A patio is one of the most important features of any home. Not only is it a place where you can spend time outdoors, but it's a good place to host friends and family when you have them over. However, to make your patio inviting, you need the right furniture. Having the right furniture can make or break your patio. All of the factors that come into play can make choosing the right furniture a challenge. A lot of it is subjective. However, there are also functional aspects to consider. You want to look at things from every angle when choosing. Here are some of the best tips to use when it comes to buying the right garden furniture for your patio.
1. Functionality
The main thing you need to factor into your buying decision is the functionality of the furniture. You need to think about what you will be using the furniture for. What's the intended use case for it? Do you want an outdoor space that can comfortably seat your friends for a get-together? If so, you'll want softas and other furniture that create a cozy and inviting environment. Do you want something that is optimized for hosting backyard parties? You may want to go for furniture that seats more people and get a large dining table so everyone has a place to sit and eat.
2. Materials
You always need to factor in the materials when you are buying patio furniture. There are a lot of different options you can choose from when it comes to the materials of furniture you buy. You can choose from plastic to rattan to wood. This comes down to preference more than anything. However, you do also want to consider how well that material will hold up.
After all, if you are buying furniture that will remain outside, it'll need to be capable of holding up in the elements. If you're buying wood, you need it to be water-resistant. You also need it to be UV-resistant. Otherwise, it could quickly deteriorate when exposed to the sun for long periods at a time. Rattan is easily one of the main materials to look for when searching for durable outdoor furniture because it's practical and stylish. Not only is it naturally resistant to water, but it's also durable and doesn't easily crack. The downside is that it's more expensive than some of the other materials out there. However, the price is worth it in the long run.
Plastic is typically the most affordable material. However, it's also cheap and you get what you pay for. It's not nearly as comfortable nor stylish. It's also likely to warp when exposed to extreme temperatures. While it's a good option for those on a shoestring budget, it comes with its fair share of negatives.
3. Shape and Size
When you are looking to choose the right furniture for your patio, you want to look at both the shape and size of the different options available. This is very important because you likely have a limited amount of space to situate the furniture. Also, you need the right size to take advantage of your existing available outdoor space. You want the furniture to fit seamlessly. For instance, if you live in a condo, you may want to opt for a smaller round table as it's not going to take up too much space. Whereas, if you have a large house with a lot of open space, you may want larger tables and pieces of furniture to have more functional space. Keep in mind that the larger the furniture, the more money you can expect to pay.
4. Durability
Durability is key whenever you are buying any kind of furniture. You want to factor in how durable the furniture is because it can dictate how long it lasts. You likely don't want furniture that is going to need to be replaced the following year. You want something that can withstand the harsh outdoor elements and something that is going to last a long time. This can also help you when you are stuck between a few choices. Some furniture may be better options than others based on durability alone. For instance, wicker furniture can be a good option for the summer months because it doesn't rain, snow, or freeze as much. However, it can break down when exposed to a lot of UV rays. Likewise, plastic furniture can warp when exposed to excessive heat. These are things you need to consider when buying furniture so you can avoid a lot of the issues you may otherwise face.
5. Style and Color
You need to consider both the style and color of the furniture. After all, if you have a current style or aesthetic that you aren't looking to change, you'll likely want patio furniture to match. You want to factor in the color of your existing furniture in your home and even the color of your garden too. You want your patio to be an extension of your home. Thus, you need to factor in your home's aesthetic when choosing the style and color.
6. Maintenance
This is something a lot of people fail to look at before buying their patio furniture and they pay the price because of it. You want to spend your time hosting parties outside or reading your book in your garden. You don't want to spend time maintaining your patio furniture. This is why you need to factor in how much maintenance the furniture will require based on your climate and the materials chosen. This is what makes rattan furniture so appealing. It requires very little maintenance whatsoever. All that's required is spraying some water repellent now and then and you're good to go.
Another good option for those that want furniture without a lot of maintenance is metal furniture. This furniture is generally low maintenance and only requires a little bit of dusting. Wood is a material that usually requires a little more maintenance, but nothing too bad. You could find yourself having to repaint it every couple of years or so. Plastic furniture is generally low maintenance too requiring only infrequent wipedowns.
7. Price and Budget
You need to factor in your budget when choosing. There will be options available for any budget. You will want to try to find something that fits well within your respective budget. You don't want to go completely cheap because it's going to lead you to furniture that will break down quickly. Unless you want to have to replace your furniture after a year or less, it's best to spend extra money upfront to get something durable and long-lasting that you can chill out and relax on.
Some retailers will sell various furniture pieces at a lesser price if you purchase them in combination with other pieces. You also can save a lot of money by shopping during big sales events.
8. Weather Resistance
As mentioned, some furniture is much more weather resistant than others. For instance, rattan as a material is much more resistant to various elements than other materials. It's not a material that's going to rot nor is it going to get damaged by sunray exposure in the garden. That being said, it can be damaged when exposed to stronger winds.
9. Accessories
You are likely going to want to consider the accessories that come with the furniture too. Or accessories that are available for it. For instance, if you buy an outdoor sofa, you'll want matching pillows. These accessories can transform the look of your entire patio so don't forget about them!
Conclusion:
Your home's patio can be a very important feature to tie your entire home together. It's a place where you can spend time outdoors and a good place to host friends and family. Use these tips to invest in the right outdoor furniture to transform your patio space into a place that you love.