Patio Furniture Guide: How to Choose the Best Furniture for Your Home
Your outdoor patio is an extension of your home, so why not create a beautiful exterior that complements the interior! Before you begin purchasing patio furniture for your outdoor space, there are a few factors that you should take into consideration that will help you choose your furniture material, primary pieces, and accessories.
Patio Furniture Considerations
How much space do you have?
The size of your patio will dictate how many outdoor furniture pieces you will be able to fit comfortably in the space. To allow your guests to move around easily, it’s important not to overcrowd the space with an abundance of furniture items. On the other hand, you want to be sure that you are appropriately filling the space so your patio doesn’t look empty.
How will you be using the space?
Will you be using your patio to entertain? Maybe a conversation set is right for you. Are you looking for a place to enjoy dinner with your family? Perhaps you should choose a dining set instead. However you intend to use it, your patio should fit your lifestyle! If you plan on hosting several gatherings on your patio, consider having plenty of seating options available.
What is your budget?
Creating the perfect outdoor patio can be costly. Materials such as aluminum and resin are often a more cost-effective choice. Whatever budget you have in mind, you’ll find we have a variety of brands and styles in all price ranges at our showrooms at the Rohrerstown and Mechanicsburg locations.
Depending on the climate where you live, your outdoor patio furniture will be exposed to various levels of moisture, humidity, and sunlight that will cause wear on your furniture. This can lead to a higher expense as you will need to repair or replace your furniture more often. If you’re worried about rust, corrosion, color fading, paint chipping, and cracking, you may want to opt for one of our more robust materials.
After taking your location into consideration, you can begin to narrow down what type of patio furniture material would best suit your needs!
Choosing Your Patio Furniture Material
Every material has its advantages! When choosing your patio furniture material, keep your outdoor environment and use in mind.
Marine Grade Polymer
This material is highly durable and can withstand the harshness of salty air. If you live near the coast, this high-density polyethylene may be a great choice. Marine grade polymer will remain resistant to the natural effects of coastal environments such as moisture, stains, and mildew.
Maintenance Tip: To take care of your marine grade polymer furniture, simply wash with mildly soapy water and rinse!
Polymer
Unlike other materials, polymer often comes in a variety of colors, giving you endless options for your patio. Polymer is extremely lightweight and tends to be less expensive while mimicking the look of more expensive materials like wood. Its lightweight properties make the furniture easy to move so you can frequently change up seating arrangements.
Maintenance Tip: Polymer typically does not require any painting or sealing because it tends not to chip. To wash polymer, use a mild soap and rinse with water!
Resin Wicker
Made to look like natural wicker, resin wicker is designed to withstand the outdoor elements. Typically, this furniture requires cushions for comfort, so in extreme weather conditions, it is best to cover the pieces or store the cushions indoors.
Maintenance Tip: To wash your resin wicker furniture, rinse with soapy water! Your furniture cushions should be made of all-weather fabric to prevent fading, but still may require some cleaning. These can also be washed with soapy water.
Cast Aluminum
This type of aluminum is designed to be stable and durable, making the furniture on the heavier side. The heaviness allows for more support while sitting and ensures pieces won’t blow away with strong winds.
Maintenance Tip: To maintain your cast aluminum furniture, simply wash with soapy water and rinse. Do not use any abrasive materials or harsh cleansers that will damage the finish.
Extruded Aluminum
Similar to cast aluminum, extruded aluminum provides durability but is hollow, making it a very lightweight material. Due to its vulnerability to damage from freezing, extruded aluminum sets are often stackable to encourage easy storage during the winter months.
Maintenance Tip: This material doesn’t rust, so it won’t require very much maintenance. To wash it, use soapy water and rinse. You can use car wax or mineral oil to protect its surface!
Wood
With proper maintenance, wood furniture is long-lasting and durable. Unlike metal, wood does not hold the sun’s heat, so it won’t be too hot to sit on after being exposed to the sun all day.
Maintenance Tip: Wood typically requires more maintenance than other patio furniture materials. You can use a preservative to protect against the natural wearing from the environment and insects. A brightener can also be used to maintain the original appearance of the wood if it is not painted.
After you’ve chosen the best material for your outdoor furniture, you can select your primary furniture pieces. The pieces that you select should reflect the way you intend to use your patio! Then, you can pick accessories to add comfort to your space!
To learn more about protecting each of these materials in the winter, read our blog on how to winterize patio furniture.
Primary Furniture Pieces and Accessories
Envision what you want your patio to look like and what its functionality will be. Choose your primary furniture pieces such as a table and seating that will be the main focus of your patio. Then select accessories to spruce up your space!
Dining Tables
If the primary purpose for your patio is to gather your family for meals, consider adding a dining table to your patio! You can take meals outside while still spending quality family time together.
Seats
Instead of choosing a set of furniture, try mixing and matching your seating to create a variety of options! You can choose between the following for multiple functionalities:
- Stools
- Slings
- Couches
- Benches
- Gliders/swings
- Lounge chairs
Accent Tables
Consider adding unconventional tables to your patio to complete your space! These tables can help you fill any gaps on your patio while also adding an additional point for your guests to gather around! You can choose between a variety of accent tables such as:
- Coffee tables
- Bar tables
- Fire pit tables
- Bistro tables
- Chat tables
- Console tables
- End tables
These tables will allow your space to become multi-purposeful in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Covers
Your patio furniture covers should be durable and water resistant to avoid damage. If you have a sectional, you can enjoy the benefit of purchasing a single cover. This cuts down on both money spent on additional covers and time spent covering individual chairs.
Cushions and pillows
Add comfort to your patio furniture with cushions and pillows! For some types of materials, such as wicker, cushions may be necessary. Not only will these accessories provide extra comfort, but they can also add a splash of color to your patio. Choose patterns or colors that stand out from your furniture and the exterior of your home for a bold, aesthetically-pleasing appearance.
Hammocks
Provide alternative seating on your patio! A hammock is a great addition to your outdoor patio furniture for relaxation. Don’t have any trees on or near your patio? Browse our easy-to-assemble hammock stands that don’t require a tree or post.
Outdoor fire pits or tables
Adding a fire pit to your patio can add warmth and create a cozy atmosphere! Choose from a variety of fire pits that can double as a table during the day. We sell propane and wood fire pits to fit all of your outdoor entertaining needs! Our propane pits are also adaptable to a natural gas supply using a conversion kit available in store.
Umbrellas
Cantilever umbrellas can provide maximum shade coverage due to their easily-adjustable canopies! This is a great way to provide relief from the hot summer sun while still enjoying the outdoors.
Heaters
Whether you’re looking to heat a small or large space, our propane patio heater is the perfect pick!
Grills
Plan the perfect cookout with friends and family on your patio by adding a grill. We have several varieties of Big Green Egg (BGE) grills, which include medium, large, and extra large sizes. The different sizing variations allow you to choose a grill that accommodates any amount of food that you plan to cook at one time. The Big Green Egg is a charcoal grill with a unique design and high functionality.
Lighting
If you plan to enjoy your patio after the sun sets, consider adding stylish lighting to your outdoor space! Choose from a variety of types such as:
- Wall mounted
- Hanging
- Post
- Pathway
- String
- Lantern
- Spot
- Poolside
Be sure to choose enough lights to illuminate your entire patio! A dimly-lit space may cause potential injuries, especially if there are steps on your patio.
Rugs
Adding a rug to your outdoor space will tie your patio together and make it feel as comforting as the inside of your house! Outdoor rugs are made to withstand seasonal weather conditions, but they will need to be cleaned with dish soap and water. Choose from a variety of colors and shapes that will add an exciting element to your patio.
Leave It Up To Us!
Choosing all of the elements that go into your outdoor patio can be overwhelming! Luckily, we have very knowledgeable outdoor designers who will make your dreams a reality! We listen to what you want, then design and create an outdoor living space perfect for relaxation and entertaining. Once finished, you can enjoy your own private paradise.
In addition, we offer a white glove delivery service! This includes unpacking, removal/disposal of packing materials, and placing your furniture where you will enjoy it.
Contact us today to get started designing your dream patio!