose should match your taste. You can think about purchasing a sophisticated ironwork dining set with a striking ceramic tile surface for your hacienda-style home.
Or, perhaps a sculptural collection of chaise loungers and a chic metal cocktail table are what your minimalistic patio needs.
Well, you may choose outdoor furniture which appeals to you, regardless of the architecture of your house.
Change the design but, if possible, maintain consistency in the color scheme to make the transition from indoors to outdoors easier.
Maintenance
One must also consider how much time and energy one can put into maintaining their furniture before making a purchase. The kind of finishing and material of every piece directly impacts maintenance.
You may need to protect and clean some outdoor furniture more often based on the area’s weather and how frequently you will use them.
Cleaning products can range from scrub brushes and soft clothes with water and soap to specialized cleaners.
Though some frames and tabletops might be scratch-resistant, many would need buffing and fillers to remove gouges and nicks. You can remove some cushion coverings and wash them in your washing machine.
Similarly, some designs feature replaceable component pieces, and manufacturers provide replacements if something breaks or wears out.
Replacing a single component is significantly less expensive than purchasing the entire item new. It is best to opt for low-maintenance furniture so that you can easily clean and maintain them for years.
Different Types Of Most Durable Patio Furniture
A crucial stage in purchasing patio furniture is determining what material type is ideal for your unique requirements. And it would help if you decided on this based on your total budget, environment, and décor style.
Each material has advantages and disadvantages. And depending on your taste, some might be preferable to others. The following are a few different types of most durable patio furniture:
Wooden Patio Furniture
Wooden furniture is one of the most well-liked, incredibly adaptable and diverse options. Furniture made of solid wood is incredibly durable and long-lasting.
Wood comes in a wide range of varieties and hues, including eucalyptus, white oak, pine, cedar, and acacia. Staining the wood is another option to achieve the desired colors and coordinate with decorating themes.
Moreover, you can utilize wooden patio furniture in the rain. It can also tolerate high humidity, the sun, heat, and cold.
However, many wood items of furniture need sealing every 3 to 6 months to prevent them from drying out and cracking. After several months of exposure to the sun, natural wood, like teak, will likewise deteriorate and become gray.
Wrought Iron Patio Furniture
Wrought iron is among the first few materials that come to mind when considering toughness, adaptability, and durability.
If properly maintained, iron furniture may last for centuries. It is heavy, which makes it ideal for windy locations and sturdy patio designs.
However, iron is among the heaviest furnishing materials, limiting the design options for your patio. Because wrought-iron decor is susceptible to corrosion, it will need a lot of upkeep and attention.
Wicker Patio Furniture
Consider all-weather synthetic resin or wicker if you want the rustic charm of wood furniture and the affordability and adaptability of aluminum.
Organic wicker, typically produced from plant materials like bamboo, banana leaves, and seagrass, can be a fantastic, all-natural alternative. Nevertheless, this wicker type is not quite as solid or resistant compared to other, well-designed choices.
Nowadays, manufacturers use synthetic polyethylene resin to create exterior wicker furniture. High-density polyethylene superior grade resin is chemical-free and incredibly dense.
It is a fantastic, reasonably priced solution for patio furniture because it is puncture-resistant and may endure constant UV rays exposure.
All-weather wickers, like aluminum, are incredibly durable, adaptable, light, and simple to maintain despite harsh weather.
Aluminum Patio Furniture
If you want to give your outdoor patio furniture a modern look that is both durable and functional, aluminum seems to be the best option.
Aluminum is incredibly sturdy, light, and exceedingly durable. So, you can easily rearrange, store, and move your furniture whenever you need.
Additionally, none of these perks has to compromise the aesthetics. Since aluminum is so versatile, there are many different furniture designs on the market.
Instead of painting the aluminum, consider powder coating it. By doing so, you can add another layer of protection for your patio furniture from moisture, salt air, and scratches.
However, the only drawback of aluminum furniture is that it absorbs both heat and cold. Therefore, if you want to use it in colder weather, you might need to add more cushions.
3 Mistakes To Avoid While Buying Outdoor Furniture
The plethora of options and choices might be overwhelming for many first-time buyers. So, they often make mistakes that cause a waste of money and time.
So, let’s go over a few mistakes to avoid while buying outdoor furniture:
Ignoring The Surroundings
Every outdoor setting is unique. Each area has qualities that make particular types of materials more suitable there. If you overlook the things that are appropriate for your situation, you could run into a number of issues.
For instance, your hardwood tabletops may shatter during sharp temperature changes. Moreover, your metal frames might rust in the rain or salt air.
So, before making a purchase, investigate the benefits and drawbacks of various materials in your area.
Neglecting The Area Measurement
You must measure the total square footage of your room. Besides, laying out different arrangements that leave adequate space for foot circulation, plants, and tiny accents is also essential.
No matter how fascinating your furniture is, if it doesn’t fit in the area properly, it won’t look good at all.
Favoring Appearance Or Cost over Quality
Patio furniture looks fantastic. However, outdoor furniture has to withstand the elements. As a result, over time, both its appearance and performance may degrade over time.
Cool designs might not hold up over time, particularly if manufacturers use cheap materials or finishes that expose the products to sunshine, dampness, or wear and tear.
A cheap outdoor dining experience may appear appealing at first. On the other hand, it would be too expensive to maintain over time, and you might even need to replace it pretty quickly.
Therefore, if you want a long-lasting product, it is best to increase the original budget to get quality service. Additionally, always put quality over design or aesthetics.
What Size and Style of Outdoor Furniture is Best for Patio Entertainment?
When it comes to patio entertainment, choosing the right patio tables and chairs sizes is crucial. For smaller patios, bistro sets or compact furniture can maximize space. Larger patios can accommodate full dining sets or sectional sofas for a more versatile seating arrangement. Consider the style and functionality that best suits your outdoor space.
Conclusion
After a long, exhausting day, nothing could be more pleasant than lounging on a nicely arranged patio. So, decorating the outdoor space is as crucial as designing the interior of a home. Thanks for reading through.
Hopefully, this patio furniture buying guide has helped you understand how to buy the most suitable pieces for your outdoor space. Best of luck on furnishing your patio furniture and thanks for stopping by.
