What Type of Patio Furniture Should You Buy?
If your home has an exterior entertaining space, like a deck or patio, you’ll need to ensure that you use it to the best of your ability! To do this, make sure that your friends, family, and other guests are comfortable by offering durable and stylish patio furniture. Many various styles and looks are available, so your patio furniture can reflect your home’s feel and your own personality.
Aside from the style of the patio furniture, you’re also able to choose from a selection of different materials and construction, offering the right kind of sturdiness that you need in your climate for the furniture to stand up to the elements.
No matter your personal style, you’re sure to find patio furniture that you need to turn your backyard into a space for hosting barbecues, cookouts, and family get-togethers. With a full set of outdoor furniture for your home, you can ensure you utilize all the entertainment space your abode offers!
What are the Best Materials for Patio Furniture?
As previously mentioned, patio furniture comes in many different material types, offering a wide variety of offerings that fit into your needs. Do you want a heavy, durable furniture set that will last many years to come? Or do you want a lightweight, portable set that can easily be stored away when not in use?
Let’s examine each material type, and how best it can work in your home’s outdoor seating area.
Metal Patio Furniture
If durability is key, you can’t go wrong with patio furniture made of metal. And even within the metal category, there are specific types of metal that offer a variety of advantages and features that might make it right for you.
Aluminum is a metal option that is frequently used in patio furniture, as it can stand up to lots of intense weather. It’s highly durable and rust-resistant, is available at prices that won’t break the budget, and is easy to care for.
If you need more resilient outdoor furniture that is going to be set up for many years to come, steel outdoor furniture might be your best bet. The weight of steel does limit your ability to move and reposition the tables and chairs, and steel does rust easily, too. To keep it looking great, protect steel furniture with a protective coat and/or sealant. Hand wash it frequently, and be sure to patch any cracks or scratches to prevent rust as needed.
Plastic Patio Furniture
Plastic patio furniture is a great option if you’re looking for your first set of outdoor furniture. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and available in a wide variety of colors and textures. Plastic furniture is highly durable and will never show rust or need protective coating.
The lightweight construction and the design of plastic patio furniture means it can easily be moved and stacked, making it a breeze to take it out of high winds or other intense weather.
Wicker Patio Furniture
Wicker patio furniture is made of durable strips of fabric or materials that are tightly woven. The term “wicker” actually describes the weaving style and not the material. Because of that, it’s not uncommon to find wicker furniture made of synthetic materials, instead of natural materials like rattan.
Wicker furniture has a timeless appearance that is easily recognizable. It’s also a lightweight option, it’s flexible, and is very comfortable to sit on. Natural materials can fade over time, especially when it’s exposed to sunlight. Natural fabrics will not resist moisture, either, so it’s good to bring rattan-based furniture inside frequently to avoid its deterioration due to rain and sun.
However, if your wicker furniture is made of synthetic materials, it should stand up better to the elements.
Wooden Patio Furniture
Another natural material, wood is found in a lot of patio furniture options. Wood patio furniture options are durable, and can be stained or sealed to protect the furniture even further.
Keeping wood patio furniture clean with mild soap and water, as well as keeping it covered or out of the sun when not in use, will go a long way in keeping it looking great for years to come.
Which Type of Furniture Should You Buy for Your Patio?
Now that you know the various types of patio furniture materials, you can start to make the important decisions on which pieces of furniture work best for you. First off, you’ll want to know how big your outdoor patio space is. The amount of space you have will determine how big the patio furniture can be. A large outdoor patio space will need proportional furniture, and the same goes for a small space. If a smaller space has too big of furniture, it will look overwhelmed. On the other hand, smaller furniture in a bigger space will look tiny and out of place.
You’ll also want to consider how many people you’ll typically be hosting at your backyard shindigs! If it’s usually just you and your immediate family, you may only need a table and a few chairs. If you plan on hosting bigger events with more people, you’ll have to add in additional chairs or seating options, as well as other surfaces where guests can set their food or drinks.
Be sure to also consider how well your potential new patio furniture will coordinate with existing home décor, both inside and outside your home! To ensure your indoor space and outdoor patio flow naturally, you may want to use similar décor and furniture styles in both. For example, if your interior space features a coastal theme, choosing coastal-style patio furniture and accessories will make all your areas feel cohesive.
You’ll also want to consider adding in patio storage options to hold things like seat cushions or decorative accents when they are not in use. Even better, look for patio furniture that doubles as storage space! These options include patio benches with hidden storage space underneath the seating surface. Other furniture selections that offer areas for keeping things stored and out of sight include waste bins, BBQ storage carts, stacking bins, storage sheds, garden hose reels and stands, grill covers, and so much more.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one patio furniture option, consider a patio furniture set. Sets typically offer chairs and a table, but might also include other must-haves, like an umbrella, accent tables, or more. There are a variety of patio furniture sets to choose from, too, based on the look and style you’re interested in, as well as how much space you have to work with. For an entry-level set, look for something like a patio bistro set. These sets typically include a bistro-height table and matching chairs. They are ideal for use in smaller spaces, including apartment balconies. Patio dining sets offer a table and chairs for family and friends to gather around to enjoy outdoor meals with ease. And if you want a set for relaxing and hanging out, look for conversational patio furniture sets. These sets include more living room-style furniture, like outdoor coffee tables, couches, and side tables.
You can also consider how you want to accessorize your outdoor entertainment space. Look for seat cushions that coordinate with the rest of your outdoor décor, as well as outdoor dining essentials like plates, glasses, and serving platters and pitchers. You can also tie the whole look together with exterior area rugs. Once the sun goes down, make the outdoor space feel even cozier with a fire pit, where everyone can gather around and keep toasty!
How to Set Up Your Patio Furniture
There are many different ways to set up your patio furniture, but certain ideas and setups are sure to get the most out of your exterior patio space.
If you’re opting for more of a living room setup, go for the classic configuration of adding in an outdoor sofa and two matching patio chairs. Place the sofa across from the two chairs, adding in a coffee table in the middle, to create a welcoming place for conversation.
If you have a tight space and are looking to create a nice seating area that flows naturally, try placing two outdoor sofas in an “L” shape in a corner. This allows people to sit and chat, keeping the space in front of the sofa open for easy movement.
If you have a really small space, forgo the use of a sofa. Instead, use just two chairs accessorized with matching cushions. Incorporate a small side table or coffee table to allow for the ability to dine or socialize, as the surface provided by the table can accommodate plates and drinks.
For homes with bigger outdoor patio space, consider setting up multiple seating areas. For example, create a dining area with a table and chairs, while at the same time making a socializing area with an outdoor sofa and a couple chairs. If you still have more space, build a quiet nook for reading by creating a corner spot with a comfy chair and side table.
Other Outdoor Furniture for Your Home (and More)
Once your patio is furnished as you need, turn your attention to the other outdoor areas where you may need furniture. This includes finding folding camp chairs that can be used around the house, as well as out and about as you go camping, tailgating, or to other outdoor activities. Camping chairs now come with built-in coolers, reclining designs, carry straps, storage covers, cup holders, and other features that make them versatile.
Hammocks are other exciting furniture pieces you can add to your home’s exterior, giving you and your family a place to kick back and relax, either in the shade or sun! You can find hammocks that connect to specific bases, as well as hammocks that can be tied to trees for a place to chill in the great outdoors.
Beach chairs are also available, which are best used when looking for a place to soak up the sun next to the ocean, sea, or other body of water. These chairs are designed to sit a bit lower and closer to the ground, so you can dig your toes into the sand and enjoy your time at the beach!
Furnishing an outdoor living space can add a fun and exciting area to your home, where hosting parties, cookouts, barbeques, and more will make your patio the hit on the block!
Aside from adding patio furniture to your entertaining space, be sure to incorporate things like outdoor area rugs, seat cushions, protective covers, and more. You’ll also want to find outdoor games for guests to play, serveware to dish up meals with, drinkware to toast to your friends and family, and lots of other outdoor entertaining essentials!
Decorate the space with outdoor planters, decorative exterior lights, outdoor curtains, water features and fountains, throw pillows, and umbrellas.
With an outdoor space complete with these must-haves, your friends and family will love to gather together and enjoy the pleasant conversation and company on your patio!