Tips for Choosing Patio Furniture

Warmer days are just around the corner, and if you want to feel the fresh breeze and sunbeams on your skin while chilling with your family at your home, maybe it is time to get your patio ready for the season. Here are some tips for choosing patio furniture for those who have just moved to a new house or those who like to rearrange their home exterior. After reading these, you will not consider patio arrangement a home improvement you should never do by yourself.

Measure your patio before you go furniture-hunting

Arranging your patio is definitely one of the home improvements to make before you move in. So, the best time to hit the stores is now! When you find yourself in a store selling garden and patio furniture you might not be able to decide what would fit the space you have at home. That is why it is always good to have the exact measurements of your patio. If you are not really sure what you are looking for, it will be easier for the sellers to recommend some pieces when they know the dimensions and the shape of your patio.

Know what you are planning to use your patio for

You need furniture that will suit your needs and your lifestyle. Why would you buy a large dining set if you are not fond of entertaining? On the other hand, if you plan to invite guests and enjoy meals with them on your patio, you definitely need such a set. The bottom line is - choose what you really plan to use!

Choose something like this only if you like to entertain

Go for comfort

A patio should be all about comfort. After implementing the landscaping ideas for your garden, it is time to think about the place from which you will enjoy looking at that garden. Before you buy any piece of patio furniture, you should try it. Take a seat and see whether it is comfortable enough and whether you can envision yourself relaxing in it. Even though that is pretty much the same as you would do when buying a sofa or a couch for your living room, when it comes to garden and patio furniture, many people would make a purchase without assessing the comfort factor.

Choose good quality patio furniture

If you do not want to waste your money buying a new patio set every two years, you should think about investing in top-quality pieces. Our advice is to go for the best that you can afford, and you will not regret it. Even if you decide to move any time soon, it is better to relocate just a couple of furniture pieces (the really good ones) than to buy some new low-quality items all over again.

The materials your patio furniture is made from will determine its quality and the way it is supposed to be maintained. Now, let's see what your options are.

Furniture made of wrought iron

Pieces made of wrought iron might be a good choice for windy areas since they can be rather heavy. They are easy to maintain in terms of cleaning, but they do tend to rust if exposed to excessive moisture. Furniture made of wrought iron can be rather stylish and consequently, it is not cheap at all.

Patio furniture made of iron can be rather decorative

Aluminum pieces

If durability is what you are looking for, then you might opt for patio furniture made of aluminum. It can look great, and it is the best choice for those who cannot be bothered with high maintenance. The material does not rust, so it is great for wet and salty areas. There are two options to choose from: aluminum framed furniture and solid cast aluminum patio furniture. 

The first one is much lighter, so you'll be doing the guys from homegrownmoving.com a favor when the time comes for you to relocate. It is also less expensive but can be rather light which is not a good thing if you live in a windy area. The second one seems to tick all the boxes, but it can be very expensive.

Wooden patio furniture

Let's start with pros of choosing wooden patio furniture. It does not hold the heat from the sun so it is rather comfortable to use on a sunny day. Wood is durable and can hold more weight than plastic or some aluminum pieces. But, this furniture can be heavy and it is not really the best choice for patios that are exposed to direct sunlight. Wood also requires various treatments in order to be resistant to water and discolorations.

Items made of wicker

Wicker furniture is usually very comfortable and resistant to fading from sun exposure. These pieces are usually not so expensive but they do have some shortcomings. For instance, they cannot stand the moisture, and they become sticky when exposed to it. They can even start rotting and falling apart if left in humidity for too long.

Plastic patio furniture

What's great about plastic patio furniture is that it comes in many colors, it is light, and usually quite affordable. But it tends to fade in the Sun and if you go for very cheap options, the chances are that it might break easily. So, it is not really the safest choice.

The furniture you choose should be easy to store

If you live in the area where winters are harsh, you will have to store your patio furniture until springtime. Foldable chairs are the best choice for those who do not have much storage space. Consider yours before you make the purchase.

You need a place to store your patio furniture during winter

The colors matter, too

Patio furniture is not only meant to be practical. Nowadays, you can find so many decorative pieces. The colors that you choose should be inviting, but think about maintenance too. Surely, all-white furniture looks great in the magazines, but it gets dirty and stained quicker than beige or grey colored materials.

We hope that you will find our tips for choosing patio furniture interesting. Now, all you have to do is make your final choice and hit the stores.