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Buying Patio Furniture: A Complete Guide
There's a lot to think about when buying furniture for outdoor spaces.Seating, tables, dining sets, fire pits, and decor need consideration, and knowing what to buy can sometimes get tricky.
This patio furniture buying guide will take you through essential elements of style, materials, and function to make it easier. We'll also provide layouts, costs, and maintenance tips to help you create the perfect backyard setup.
Determine Your Needs and Limitations
It's easy to get excited about curating your space. This may lead you to want to jump and buy the first set you love — however, we recommend planning before buying anything.
Measure Your Space
Just as you'd take a room's measurements, it's important to do the same with decks, backyards, and patios. Knowing the exact dimensions will help determine what furniture best suits your space.
As a patio furniture size guide, for larger spaces (280+ square feet), consider bigger pieces like outdoor sofas, sectionals, fire pit seating, and dining table sets. For more compact spaces, outdoor chairs, loveseats, ottomans, and poufs work best.
Consider Your Usage
What will you use your patio for? Do you primarily want to hang around with friends, or do you plan to have full-blown parties?
For example, you'll need a set of dining chairs to host inspired outdoor dinners, while an outdoor daybed creates a vibe more suitable for lounging.
Choose the Right Materials
What is the best material for patio furniture? Outdoor furniture materials need to be sturdy and durable to resist the elements. They must also be easy to clean and maintain to help extend their life. You'll likely find patio furniture in several materials:
Pay Attention to Design and Comfort
It's also essential to select pieces that help curate the feeling you want to inspire in your outdoor space. When it comes to buying patio furniture, there are three things to remember.
Design Aesthetics
Since the outdoors provides plenty of light and contrast, modern patio designs favor minimalist frameworks matched with complementary fabrics.
For example, dark teak or rattan seating sets go well with light gray cushions, creating a sophisticated vibe for a conversation or lounge area. On the other hand, lighter frames with vibrant color fabrics, such as bright yellow, create a more welcoming vibe.
Choose colors and styles that mirror your interior design themes for a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors.
Comfort
When selecting patio furniture, comfort is paramount. If your patio setup looks terrific but isn't comfortable, guests won't want to spend much time there.
Chairs, sofas, and loveseats should have ergonomic designs that support good posture. You also want to ensure they come with a good seat and back cushioning so you can chill outside for hours.
Functionality
Finally, you want to ensure you buy functional patio furniture. For example, have room for guests to set things down, set up an outdoor umbrella to provide shade, and ensure pieces like side tables and benches have compartments for storage solutions.
Balance Between Cost and Value
There's no hard and fast rule on how much you should spend on outdoor furniture. Since budgets will vary greatly depending on space and personal preferences, a general rule of thumb is to allocate between 10-20% of your overall furniture budget for the outside.
This figure can vary based on your needs and the amount of outdoor space you have.
However, while setting an initial budget is important to ensure you don't overspend, determining an outdoor furniture budget requires balancing cost and value.
While cheaper options are always tempting, it can actually be more cost-effective in the long run to invest in quality pieces. Higher-quality furniture lasts longer, withstands the elements better, and can offer greater comfort and style. Consider the longevity and durability of each piece as part of its value.
Make Maintenance a Regular Thing
A consistent maintenance regimen is vital to extend the life of outdoor furniture. Follow these steps to keep your pieces in good shape for longer:
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Clean regularly
Wipe surfaces with a soft cloth at least once a week.
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Check for rust
Inspect metal parts and hinges for rust and corrosion.
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Protect wood
Apply a sealant to wood once a year to protect it from moisture and UV damage.
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Store cushions
Store cushions indoors when you're not using them.
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Cover furniture
Use furniture covers for extra protection from the elements.
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Tighten hardware
Regularly check and tighten any loose screws or bolts.
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Rotate around
Rotate chairs and tables to ensure they get even exposure and wear.
Learn more about how to clean outdoor furniture.Know Where and When to Buy Patio Furniture
Finally, it helps to have multiple buying options and an idea of the best times to furnish your outdoor space.
Retail Options
Many furniture stores across the country offer affordable, high-quality patio furniture. While there are dozens of others to choose from, websites like Furniture.com are excellent for aggregating options from hundreds of stores to offer the widest possible selection of furniture.
Sales
If you want high-quality, affordable furniture, be on the lookout for sales. Seasonal sales are particularly popular and a great time to hunt for high-quality pieces at a fraction of the regular price. As patio season draws to a close, holiday weekends toward the end of summer, like Memorial Day and Labor Day, typically feature the most significant discounts on outdoor furniture.
Convert Your Patio Into a Stylish Summer Hangout
Whether you're hosting summer soirees or prefer to enjoy the outdoors in solitude, a tastefully furnished and decorated patio is a must-have. And with a few considerations, you can make your outdoor spaces feel like true extensions of the home.
Understanding elements of size, style, color, and material comes first. Combine those with practical layouts, budget, and maintenance tips, and you can create an outdoor oasis to take your summer hangouts to the next level.