How to Choose the Right Furniture For Your Patio

When selecting patio furniture, there are several factors you need to take into consideration to get the most out of your purchase. Learn how to choose the right furniture for your patio in this video by The Home Depot:

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Give some thought to your patio setting – the size, orientation, views, and exposure to sun, wind and moisture. You also need to consider how often do you use it and for what purpose – reading and relaxing, or dining and entertaining.

You will want a substantial dining set if you often invite friends and family for dinner. Deep seating sets and ottomans or adjustable chaises and end tables are a better choice for a quiet retreat. Choose comfortable higher quality seating for everyday personal use and less expensive chairs in matching colors and styles that can be easily stored. This way, you don’t crowd your space with furniture you don’t use regularly but have a nice cohesive look when you’re entertaining.

Another important consideration is material. Steel and wrought iron are durable and beautiful; however, if you rearrange your furniture on a frequent basis or use your outdoor space for different activities, aluminum is a better choice. Extra sets of cushions in different colors allow you to easily change the look of your furniture. You also have options for tabletops, which may be tempered glass, wood, tile or metal.

If you entertain a lot, a long rectangular table is ideal; 38″ x 60″ is the standard size for six people, A 42″ diameter table seats four people comfortably. A 60″ square table seats eight. When determining the table size, allow enough surrounding space for moving chairs in and out and for people to stand and walk around the table.

If your outdoor space is smaller, a compact bistro set is a good choice. Two smaller end tables can be pushed together when you have a crowd or placed separately at smaller or intimate gatherings.

Contemporary seating comes in a wide variety of styles, materials and types of seating. Modular seating is very versatile and can be arranged or rearranged as desired. For smaller patios, or if you move your furniture from place to place, lightweight pieces that fold are easy to store when they’re not in use.

No patio set is complete without the patio umbrella, which provides shade as well as a touch of personality. Umbrellas come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials with varying degrees of resistance from moisture and the sun. Think about your patio’s exposure to sun and salty wet air when making your choice. It’s important to have a heavy umbrella base for added stability. Keep your umbrella closed and secured when not in use; if it gets caught in a gust of wind, it can damage your table.

To complete your outdoor space, carts, cabinets, trunks and bins can be used to store cushions and other outdoor accessories. A storage bin with a hinged lid can also serve as a seat. If you plan to keep your furniture outdoors year round, use furniture covers to extend the life of your pieces.