subject: Purchasing The Right Patio Furniture [print this page] When you go patio furniture shopping, be prepared to get confused. The shopping process can be easier if you follow the three steps below.
Step 1 is to be certain of your location. Survey the area. How the furniture will be used is an important question. Must the furniture work outdoors as well as in? How accessible is the location of the furniture for moving? Is there a better location for the furniture?
Answering these questions makes choosing furniture size and type easier. Youll want to consider, for example, the durability of the materials for furniture that will be outdoors year around. In many cases the furniture will need to be easily moved, so consider the weight before making a purchase. Unless you have a helper, consider pieces that are lightweight.
Select furniture that fits, but doesnt overfill, the space available. If you have a good idea of the areas size you wont get too many or few pieces. Small areas are best served by fewer pieces of well-chosen furniture. Too much furniture can make for awkward movement by your guests. Treat your budget and your space kindly by buying just what fits comfortably.
The next step, Step 2, is selecting the actual furniture pieces. All outdoor furniture falls into one of three basic categories: seating, tables and recliners. In addition to the major groups, there are lots of accessories such as hammocks, swings, pillows and cushions, grills, and outdoor lighting. Once again, consider the space available when deciding on accessories.
Think quality when choosing your piecesa few good pieces are a better choice than many mediocre ones. When selecting pieces, fewer is often better. Buy according to your needs, and try to select items that match. Size and weight are again important factors in making your decision, especially if furniture will be moved more than once or twice.
Choose your materialsStep 3. This can be difficult, but you again need to consider what your needs are, comfort, and the amount of time you have to give. Natural materials are beautiful, but often require time for repair and upkeep. You need to decide how much time you can devote to repairs.
Teak is a nice choice as it ages wonderfully, but it can be quite expensive. Some synthetic materials are not as pricey and require less upkeep, but quality varies immensely. Metal has its downside as well: it has the tendency to rust or corrode. You must seriously consider which type will best meet your needs and time.
Thats all there is to it! First, pick your location, then consider the pieces needed for your space, and finally pick your materials.
Broken down that simply, you should be ready to shop!
