Choosing Your Patio Furniture
Good patio furniture increases both the aesthetic and financial value of a home. Furnishing your patio is a good idea. It gives you a place to enjoy the outdoors and maybe your garden. During parties it provides more living space so that your indoor area won't become too cramped. A fully furnished patio will also give you an alternative place to enjoy a good meal or snacks with your family. With this in mind choosing the right kind of furniture is very important. Here are some things to consider when buying patio furniture
Space
Not all patios are created equal. Some are big and some are small. Therefore your furniture should fit perfectly in your space. For small patios choose small furniture. For big patios it does not matter because you can divide the space and add different kinds of furniture. For small patios a couple of chairs and small table will do. This will give you somewhere to sit down and a table for flowers, a cup of tea or coffee or maybe your laptop. Big patios can have couches, some chairs and even a big table for entertainment and relaxation purposes.
Use
What are you going to use your patio for? Some people use their patio for barbecues, eat meals or enjoy a cup coffee or just to relax. Knowing how you will use your space will give you an idea what kind of furniture to buy. If you are going to use it to eat make sure that your table is big enough and there are enough chairs. If you plan to use it for entertainment a couple of couches, tables and chairs will be needed. For a relaxation area consider a reclining chair or lounge chair.
Material
There are many different patio furniture materials to choose from. There is wicker, metal, iron, wood, plastic and aluminum. There are pros and cons to these different kinds of materials. Wicker for example is lightweight and durable even if it is exposed to sun and rain. Wrought iron is very durable but is weak against rust. Wood like teak and other hardwood is very durable but is vulnerable against moisture. Doing a little research on the different kinds of materials will give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses and will make choosing easier.
Weather Resistant
Choosing weather resistant patio furniture is very important because they are generally left outside most of the time. Exposure to the elements can weaken the structural integrity of the material especially if it is made from wood. Many people think that plastic is durable but is actually very brittle when constantly exposed to varying temperatures. Buyers also find that it lacks the elegance of wood.
A good resource: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/garden/index.html
Budget
Budget is very important because it can dictate what you can and cannot afford. The good news is that there are many affordable patio furniture that won't break the bank. Materials like wicker and plastic are usually low cost, lightweight, easy to maintain and come in many different colors and designs. For those with more money to spend, materials like teak other hardwood and wrought iron are good choices for their durability and elegance.
When choosing patio furniture it should be something that is nice to look at, easy on the budget and durable. Cleaning furniture regularly, treating it with polish and wax and painting it from time to time will extend their lifespan allowing you to save money and enjoy it for a long time.
