Patio Furniture and Décor Guide

Spring into fall, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy time outdoors. From hosting large events like graduation parties and family reunions, to intimate gatherings with family and neighbors or a private retreat you can enjoy yourself; the outdoor entertainment season is what you make of it. In order to get the most out of the warm months, you’ll want to design outdoor spaces that reflect your personalized style and support your ideal outdoor activities. From front porch or lanai to patio and poolside spaces, the best outdoor furniture will make these areas functional for you, your family and friends. By choosing the ideal patio set, outdoor seating and additional items like shade solutions and outdoor accessories, or designing a custom set that’s personalized for your needs and preferences, you can create an outdoor oasis that you won’t want to leave.

There are a wide range of factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting and purchasing your patio furniture and accessories. You want quality outdoor furniture, and the most comfortable patio furniture that will fit your space and suit your exceptional style. This buying guide will help you identify they types of furniture that will work best in your space, detail the design options that are available, and help you choose from many style and material options as well. Read on, and you’re one step closer to achieving the outdoor living space of your dreams.

Patio Furniture Considerations

As we stated, there’s lots to consider when purchasing patio furniture, such as a patio set that will perfectly fit your space and accommodate your guests. Along with size and scale, there are many design styles available. Ask yourself: do you like traditional style furniture, or are you looking for something modern and colorful? Is there a patio furniture brand that you love?

There are several important factors that you should consider when determining the best patio furniture for your outdoor space:

1. Size of your outdoor space – First, it’s important to measure your porch, patio or poolside space to ensure that the patio set of your dreams will fit in the available footprint, while still providing your guests with room to maneuver around as needed. Also, consider the shape of your space. If it’s long and narrow, a rectangular patio set may be best. If you space is square, you can choose a square or round set. If your patio or poolside is uniquely shaped, such as an L-shape patio, you may want to consider a custom set that perfectly suits your unique size and style requests.
2. Size of your party – Second, consider how big of a patio set and other outdoor furniture you need, within the constraints of your space. Are you going to be dining solo or with a significant other? If so, an outdoor bistro set may be all you need. The additional space can be utilized for outdoor lounging with a comfortable outdoor sofa or other deep seating. On the other hand, if you do a lot of outdoor entertaining, you may decide to purchase the largest patio set that you can fit comfortably in your space, such as a 7-piece patio set.
3. Entertaining plans – It’s also important to consider how you plan to use your patio space. Do you foresee many outdoor meals with family and friends, or would you rather create a place to lounge and relax with a beverage and favorite book? Maybe both? If you are limited by space, keep that in mind when you are considering how to best use your patio. If you have to choose between dining and lounging, which is more important to you?

After you’ve put some thought into your outdoor living space, measured the dimensions and determined how it will typically be used, you’re ready to move on. Here are some ways to outfit your porch, patio or poolside, and make it the outdoor retreat you’ve dreamed of having, relaxing and entertaining in.

Make the Most of Your Patio Space

Beautiful days may be in short supply, especially if you live in the Midwest, so it’s important to make the most of the season and truly enjoy the time that you have available! After all, you deserve to relax outside after a long day at work, or even during a long holiday weekend at home! In order to get the most enjoyment out of your space—regardless of the size you have available—it’s important to choose furniture and design a layout for better function and efficient use of your space.

Here are some guidelines for creating a personalized space that suits your expectations and will have your neighbors asking if you mind hosting “this time”, over and over again.

• Define your areas. There’s no reason why you can’t have it all! If your deck is spacious enough for a dining set and a separate conversation—or lounging—area, you’ll want to design an outdoor space with distinct areas to support these activities. Dining and lounging areas can be right next to each other, perhaps even sharing some of your outdoor furniture. However, they should each have a distinct area to keep the patio from looking messy and cluttered. One tip for visually separating your outdoor dining and lounging area is to use outdoor rugs to group and distance the distinct areas. Outdoor rugs also add a warm and comfortable style element that can support your design concept—from traditional to casual.
• Don’t block the flow. You want your outdoor space to be functional and easy for you and your guests to enjoy. You should be able to walk easily from the house to the patio, between and around the defined areas mentioned above. Of course, you’ll also want enough room around your patio set for guests to sit comfortably and maneuver around, as needed.
• Enjoy the view. One of the great advantages of eating and otherwise enjoying time in the great outdoors is the view—whether you live by a lake, a woodsy area or just want to view your flower garden while you dine outside. Make sure you get furniture that works with the height of your space. For instance, choose balcony height patio sets and chairs so the railing of your deck doesn’t block your view while you sit and dine.

Choose Your Patio Furniture

Once you’ve determined the size and intentions of your patio or other outdoor space, it’s time to order the furniture, starting with the most prevalent items first. You can choose a standard 3-piece patio set or 5-piece patio set for your small patio. If you have enough room and plan on large family meals or entertaining guests, a 7-piece patio dining set may be ideal for you; or you can choose a large outdoor table. For instance, an 86-inch outdoor dining table that is ideal for any type of outdoor hosting—from family game nights to hosting a larger number of guests. Many vendors now offer outdoor extension dining tables similar to indoor versions. Some tables even have the hidden butterfly leaves that allow easy table size up or down as events require.

If you aren’t finding exactly what you need in a standard set, you may choose from a wide range of custom options. By investing in personalized outdoor furniture, you are sure to enjoy outdoor entertainment for seasons to come.

When it comes to deep seating, comfort and style are of the utmost importance. If your space is limited, a couple of wicker lounge chairs can be placed on either side of a wicker end table, creating a relaxing space that’s perfect for outdoor conversation. If space allows, you can choose a matching set with an outdoor sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman. A matching set of patio furniture will create a sophisticated and cohesive design, and each of these pieces will add comfort and function to your patio space.

There are a wide range of styles available to both fit today’s trendiest designs and suit your specific preferences. For instance, a set inspired by mid-century modern design can create a clean and modern look that is suited for both formal or informal entertaining. To create an urban look that’s perfect for the outdoorsy-city lover, you can choose a set with bold lines and well-placed transitions that’s both comfortable and distinctive. There are still many traditional options in the outdoor industry; tradition wicker styles for a Victorian home’s front porch to cast aluminum pieces that would help create a Tuscany villa garden style/design.

A trend in outdoor living has been motion furniture. Choose from options in porch swings, glider loveseats, swivel rocking chairs, rocking chat chairs and rockers in a variety of formats to create relaxing outdoor spaces.

Patio Furniture Materials

Along with the style of patio furniture, the different materials can give your patio set and other outdoor furniture distinct looks, as well as different performance benefits. There are three basic material categories of patio furniture:

• Wood - Wood furniture can be a beautiful outdoor furniture option, creating a natural appeal that’s perfect for an outdoor haven! There are many types of wood and treatments that can be used to create durable patio furniture. For instance, pine and cedar are soft woods that are light in color and turn silvery gray as they age. Alternatively, you can seal or paint them to maintain the natural color or one of your choosing. Teak and jarrah are the priciest, but also the most durable, lasting for 50 years or more. While they can also fade to a silvery gray, you can maintain the golden or reddish colors with treatments specific to each. While natural wood furniture doesn’t hold up well outdoors, it may last longer under a covered patio.
• Metal – One of the most popular and versatile materials for outdoor patio furniture is metal. Wrought iron and aluminum are the two main types of metal outdoor furniture. Extruded aluminum is lightweight and inexpensive, making it a great choice for patio sets and other pieces. Cast aluminum is slightly heavier and pricier as well. It can be an investment that is durable and holds up well over the years. Both of these metal options are powder coated, and hold up well against the elements.
• Wicker and rattan – A popular style due to its casual and rustic aesthetic, you can find a wide range of wicker and rattan furniture from end tables to deep seating. Some popular wicker furniture pieces include outdoor chairs, loveseats and sofas in a range of styles from traditional to casual.

Patio Accessories

Once you’ve selected your patio furniture, including the material, size and style that you need, it’s time to accessorize! These extra items can enhance the functionality of your space, and provide an opportunity to further personalize your design.

• Fire tables – a fire table provides more than just a gentle warmth. It can provide a glowing ambiance that invites your guests to sit around and converse well into the evening. These tables are easier to use, safer and offer easier clean up than standard wood fire pits.
• Occasional tables – select an occasional table or set of tables that will fit your layout and offer the extra spaces you need for setting down drinks, books and other items that you’d like to keep close by. Options include side tables, end tables and cocktail tables. You can choose occasional tables that match your other patio furniture to create a cohesive design, or select complementary pieces that lend more personalization and visual interest.
• Outdoor rugs – outdoor rugs are available in any number of fibers and fabrics. Not only can they add comfort to your outdoor space, but they give you a chance to add color and texture of your choosing.
• Lights -you can add a festive touch when you choose paper lanterns or hang strings along the ceiling. Solar lights placed around the perimeter of your patio will soak up the sun, then provide lovely ambience in the evenings.
• Patio umbrellas and base -don’t let glare and sunburns ruin your day. Plan for a safe and enjoyable experience by choosing a market or cantilever umbrella, and a suitable base. There are a range of styles available, so these pieces won’t interfere with your design aesthetic.
• Patio furniture covers -while they may not be the most exciting accessories, patio furniture covers are important to protect your outdoor investment. You can choose from popular standard sizes or custom order a cover to fit your patio furniture. Choose from durable materials, such as RinoWeave®, a durable, breathable and water resistant 100% coated polyester cloth fabric that holds up better than vinyl covers against that crack or peel.

By choosing a standard or custom patio set or unique pieces that will suit your outdoor living space, you can achieve a look that’s both stylish and comfortable. With functional and fashionable outdoor accessories, you’ll be able to achieve easy relaxation and enjoyment—all while enjoying your personalized style.