Best Outdoor Furniture for Your Pretty Patio
Did you know that patio is a Spanish origin word meaning courtyard of a building or home? This is a traditional open space surrounded by walls and other structures. Unlike a deck, patios are on the same ground level as the house and have concrete or cement slabs instead of wood.
Patios are great outdoor features for commercial and residential spaces. These spaces are versatile, and a good architect can make them into any shape with practical landscaping. They require no railing since they are at ground level.
There are many ways you can style and decorate a patio. You can turn it into another room for cooking or eating. It is the perfect place to host a barbecue in summer or lounge in the sunset with a good book or a loved one.
But this is not possible without good outdoor furniture. Your pretty patio deserves beautiful outdoor furniture that can withstand the weather. Your outdoor patio furniture should provide exceptional comfort while effortlessly tying your space together.
There are many outdoor furniture pieces to pick from. So before you get wrapped up in all the choices, we encourage you to go through the following guide. It will cover the best outdoor furniture for your patio. You should have the ideal sets for your patios by the end of this guide.
But first, learn the important considerations to make before buying an outdoor future for the patio.
Factors To Consider When Buying Outdoor Patio Furniture
Space
The first thing you should consider is your space. People have different sizes of patios, and this consideration helps you determine the type of set you will get for the patio, plus the number of pieces.
Ensure that your furniture fits the space without affecting flow. Ensure that you get correct measurements, leaving room for movement. And remember, just because you have a small patio does not mean you cannot get good furniture for your space.
Budget
Next, your budget should help you determine a few things—first, the type of furniture material to go with. Different materials have different price tags, and sometimes, your budget can help you make a choice. It will also determine any accessories and add-on features such as cushion thickness, throws, and rugs.
And lastly, your budget can determine how many pieces or sets to get. Remember that the budget should not be your primary determining factor. After all, high-quality items can be a little pricey. So set a generous but practical budget.
Weather
Patios are often uncovered and therefore prone to the weather. When it rains, snows or the sun shines, the outdoor furniture will be susceptible to these changes. Sun can fade or sunburn the material, also triggering breaking.
Moisture can make the materials rust or swell, triggering rot and mold. Uneven drying in some materials also leads to warping and cracking. Wind carries or tips over light furniture leading to breakage. Your specific location should help you pick the right furniture to withstand these conditions.
Comfort
Another consideration to make is your comfort. Determine how comfortable you want to be on the outdoor furniture. If you need lounging sets, ensure you get thick cushions and pillows to make the chairs more comfortable. You will also need throws and better backrests. You can also look for ergonomic designs to support your back better.
Maintenance
Next, consider how much time you have to care for your outdoor furniture. Different materials require various levels of maintenance. If you can handle the chore, then go with the materials you desire. However, the best choice is HDPE patio furniture that does not demand a lot of care. Every once in a while, requiring minimal cleaning supplies is the best choice.
Additional features
And lastly, go for additional features to make your furniture more habitable and comfortable. Footrests, headrests, cup holders, storage space, and swivel features are additional features that can make your patio more comfortable. Remember that they come at an additional cost, so ensure your budget can allow purchase.
Best Outdoor Patio Furniture
So now that you know what to consider as you pick outdoor furniture, you can explore the following furniture choices. They are ideal for any patio and come in various designs, colors, and materials. Just make sure they can fit in your space, and you select the best materials for your theme and location.
Adirondack Chairs
Adirondack chairs are a classic choice for patios. They are stylish, easy, and have a sophisticated flair. Getting Adirondack chairs for your patios is a good choice because they offer versatility. The Adirondack chairs come in various styles and colors, plus materials.
The first thing you should note is that Adirondack chairs are wide. Therefore, consider your space and if it can fit these chairs without hindering movement. Additionally, they are set low with a leaning backrest so ensure this is ideal for your visitors.
Rocking Chairs
The rocking chair is a good substitute or complement to the Adirondack chair. Rocking chairs are ideal for homesteads with people of different ages. Additionally, they are suitable for curling up with a book on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
When buying a rocking chair, ensure that you pick the right materials to withstand pressure from the weight. Additionally, ensure it has a leaning backrest that also offers support. Finally, ensure that your rocking chair can fit on your patio without affecting traffic flow.
Chaise lounge
The chaise lounge is a great piece to include on your patio, especially with a pool. It is perfect for sunbathing and resting after a powerful swim. So, first, ensure that the material is moisture-proof or will not be affected by exposure to water.
Secondly, ensure that the material does not retain heat. Retaining heat will make the chaise lounge unusable since it can burn you. There are adjustable chaise lounges, which are great for accommodating different people.
Side tables
Side tables are the solution for small patios needing a flat surface to serve food and drinks. Side tables are small and often the height of a standard coffee table. If you have limited space, this is the ideal choice that lets you keep food and other items comfortably.
Ensure that you pick a shape that will save you space for movement. Circular shapes are best for small spaces since they take up less room while offering the same surface area as rectangles.
Footstools
Footstools are not a must-have, but they are undoubtedly helpful. A footstool will give you much-needed support when sitting on a high chair. It also puts your legs comfortably when sitting in a chair with an extended backrest.
Moreover, you can use it as extra seating for kids when hosting. Ensure that the footstool is strong with a practical design. They come in various surface and leg designs, so pick the one that feels natural to you. And ensure it will not take up traffic space on the patio.
Dining sets
Dining sets are very common in patios because they are practical. Most people use their patios as second dining places when hosting parties or barbecues during summer. A lovely dining set comes in handy since it can accommodate more people than your indoor set.
When picking the dining set, remember to leave room for movement and the chairs. People need to get in and out of the chairs without bumping into anything. This should also determine if you get table leaves and the number of chairs.
Bar sets
If you decide to include an island or bar counter on your patio, then the choice is easy, bar sets. Bar sets come with high chairs and tables ideal for hosting a younger crowd that can easily get in and out of these chairs.
It is always good to get bar chairs with backrest support to help with comfort since you will be sitting for a long time. You can even get bar chairs with armrests to further enhance comfort. Ensure that tables are sturdy to prevent spilling.
Sofas
If you have a large patio and often host family or friends, then you need sofas for lounging. Sofas are a great way to bring extra comfort to your patio. They improve long conversations and the ambiance at a party since guests will be comfortable.
Ensure that your sofa comes with sturdy, thick, and durable cushions for longevity. There are many styles to choose from, but the goal is to give enough room for movement, especially if you have a coffee table in your set-up.
Coffee tables
Coffee tables are an ideal pairing for sofas. You can use them for dining, and they always tie the set together fashionably. Coffee tables come in multiple materials, including wood, poly lumber, and metal. Some even have a glass top.
If you will have kids running around, pick a coffee table with rounded edges to prevent accidents. Ensure that it is sturdy to avoid tilting, leading to spilling. Additionally, get it at a comfortable height.
Benches
Outdoor benches are ideal for big families since they accommodate more people. Additionally, they are suitable for keeping an eye on the kids. Select a good beach height ideal for the different age groups of guests. Additionally, pick a practical width, and it is always best to get a backrest for added comfort. Overall, ensure that the bench is sturdy and does not tilt on one side.
Swings
A good patio swing is great if you have kids or babies in your compound. It is a great place to lounge or curls up with a book. Swings come in a variety of materials. But, ensure that the rope or chain is strong enough to hold its weight. Additionally, ensure it will adequately leave ample room for other furniture and traffic flow.
Umbrellas
Since most patios are uncovered, it helps to include an umbrella in your dining or bar set. A good umbrella will provide shade, making the hot summer days outside more manageable. When selecting an umbrella, ensure it can adequately keep out sun and rain. It should be durable and able to withstand long-term sun exposure.
Storage boxes
Storage boxes are slowly appearing on more patios. After all, you need a place to store your outdoor throws, cushions, and rugs when they are not in use. Some storage boxes can even double as benches for kids. Just ensure it does not take too much room while offering practical storage space. Additionally, ensure it is sturdy enough to hold the weight.
Picnic benches
If you are looking for creative ways to incorporate seating with a table, then go for a picnic set. It has both and will save you space and money. Ensure that your picnic set can handle the weight on one side to prevent tilting when others stand up. Additionally, ensure the table is not too far or high from the bench to allow everyone to use it comfortably.
Daybeds
Daybeds are ideal for the lazy lounger. They will facilitate easy napping or lounging during a warm day or evening. Ensure you get a thick mattress for maximum comfort. Also, ensure it does not take up too much space. Finally, you should get a complimentary throw for the day bed. Suitable daybeds do not have high bedposts to facilitate a sense of freedom.
Egg chairs
The egg chair is the perfect addition to a scenic patio. People love egg chairs because you can move them around easily to get away from the sun or bask in them. Get an egg chair with a cozy feel since this is a one-person seat. Ensure you can fit well with a few pillows to improve support and comfort. And lastly, ensure that the base is sturdy for holding weight.
Hammocks
And lastly, getting a hammock base plus its accessories is great for enhancing your patio, especially if you live alone and have limited space. You can set it up on the patio to facilitate lazy days in the sun, a night camping experience, or curling up with a good book.
