Home entertainment can take an interesting turn when you have an impressive outdoor space. You can spice up family bonding moments or catch some alone time on a well-furnished patio or deck with a combination of the best outdoor furniture. You may decide to choose a combination of simple furniture; a patio table and lounge chair, or something more daring; a sectional seat to host friends and family.
A great outdoor space doesn't happen by chance; it requires planning and attention to details and needs due to the peculiarity of the outdoor furniture. Whether you're up for solo days of meditation outdoor or look forward to hosting a party in the coming days, there's a perfect furniture set for you. We've compiled an impressive guide on how to get the best outdoor furniture to suit your needs and enliven your outdoor space, and make it your perfect haven of relaxation.
Making a Buying Plan for the Perfect Outdoor Furniture
Think about the perfect space you'd like to create for yourself outdoor; if you put some effort into styling your indoor space, you probably know why doing the same for your outdoor space is equally important. You should have a comfortable outdoor area to sit in while you enjoy nature's fresh air or stare into the starry night.
Planning your outdoor space is not a waste of time. There are certain things to consider when selecting the perfect furniture that suits your needs, budget, and style. The quality of material you're settling for, durability, and how much maintenance the furniture will require are important factors that help you decide on the best furniture that perfectly works for you.
Consider Your Outdoor Space
The amount of space available to you to utilize will determine the size of furniture that will sit pretty in your outdoor space. However, regardless of the size of the space and furniture you can use, it's never difficult to decorate it to a breathtaking taste.
1.Small Outdoor Space: 2-3 People
If you have an outdoor area that could comfortably sit about two to three people, there are ways to furnish the area to taste. Since sitting is of the essence, you may consider investing in an outdoor rocking chair accompanied with a stellar ottoman, which could serve as a table or additional sitting space when you have company. This is perfect if you're often alone in your space and hardly host guests. You may choose a family sitting space by furnishing your outdoor area with a 3 piece outdoor bistro set for relaxation.
Additionally, you could set up your patio with more than one patio bistro set; it makes for extra seating space. This works great if you are a family of about three persons, and you can enjoy intimate family moments together out on your patio at any time of the day. A small patio space is great for mediation and alone time and helps to shut out the distraction of too many items catching the eye. When choosing your furniture, consider the dimensions of the space you have available, so you can also put it into consideration when choosing your furniture. Knowing this makes it easy to choose furniture that perfectly fits into the space while providing ample room for movement.
2.Medium Space: 4-6 People
Use an outdoor conversation set:
Having a larger space comes with the exciting perk of hosting more people if you don't already have a large family. One of the best ways to work around this space is to use outdoor conversation sets. They make it so easy to have people around, engage in mind-blowing conversations and interesting games, amongst other things. They also come in handy for outdoor family dining moments and are a great plus to have around. There are also various collections of patio conversation sets made from different materials that would sit pretty on your patio.
You may choose a set with a combination of chairs with back and arm rest, storage and sitting ottomans, and a set of tables as well. Depending on the space and the number of people to use the space, you may also decide to have more ottomans than chairs or vice ver. Setting up your outdoor space with these sets tends to strengthen family bonds and make people feel closer to one another. If this is important to you, then this might be the perfect set for your space. It's also important to confirm the dimensions of your available space before settling for a specific set for your patio.
Use an outdoor sectional couch:
If you needed the perfect excuse to use a sectional chair for your space but didn't get the chance indoors, you might as well bring the spice outdoor! These pieces provide one of the best options to use your outdoor space without taking up so much space and compromising on style. Let's say you have ample space for a 5 piece outdoor sectional sofa, you get to enjoy several benefits from just a piece of furniture. With it, you can host your family or friends for a special hangout, or lounge out in the open during your alone time, thanks to the ample space available. You're not missing out much if what works for your space is a 4 piece outdoor sectional, and neither are you overindulging with a 6 piece outdoor sectional! There's so much you can do with your patio area with the perfect outdoor furniture collection.
Just ensure you have your dimensions in place when choosing your preferred set, so you don't go for something too long or too short. It's best to use a matching set for easy décor or go stylish if that's your forte. However, be careful not to settle for awkward-looking furniture that may seem out of place.
3.Large Space: Over 6 People
Larger space gives you the flexibility to decorate with all the listed furniture types. You may decide to section up your open area; a space for family moments and a separate space for personal time. Here you could have an outdoor rocking chair in a corner, where you sit to enjoy a great view or read a favorite book. On the other side, you may arrange a sectional couch for lounging or use a modular couch that you can increase or decrease as the occasion demands. If you love to keep your furniture looking simple and in one piece, you may settle for the 7 piece outdoor sectional or 8 piece outdoor sectional couch, especially if you have more people around.
The furniture style is also perfect for hosting friends and family of over 6 people as frequently as you need to. The perk about the modular sofa is that everyone can have their personal space while hanging outdoor without getting into each other's faces. This is because the chair is flexible enough to be used in parts and repositioned in any part of the house. It can then be arranged into a single unit when the need arises.
Consider Modular Options
Another impressive way to use up your space regardless of size is to use the modular outdoor sofa. It affords you the flexibility of combining it in various ways and managing extra seats by storing them properly when not needed. Outdoor modular sectionals are highly versatile, and they can help to shape your space. This allows you to style it to your taste, regardless of the available space. If you decide to get creative, you can also change the arrangement of the seats as often as you want to.
You'll find a combination of various modules that will come in handy for your outdoor space which includes choosing the right arm module, left arm module, ottoman module, and the single module. These modules can be combined in various degrees to suit your space and seating needs. Also, if you have ample outdoor space, you may choose to set up more than one modular sofa to accommodate more people or use up the available space. The ottoman module is another impressive unit in this option that adds style and class to your outdoor space. Additionally, you may choose to restyle this furniture set if you frequently host outdoor events to boost your aesthetics.
Consider where you want to place your furniture
There's so much you can do with your outdoor space, and the perfect furniture can help to redefine comfort in your outer area. The kind of furniture you're settling for is largely a function where you want to position your furniture. Here are some examples;
1. Patio
Ample patio space can be utilized for relaxation, and you can easily use an outdoor rocking chair for your patio or a combination of these conversational outdoor sets. Your decision would still be influenced by the amount of space you have available.
2.Deck
Unlike the concrete patio, this area is made up of a wooden floor, and you can furnish it to your comfort. Ensure the floor is made up of solid hardwood that can accommodate the weight of furniture or other activity to be done above it.
3.Pool
If you're looking to have pool-side furniture, a sectional sofa would make a great option and can be used for lounging out in the open or having friendly conversations with a partner.
4.Porch
Here you can be flexible with your choice of furniture; you could position two single seats with a side table sitting pretty between them. It's perfect for one-on-one conversations and great for sitting out alone.
5.Garden
Choosing a piece of garden furniture can be fun, as you get versatile options to choose from that blend in or stand out from nature; you can have it just how you want it. A simple garden bench or rattan loveseat can make a whole difference in your garden.
6.Balcony
Make the perfect style statement with your balcony space by choosing a combination of table and chair for your comfort and leisure.
7.Backyard
Your backyard is another space you can utilize for your comfort if you don't have enough front space. A nice wooden bench or seating set can come in handy for your relaxation.
Consider the Furniture Material
When deciding the best furniture for your outdoor space, the material of choice plays an important role. If you'll be leaving your furniture outdoors regardless of seasonal changes, it's important to put the material quality into consideration.
1.Aluminum
This material is a lightweight metal and is commonly worked into outdoor furniture for its durability and strength. It's often used for its low maintenance quality and lack of rust, which makes it easy to use for all-season outdoor furniture.
2.Wicker and Rattan
Wicker and rattan are lightweight materials commonly used for making outdoor furniture and can be easily moved around. Although this material is not suitable for the wet season, its lightweight design makes it easy to move it from being exposed to the elements. On the other hand, synthetic rattan is well-suited for all-season use.
3.Steel and Wrought Iron
Steel is quality metal and great for a furniture set that will be permanently positioned outdoor. This material is quite expensive and lauded for durability when coated properly. Wrought iron furniture is significant for its aesthetic design due to its hand-made quality. Furniture made from either material is often long-lasting and strong.
4.Wood
Wood remains an impressive material for outdoor furniture due to its natural feature. Furniture made from solid wood is often long-lasting and weather-resistant if maintained properly in and out of season. This material largely offers value for the cash invested into it due to its strength and durability.
5.Plastic
Plastic outdoor furniture is becoming increasingly popular due to there unique property and versatility for all-season use. They are durable, strong, and often fade-resistant, such that it retains their glow through years of use. Although several plastic types are being used in manufacturing outdoor furniture, researching the best quality plastic material will help to select the right one for your space.
Consider your Weather and Environment
If you'll be leaving your furniture outdoor, then it must be able to accommodate varying temperatures brought on by your surroundings. You'll find some materials more favorable in your environment than for those who reside in other locations. Some face milder winters when compared to others, and wet weather in some locations is milder than in others. Looking at where you live and the environmental conditions you confront, realize that your outdoor furniture will have to deal with these environmental conditions every single year and you must decide with this in mind.
Once you've evaluated what your weather is like, you can determine how you want to manage the situation altogether. You may decide to use a furniture cover during winter or wet seasons, leave your furniture outdoor only in autumn or summer, and store them up in winter. However, if enjoying family time by a fire pit in cold weather is important to you, then you must ensure you select a weather-resistant fire pit for your convenience.
You can enjoy an all-season outdoor experience alone or with family if you have the right furniture to suit the environment where you live or prefer to cover up your furniture on harsh weather days. Although, the latter might seem quite challenging if you're hardly available at home.
It's best to settle for durable and weather-resistant outdoor furniture for non-residential buildings; this helps to ensure the strength and durability of the furniture and requires low maintenance. Another perfect alternative would be to invest in furniture covers to protect the furniture against the elements.
Pay Attention to Furniture Comfort
If it's not comfortable, then it's not worth the investment. However, you won't know if you don't take a seat before purchasing the outdoor chairs or sofas. It's important you prioritize comfort over price since you're likely to spend quite some time in it with friends and family. It's even more important if you're selecting the furniture for non-residential use; you don't want to jeopardize quality relationships and patronage due to poor sitting comfort. Cushioned seats are likely to provide some degree of comfort, so look out for those with bark and arm cushions especially. Also, ask questions about the quality of material stuffed into the cushion, as some materials collapse from continuous use after a while. Knowing this will help you to make an informed buying decision.
Consider your Room Storage Space
If continuous maintenance of outdoor furniture might pose a challenge to you, one of the easiest ways to deal with it is to make room to store your outdoor furniture when not in use. You can literarily elongate the lifespan of your furniture by keeping it in a safe place during the off-season. Sectional pieces can be re-boxed and stored up in spaces like your garage or cellar and away from the elements for maximum protection.
While some outdoor furniture, such as wrought-iron sofas, are truly weather-resistant, storing them away from the elements in harsh seasons will help them to last longer than when it's always exposed. You may also choose foldable furniture types if you don't have the luxury of space to store them up. Overall, planning storage spaces for your outdoor furniture will help to preserve your financial investments in them.
Match Colors to Your Outdoor Decor
Colors are important to having a breathtaking outdoor space that you'd always want to relax in. Hence, you can have fun matching your furniture in exciting colors. Also, you're not restricted to buying patio furniture in neutral hues or wood's natural tones, although there are ample of them available. You may also try out items made of wood, wicker, and metal, which are now available in a wide range of vibrant finishes for an eclectic-looking space.
The easiest way to balance your outdoor décor is to look for furniture that highlights the hues in your home's exterior or external surroundings. You may also do a quick paint job if the ideal color isn't available, and then you can have your preferred shade. Try out bolder hues for accent pieces and cushions. Since they are less expensive to replace and they won't wear out easily from frequent use.
Consider Furniture Quality and Budget
Various outdoor furniture is available at various prices and quality, and if you get a good deal, you're likely to get what you pay for. That's to say that you won't likely get durable furniture on a very low budget. Certain quality chairs made from plastic may seem good looking for one or two years outside in the sun, but with time they will deteriorate and lose their brilliant color. The same is true for several wicker and wood goods.
Sometimes it's best to save more than buy what fits the budget so you don't end up with crappy outdoor furniture in a short time. Defining what's important to your outdoor décor will help you prioritize what's important and determine what items to spend more or less on if you're on a tight budget.
Consider Furniture Maintenance and Care
You need not spend most of your free time caring for the furniture when you ought to be relaxing with family or indulging in some personal time. Choosing low-maintenance furniture will help to reduce maintenance requirements and help you focus on other aspects of your home, especially during changing seasons. You may choose quality materials like aluminum, or furniture from hardwood such as teak and cedar, or even the all-weather wicker furniture which will naturally withstand the elements. With these materials, you can be sure your furniture will last for years and will require only a little bit of routine cleaning. Additionally, investing in furniture covers may help to save the stress of maintenance regardless of the season, or you could just store them up when the need arises.
Conclusion
Purchasing the best outdoor furniture for your space depends on various factors, the most important being your needs and the amount of space available to you. Decorating your outdoor space gives you the flexibility to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature or bonding with friends and family. While your outdoor furniture needs may vary depending on the space available, it's much easier to make the best choice with this guide. While having a good budget is essential, you may decide to work with specific sets of furniture for your space to reduce cost.
Choosing a modular sofa can help to cut costs on extra seating space, and you also have something to lounge in whenever you want to. A simple rocking chair may also be sufficient for smaller spaces while you save up for a loveseat set for later.
Outdoor furniture is made with different material types; however, having storage space can help to save you the hassle of continuous maintenance. When purchasing an outdoor furniture set, putting all of the above factors into consideration will help to purchase the perfect fit for your space and style.