Create a Beautiful Outside Oasis
When creating a comfortable outside sitting area for your family and friends, there are certain considerations that will help you achieve the best results. Your outdoor furniture will be the center of attention in your outside oasis. If you choose wisely and buy high-quality outdoor furniture, it should last a very long time.
So making the right choice and getting furniture that will not only endure but provide the look and comfort you want is of significant importance. That brings us to the question of “how do you know which patio furniture to choose?”
Five (5) Things to Consider in Selecting Patio Furniture
Many people enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends, which means their outdoor living space becomes as important as the indoors. Choosing high-quality patio furniture can help you make this area a favorite with every member of your family as well as your guests. It’s a personal choice and mostly depends on your lifestyle and your family’s needs, but there are important things to think about to ensure you are happy with your final decision. Consider these five areas as you choose your patio furniture:
• Style
• Type
• Finish
• Size
• Durability
1. What style appeals to you the most?
Styles in patio furniture vary greatly, but the purpose of considering style has more to do with your personal preference than actual construction. The style you pick in patio furniture says much about your character. Think about the image you’d like to convey with your patio furniture and start from there. Here are the five main styles that patio furniture comes in:
• Strapped/Sling Seat Design
Constructed of fabrics, this seat design offers great lumbar support because of its all-in-one design, which resembles a chaise recliner.
• Metal
This durable style uses aluminum and iron. It is what appears in most types of patio furniture.
• Wood
This style of patio furniture can come in a variety of wood types such as pine, cedar, teak, and even wicker.
• Cushioned Seat Design
Not all patio furniture has padding, but cushioned seating is a popular style today because of the added support it offers.
• Resin
Constructed of strong polymers, resin patio furniture is a favorite today for people who want to save money but still have a stylish look to their outdoor furniture.
2. Which type of patio furniture is best for your location?
In choosing your patio furniture, you should also be aware of the different types. Most patio furniture is available in the following types:
• Aluminum
• Iron
• Resin
• Teak
• Wood
• Wicker
When you compare these types, it is essential for you to take your location into account. If you live in an exceptionally hot area, then metal furniture is not a good choice for you. Resin patio furniture might be better. On the other hand, if you live in a colder climate, resin might not be a wise choice because polymer products can crack under extreme cold.
3. What type of finish makes the most sense for your family?
When it comes to finishes, there are three main types: frame finishes, vinyl finishes, and a combination of frame and vinyl. When picking a finish, you should definitely consider the weather elements, particularly if you have nowhere to store your patio furniture during your harshest seasons. For example, as with patio furniture types, a vinyl finish might not stand up as well as a wood frame finish in colder climates.
4. Are you considering the size that will be most comfortable?
There are many choices in patio furniture and patio accessories, but size is a pivotal factor to bear in mind. Ask yourself two important questions:
• How much space do you have on your patio or deck?
• How does the patio furniture fit your profile?
You don’t want furniture that cramps your patio space too much – it is possible to have too much of a good thing. You also need to make sure you’re choosing patio furniture that fits your style and feels good too. If the furniture you pick is pretty but doesn’t feel comfortable, then you won’t use it, which defeats the purpose.
5. How durable is the patio furniture you like most?
Of course you want your patio furniture to withstand normal wear and tear and last for a long time. So it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to help you make the best selections:
• Will young children use the furniture?
• What are your weather conditions – especially if your furniture will remain uncovered year round?
• Does your patio receive direct sunlight during the day?
Think about the materials from which your furniture is constructed. You may love the look of Teak wood; however, if your climate is high in moisture or sunlight, teak might not be the wisest choice for you.
Making the Best Choice
Searching for the best patio furniture to fit into your lifestyle is simplified when you decide on your preference of style, consider your location and climate, and take into account the needs of your family. When you consider these factors, you can make the best choice and create an atmosphere in your outside oasis that will bring hours of comfort and pleasure to your friends and family.
About DirectBuy:
Choose great patio furniture and outdoor living accessories at terrific savings from DirectBuy. Wholesale prices direct from leading manufacturers and their authorized suppliers at DirectBuy help you create a comfortable outside oasis and complete any home remodeling project you have in mind. Experience the quality and savings at DirectBuy!
[tags]patio furniture, outdoor living accessories, directbuy[/tags]
September 10th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
What type of patio furniture is most resistant to damage from getting wet? We have a lot of kids running around our backyard and playing in our swimming pool.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Hello Gordon,
Because of factors like climate and maintenance, outdoor living isn’t as carefree as it might seem. But with some careful consideration, you can create the outside oasis of your dreams!
A piece of advice from the patio experts at DirectBuy: Opt for resin furniture. Resin is more resilient than any other type of furniture to the elements, chemicals and moisture. Toss your preconceived notions about resin out the window, too, because today’s resin furniture is much more stylish than you expect. Even if resin’s not what you’re looking for, DirectBuy’s patio experts say that solid metal furniture may be another good choice for you.
Cushions should be avoided, if possible. While kids splashing around in your backyard can liven up your summer, they can wreak havoc on cushions. The chlorine and chemicals from a pool will wear their fabric quickly, so the cushions you use poolside won’t last as long as the ones you keep under the shelter of your porch.
If you really want to add an extra accent of color, select slings. They dry much more quickly and don’t hold moisture as long as cushions.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I am interested in purchasing resin furniture, and I understand that it is supposed to be quite durable. I am wondering… will it rust?
September 28th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Hi Lisa,
Resin is becoming an increasingly popular option for outdoor furniture, as more and more stylish choices arrive on the market.
But it’s not just resin outdoor furniture’s look that makes it so appealing. It’s designed to be extremely durable and weather-resistant.
Remember, like any type of outdoor furniture, you will need to take care of your resin furniture to keep it looking beautiful. Clean off soil and stains with a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner or glass cleaner, following the label’s directions.
October 17th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Patio Furniture and Outdoor Living Accessories for Your Home | DirectBuy Articles, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Hi Daniel,
We’re glad to hear that you’re interested in patio furniture, and we would be happy to clarify any of the information in the article.
Please feel free to write back with any questions you have about outdoor furniture, and we’ll have our patio experts at DirectBuy post an answer asap.
We look forward to hearing from you!
October 19th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Will iron furniture rust and leave rust stains on my patio?
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:03 am
Hello Brenda,
Iron furniture adds an elegant look to any patio – but you don’t want it to add scary stains, too!
Eventually, your iron furniture will rust and will leave residue on your patio. Is the furniture for your dream home by the sea? Those ocean breezes will cause your furniture to rust even more quickly.
A smart choice that will last longer than iron – without leaving an impression on your patio – is extruded aluminum furniture, which is durable and will not rust.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
We are looking for some modern outdoor furniture that will be able to hold up in the FL heat. What styles should we consider and eliminate based upon our location?
November 30th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Hi Melissa,
When you’re lucky enough live in a sunny locale, your outdoor furniture is just as important as the furniture inside your house. But it’s a good idea to think carefully about which types will stand up to your climate.
The outdoor furniture experts at DirectBuy suggest looking at sets made of extruded aluminum, or all-weather wicker. Luckily, you’ll find that these types offer a huge variety of modern styles.
Which types of outdoor furniture should you avoid? Cast-iron and steel furniture, which won’t hold up as well.
For more guidance selecting the outdoor furniture that’s right for your family, check out your local DirectBuy showroom, where there’s a huge selection of outdoor furniture that won’t break your budget.