Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide

The backyard can be your oasis of peace and tranquility. It's a perfect retreat after a long day as you soak in all of Mother natures galore. There is no better way to enjoy your outdoor space than being seated in a comfortable outdoor setting. 

However, picking any type of furniture and running with it in most cases does not work. We understand that buying any kind of furniture is an investment that requires serious consideration. So today, we will provide you with a buying guide for purchasing outdoor furniture that you or your guest will enjoy.

Tips on How to Buy the Best Furniture

Write Down a List of Outdoor Furniture Needs

Start by envisioning what you desire your backyard space to look like. Do you prefer a peaceful outdoor reading nook? Do you plan on throwing your next guest or family dinner parties? Or do you want a quiet escape from common indoor space? Whatever the reason, state down all your desires. The list will guide you in determining the best type of outdoor furniture.

Try Outdoor Seating Before You Buy

When you're searching for sofas and patio chairs, try them out before making a purchase. Take a minute or two and sit on the chair to feel if it suits your comfort standards before making an offer. Since you will most likely use the furniture on a regular basis, you need to ensure you pick something worth your while. 

Go for Easy-care Outdoor Furniture

Opt for furniture that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions. It would be best if you had furniture that allows you to enjoy your outdoor space instead of worrying about maintaining it. Look for easy-care outdoor furniture to reduce the need for care and maintenance. This means that the material you choose matters; most cedar, teak, and metal furniture are unfazed by outdoor conditions.

Consider Storage for Your Patio Furniture

Most patio furniture can withstand rainy days and summer seasons, but cold winter seasons present significant damage risks to the fabric and materials of the furniture. However, this does not need to be the case; you can dedicate a storage space for those off-season times.

A shed, garage, or basement will do, even though furniture like wrought iron steel or teak chairs can last longer when placed in storage on harsh weather days. To make it easier, you need to find patio furniture that's not easy to move around and doesn't take up much space.

Match Colors to Your Outdoor Decor

It's not always about the fresh-outdoor air, the lovely chimes of birds, and the feeling of freedom that the outdoors present. Visual appeal plays a big part in the whole essence of any outdoor retreat. 

Therefore, you need to match your furniture colour and decor to your backyard theme. Luckily patio furniture does not limit you to a specific color pattern. Most brand designs come with different color finishes, which allows you to play with different color themes and find what you like.

Invest in Quality Patio Furniture

The saying you get what you pay for also applies to patio furniture. The search for authentic and quality furniture might be challenging and slightly expensive, but it's better to purchase something that looks good and lasts longer than a short-term solution. 

For example, plastic chairs might look good on a shelf, but in time they will lose their appeal once they become brittle and worn out.

Tables, Cushions, and Umbrellas 

Even if you mostly find tables in patio sets, you can decide to purchase tables individually to make a custom design of your own. This especially comes in handy when you have a defined space that does not fit the table of the patio set you desire. Most tabletops are made out of wood, tile, metal, or glass, so you can choose what fits you.

In addition to tables, finding a table with an umbrella hole is like hitting the jackpot. Umbrellas come in handy on those extra sunny days by providing some much-needed shade. Pairing an umbrella with outdoor furniture can be a great ensemble.  

Cushions are a big part of patio design and the furniture's comfort level. Cushions enable you to change the aesthetic appeal without replacing the whole set. Opt for cushions or pillows that are easily washable, waterproof, and of high quality. If you like experimenting with new designs, purchasing replaceable cushions is a good idea.

Frame Design

The frame design and type of material play a significant role in determining the furniture, weight, durability, comfort, and more.

Aluminum: It's a lightweight, rust-resistant, and durable metal. Aluminum is a rigid material that can adhere perfectly to most finishes. This becomes especially important when you remember that the outdoors leaves furniture exposed to harsh conditions.  

Steel & Iron: Aluminium steel and iron are solid and durable materials. However, they are heavier. If you are looking for long-lasting outdoor furniture, a steel or iron frameset is perfect, although it will be tasking moving it around. 

Wicker: It is perfect for outdoor and indoor use, it's an excellent option for porches, patios, sunrooms, or decks, and they work well with cushions. Wickers also bring out a natural outdoorsy look that makes you feel one with nature.

Choosing the type of frame depends on the needs you want your outdoor furniture to meet. It would be best if you were concise about your end goal to make the right choice.

Furniture Sets

Choosing a set plays right into what you plan on using the outdoor furniture for and who you are. If you are the business type and love carrying your work home with you, you will prefer a more formal setting.

Bistro sets offer an ideal outdoor setting for small spaces. They come in various materials and can be paired with low-cut tables for a more aggressive look. You can go for a wrought iron or aluminum frameset like the Avalon Outdoor 4-Seater Lounge Set with Sofa if you like a classic look. 

You can also opt for the more chilled bistro set like the Lazio Outdoor Lounge Set with Sofa Coffee Table. They come with cushions that offer extra comfort and can be changed in the future if you would like to switch them up.

Dining sets are the best furniture for enjoying outdoor meals or dinner parties. They bring all the best aspects of indoor dining to your outdoor space. If you require a larger table from time to time to accommodate extra people, opt for an extendable table.

There are many great options of outdoor dining tables that possess different qualities. Still, only a few meet high standard quality and appeal, such as  Acacia 6-Seater Outdoor Dining Table Set Natur. It's a simple, classic, and durable outdoor dining set capable of accommodating a whole family for a backyard dinner.

Conversation sets are perfect for mimicking living room comfort for outdoor. They offer a relaxed approach to a natural yet beautiful, chaotic outdoor vibe. 

Conclusion

There's a lot you need to take into consideration before creating your slice of outdoor heaven. Whether you crave a personal outdoor experience or love throwing starry night dinner parties, outdoor furniture is the best way to go about it. The tips provided above can be your guiding light into buying a perfect outdoor furniture set.