7 Top Outdoor Furniture Tips

While those lazy days where you can curl up in a comfortable lounge chair in the sun might seem far away, they probably aren’t. Spring can be incredibly dynamic. Things can change at a moment’s notice and summer could be here before you even know it. When summer and its blazing hot days hit, you’ll want to be fully ready to soak up all of the sunrays. Because of this, now is the right time to get yourself the patio pieces you need to situate yourself optimally for the summer months. Here are some of the tips you need to get started.

1. Figure Out What You Need

First and foremost, you want to look at what you need. Think about your vision for your outdoor space. You want to consider whether you plan on using it for regular family meals or if you are just going to be using it for entertaining guests. By figuring out how you plan on using the space, you can better determine what you will need to optimize the space. 

For example, if you are going to be eating outside often, you are likely going to want to stock up on a traditional dining set. Whereas, if you are only planning on hosting gatherings, you might want modular furniture for added seating space. However, if you are only going to be using the space for relaxing and possibly drinking or enjoying appetizers, you could try to opt for the most comfortable seating rather than wasting a lot of space on a larger outdoor table.

2. How Much? 

The how much refers to a couple of different things. For one, you need to figure out how much furniture you need and how much you are willing and able to spend on it.

To figure out the answer to the first question, you’ll want to look at who will be using the space and how many people you plan on hosting regularly. Do you have a lot of people in your house? Do you plan on having guests over a lot? Do you have a pool? Do you have people stopping by at random? 

When it comes to how much you are willing to spend, you want to consider your options. There are viable options at just about every price point. Therefore, you will want to figure out how much you are looking to spend. There will be a correlation between quality and price. Therefore, you will need to spend more if you want the most comfort and the best quality. However, it’s a long-term investment as they will last longer. Therefore, it could be a good idea to go towards the upper portion of your budget for the best value. Take a look at Ikea furniture for great deals on garden furniture.

3. What Kind Of Space Limitations Do You Have? 

Figure out how much space you have available to work with. The patio furniture you get should be placed with careful thought. You want to look at and take into account all of the details such as the total amount of sunlight and even the ease of moving it.

The best way to do this is by measuring the total space you have available. If you are working with a smaller space, no need to fret. You’ll have plenty of solutions available for you. For example, you can use a round table that will fit more people in a smaller amount of space. 

4. Do You Need Portability? 

In general, you could always choose to go with lighter materials that have much more portability because they are easier to move around. Or you could opt for the more durable and sturdy pieces that will last longer.

If you are prioritizing portability, you will want to look for lighter-weight materials such as aluminum. Other materials you could look for include plastic, PVC, and even wicker. You also want to factor in whether or not the different pieces you are considering are stackable. This will enable you to save a lot of space while you aren’t using them. 

5. Are You Prioritizing Durability? 

If you are someone who is looking for something more durable, you will want to opt for much more sturdy materials. You’ll find that both wood and iron are good options for those who are prioritizing durability and strength.

Because outdoor furniture is exposed to a lot of different elements, you want to find pieces that don’t require as much maintenance. Because they are going to be exposed to the elements so often, you’ll need to do a little bit of maintenance either way. Luckily, a little bit of maintenance will go a long way in your efforts to keep your outdoor furniture in good condition.

6. Choosing The Right Material

Luckily, those hard plastic chairs that used to leave marks on your legs are completely in our rear-view. Nowadays, you’ll find modern patio furniture that is both stylish and more comfortable than ever before. As soon as you sit down on some of these newer pieces, you won’t want to leave.

When you are choosing your options, you want to prioritize finding materials that are made out of polyester fibers. That way, you can count on the material causing water to run off rather than being absorbed into the material. Also, you’ll want to flip the cushions upside down. If the cushion is patterned, see whether or not the pattern extends to both sides. If so, you’ll be able to extend the overall lifespan of the cushion by flipping it occasionally.

7. What Kind Of Storage Do You Need?

Think about what you’re going to be doing with the furniture after summertime. You’ll likely want to store as much of it as possible. You need to think about how well the furniture stores and whether or not it’s going to be suitable for your storage space. Anything portable should be stored in a protected place such as a storage unit or a shed. If you opt for more durable outdoor storage, you won’t have to worry about it as much.