Whether you have a deck, or a stone paved area, there are many designs of furniture out there that can help compliment even the most basic of patios, giving it a new lease of life.

When looking for your outdoor furniture you will come across numerous designs and themes, as well as different types of materials used, and prices will vary. There are many brands out there that needn’t cost you an arm & a leg. You may wish to go for basic PVC that look great, and are very durable. These tend to withstand most climates, and are maintenance free. Or you may wish to grace your outdoor living area with a more sophisticated natural product such as teak. This tends to be more expensive but withstands the elements well. Its natural oils will help, even when untreated.  Both these materials need only a wipe down after use.

Whichever material you decide, there are numerous designs that can help you achieve the desired theme you’re looking for. You may be fortunate to have a pool that is in close proximity, whereby you can incorporate lounge furniture that can also double as casual pool side chairs. A fire pit is a great place to sit & wind away the hours with small talk amongst family & friends, while the heat takes the chill off a breezy evening. Or maybe you just have a portable heater that could be placed strategically, but is surrounded by well placed seating.

When you’ve decided on style and type of material, you can then enhance your new patio furniture with cushions that are designed purely with the outdoors in mind. These offer a great number of patterns for you to choose from, that are also very durable to withstand the elements. Depending on where you live, you may wish to purchase individual covers for each item of furniture that can co-ordinate with the color schemes you chose for the cushions. On doing so, you can rest assured knowing that your beautiful patio furniture will be guarded from the elements, as you retire for the evening.

Whether you’re on a deck, or a paved area, or out on your lawn, you can actually enhance, and tie in the whole scene with extra plants. Especially being on a deck, where most wooden decking is quite lifeless and bland, why not add extra plants, placed around strategically in Terracotta Pots. Incorporate the barbeque  locally, or central to certain aspects of your patio, just as you would design a kitchen. After all, you are trying to create another living quarter outside the confines of your walls. Be adventurous, if you have a cooking area outside, you may also wish to incorporate an area where food can be prepared, and cooking utensils and crockery can be sanitized. The options are endless.

Often, your evening spent outside with friends and family can be cut short due to temperature change, so you end up taking your party inside, often ruining the night.
Consider how nice it would be for everyone to be in the warm, while enjoying the outdoors. This can be achieved with either fixed static heaters that could actually be plumbed into the main gas supply. Or they could be in the form of mobile propane heaters. There are numerous types out there, varying in different sizes that heat the required seating area. You may even want to make a theme out of the heat by way of a fire pit. This could be a central focal point, where the seating is placed all around. These are generally tied into the main supply, although certain models can be converted to run off a propane bottle.

While dining with your friends, think of how different the mood could be set with a little music filling the air. Depending on your theme, and choice of materials, you could convert your patio into a Mediterranean paradise, listening to the sound of an acoustic guitar coming from cleverly hidden speakers that blend into the background. There are many types out there. You could go for the more traditional type that could be wall mounted, or you could really be imaginative and use floor speakers that are designed to blend in with a rockery, or part of the landscape. There really isn’t a limit as to what you can achieve. Just go and research and turn your dream into a reality

Wooden furniture is perfect for the outside, and it also looks beautiful, blending in very nicely with its surroundings. However, there is a price you pay. It isn’t exactly maintenance free.
Pine/Cedar: You will need to apply an adequate protection for it to remain outside. The wood has to be sealed and you should pay particular attention to the end grain. This will usually be at the bottom of chair and table legs, ends of benches, ends of picnic type tables. You wont have the same problem with round tables, as the manufacturers generally butt a ring around the exposed end grain giving it a more aesthetical, appealing look. I would recommend you treat on a yearly basis.
Teak:
Teak contains a lot of natural oils, making it a very popular choice for outdoor furniture. You could in fact leave it natural, but I would recommend giving it a coat of protection on a yearly basis. Whichever wood you choose, pay particular attention to the bottom of the furniture legs. Whether it’s on a deck, or sitting on a lawn, legs are susceptible. During the summer season, you can help with placing them on plastic cups that can be found in many hardware stores.
Plastic:
Newer types of plastic, and resin type furniture are ideal for outdoor use, and are no longer affected by the sun. They would discolor with UV rays, but that is no longer the case. Very Maintenance free.
Aluminum:
This is a great, versatile material that stands up well to most type of conditions. Over the years, this has become a very popular choice.
Wrought Iron:
This is a very robust material that is both heavy and will stand the test of time as long as you take care of it. It is metal, and will oxidize and rust if left untreated. Make sure the surfaces are completely protected with an adequate paint. Repaint if chips become apparent.
Wicker:
This is by far the least durable to the outdoors. You can, however treat it, but careful consideration should apply. Wicker tends to dry out & warp over long periods in the sun, and should never be left outside for long periods.

Nowadays, you have many available options in terms of color and style. You may wish for a vibrant color that will lift a somewhat  dull area. A bright yellow, or a red, or maybe an orange.  You may wish to have a more earthy type color that adds a touch of class, like a green or brown. There really isn’t a limit as to what you could choose. You may even prefer to put more emphasis on the pattern of the fabric as opposed to the actual color. You may wish to go for both pattern and color. Whatever you choose, your options are enormous. Coordinate the color and pattern scheme to include a patio umbrella, and you will have a set that not only looks very pleasing, but is also very practical.

The textile industry has come a long way in terms of fillings for the fabric. Many patio sets look neglected unless you have the fabrics to adorn them. Cushions, for example make an excellent addition to a reclining patio chair. Not only for the seating aspect, but also for the backrest. Nowadays, cushions are made of foam that will mould to the contours of your body, and will also give some support. Some of the more expensive fillings have what’s known as a memory foam that remembers your profile. Couple a decent filling with a fabric that is soft to the touch, and you have created a very comfortable environment in which you can relax and enjoy the pleasures of your new outdoor living space.
One point to remember on choosing fabric and foams for outdoor areas. They need to be able to withstand a certain amount of resistance to the elements. During the summer season, they will more than likely remain outside, so normal fabric will not withstand the constant onslaught of morning dew, for example. You need material specifically designed for outdoor use. Sunbrella fabrics are considered the best and are well known to boating communities. Whatever fabric you choose, try to spend more, as in this particular instance, you really do get what you pay for. Spending that little bit extra upfront, will in the end give a better return on your investment.

Everyone will have different needs as many regions have varying climates, and some may wish for furniture that requires little or no maintenance at all. Whatever your choice of material, you’ll be able to find outdoor furniture that can both suit your style of home, and also add elegance that will last for many years to come.

Wooden patio furniture is very traditional and probably the most expensive, and adds warmth & elegance to any patio. Wooden furniture is very popular, and can be made out of either softwood, or hardwood. The latter being the more expensive, and more durable.
A good quality pine is often used at the lower end, whereby teak is often the choice at the higher end. However left uncared, can ruin your next summer.

Plastic furniture has grown in popularity over the years as it is a great material for forming some interesting designs, but managing to stay competitively priced, due to the simplicity of the manufacturing process. It’s very durable and can withstand most climates. Some older plastics tend to discolor when left in the sun, but newer types retain their original color.

Aluminum as also grown in popularity due to its lightness and functionality. You can now purchase aluminum furniture in some very elegant designs due also to the fact that the manufacturing process has come a long way, and you no longer have to put up with old fashioned bulky pieces sitting on your deck. There are some beautiful interesting examples in retail stores today that will compliment most patios.

Wrought Iron is a great favorite and appeals to many, purely as it is very budget friendly, and is also very durable. Iron furniture has a very distinctive look and can be very graceful and pleasing to the eye. This distinctive medium works especially well with country residences as it has a very ancient look about it.

Wicker furniture is great if you’re looking for a tropical type theme. It is a reasonably durable, natural product, but is less versatile than teak, and that will be reflected in the price, making it a more appealing, and cheaper alternative to someone on a tighter budget, but with the added bonus of warmth & elegance.