Warm weather always arrives with the longing for more outdoor time and it’s not hard to see why—who among us couldn’t use more time outside? Whether it’s grilling out with the family on the deck, entertaining friends on the patio (see our last blog on how to enhance your outdoor living space here!), throwing the ball around in the yard or swimming in the pool – selecting the perfect furniture for your outdoor space is key. You want to enjoy it comfortably, affordably and ensure that it suits your lifestyle.
If you’re stressed over what kind of furniture to buy, look no further. We have 6 stress relieving tips when it comes to considering what patio furniture to purchase.
1. Consider Climate
Do you experience rain on the regular? Get large gusts of wind? Is your area arid and bright?
You definitely want to consider weather patterns where you live before falling in love with an outdoor furniture set. The last thing you want to do is purchase the wrong set for typical weather patterns in your area, especially when it so easily can be avoided.
Great choices for areas with unpredictable weather include metal, teak and outdoor wicker furniture. These materials tend to keep their look and stay in place due to weight. As for furniture made with hollowed aluminum – especially small pieces, such as side tables, may not be the best for areas with high volume wind.
Also consider fabrics and woods with a high tolerance to fading from the sun – afterall, no one wants to purchase new outdoor pieces annually; get longevity out of your purchase.
2. Make Quality a Priority
While shopping, you’ll likely find patio furniture products available in a wide range of prices. Though it may feel difficult to shell out big bucks, remember in most cases, you get what you pay for.
Typically where higher price ranges are found, so it the quality of your furniture. Use the rule of thumb- saving money this year, may result in paying more in the long run. Replacing low quality furniture year after year definitely adds up.
3. No Stress Storage
In order to help your furniture last as long as possible, it’s a good idea to store it when not in use, especially if your area experiences cold or snowy Winter months.
You should not only measure the space wherein you’d like to enjoy your patio furniture, but also the place you plan to store it when it’s not in use. You might also consider how easy or difficult the furniture will be to move to that storage spot.
4. Low Maintenance
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, there are a few things to keep in mind. Are you choosing furniture needing special attention such as cleaning, adjusting, taking out of storage or having to take cushions on and off each use? Is this something you will want to do? Some people may not mind these things, it all depends on your preferences.
5. Try Before You Buy
Whenever possible, you should visit a store to physically see and feel patio furniture before purchasing it. This will give you a better sense of the furniture’s quality and also eliminates any possibility of confusion over things like color, texture or weight.
Plus, trying furniture in person will allow you to assess the comfort—an important factor if you plan on spending a lot of hours on the patio.
Most patio furniture stores are staffed with knowledgeable staff – don’t be afraid to pick associate’s brains, after all they are in this business. To ensure great service, call ahead to see if consultations are available.
6. Have a Style Plan
Before you begin shopping, think about the aesthetic you’ve worked to cultivate in your home or business, and extend that to the patio. Are you traditional? Perhaps a wrought iron set will best fit your taste. Maybe you love to stay on trend? Consider wood patio furniture.
Establishing a style plan ahead of time will help you narrow down your search from the start and keep you from getting side tracked along the way.
Once you’ve considered these tips and you’re ready to find the patio furniture you’ve been dreaming of, give our experts a call at (919) 789-8444 or contact us here to see how we can help assist you in putting together a great outdoor space set up based on your needs.