Did you know that there’s a scientific reason behind why we love spending time outside? It’s true! Studies have shown that being outside can benefit our mental and physical health.
If you’re looking to incorporate more outside time in your daily life, look no further than your backyard. If you have a patio, now’s the time to spruce it up to encourage you to spend more time outdoors.
Picking patio furniture is a great way to get started.
If you’re looking for guidance as you look for the perfect outdoor patio setup, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn about the most important factors to consider when buying furniture for patios to help you turn your outdoor space into a backyard oasis.
1. Think About How You Plan to Use It
First up, spend some time thinking about how you plan to use your patio space. Do you envision yourself hosting fun outdoor gatherings with your friends, family, and neighbors? Or, will it be more of a private space for just your family to enjoy?
If you need outdoor patio furniture that can accommodate summer dinner parties, for example, your needs will be different than if you plan to use the space as an outdoor reading nook.
Once you have a better idea of how you want to use your space, you can make a patio furniture checklist with all the items you need. This list should include the number of chairs you need, tables, ottomans, etc.
When you know how you want your space to function, it will be much easier to figure out what you need to get to bring that dream to reality.
2. Consider Different Types of Materials
Patio furniture comes in a variety of different materials like wood, wicker, and metal. You’ll want to carefully consider which material makes the most sense for your backyard space before making your decision. First, think about appearance. Do you have a personal preference for one material over another?
Next, think about the weather conditions in your area. Do you get a lot of direct sunlight or heavy thunderstorms? Extreme weather can do a number on your patio furniture, causing it to break down quickly. If you live in an extreme climate, choose an all-weather material that can withstand changing weather.
3. Think About Maintenance Requirements
Your patio is meant to be a space for relaxation, not another item for you to take care of on your ever-growing to-do list. When picking patio furniture, make sure you understand the type of maintenance it requires before making your final decision.
Of course, you’ll have to clean your patio furniture occasionally, no matter what, but some types of furniture require less care than others. Look for a material that you can easily clean with soap, water, and a soft cloth. If you choose furniture with cushions, make sure the covers are safe to go in the washing machine to help make it easier to maintain.
You can also look for furniture that comes with cover options, to help keep it clean when not in use.
4. Prioritize Comfort
Of course, you want your patio furniture to look beautiful, but if it’s not comfortable, you’ll never want to actually use it. Shopping online is a great option for buying furniture, but since you can’t sit on it first, make sure you pay attention to the description of the furniture to make sure it seems like it will be cozy.
Many online stores off a comfort guarantee so you have peace of mind that you can try out your new furniture and return it with no hassle if you find that it’s not comfortable enough.
5. Think About Potential Storage Options
Depending on where you live, you may not be able to use your patio year-round, especially in the winter. In that case, consider how you will store your furniture.
Before buying outdoor patio furniture, make sure you have a place to store it, like a basement, garage, or outdoor shed. If you don’t have enough storage space on hand, then look for furniture that can collapse down or stack, so it takes up less space when you want to put it away for the season.
This will help keep your patio furniture in good shape so it’s ready to use once spring arrives.
6. Use It to Express Your Personal Style
Buying patio furniture is a great opportunity to showcase your personal style! If you like fun, bold colors, but don’t necessarily want them all over your house, then pick up fun cushions for your outdoor space.
If you prefer a more cohesive look, then consider your outdoor space and buy patio furniture that complements it. For example, get furniture that matches your home’s shutters for a simple, classic look.
Don’t be afraid to get specialty outdoor decorations like throw pillows as well, especially if you want to decorate for holidays throughout the year. At the end of the day, your outdoor space should be a fun place that you love.
7. Don’t Forget to Measure
Finally, before you buy patio furniture, don’t forget to measure your outdoor space to make sure everything will fit. You don’t want the space to look awkward with furniture that’s so big that it overwhelms the space. Likewise, furniture that’s too small will also look strange.
For an accurate idea of how the furniture will look in your space, try laying out pieces of painter’s tape on the patio in the shape of the furniture so you can get a feel for how it will look and flow.
Picking Patio Furniture for Your Backyard
After reading through these tips about picking patio furniture, you should feel more confident that you know how to make the right decision for your outdoor space. Now, the fun part can begin! Time to start shopping so you can spend more time enjoying your backyard and making memories with the people you love.
Looking for more home inspiration? Browse through our other articles for more just like this.
