Outdoor living has now taken on a new identity. We used to just pull our old plastic furniture out of the garage and hose it off. Now we have outdoor fireplaces and built in BBQs and fire pits. We now want comfortable, durable, good-looking furniture to complement our own style and to really use our outdoor space as an extension of our home.

Today we are going to talk about outdoor furniture. Where does one buy it? How do you know which product to buy? The questions go on and on. Hopefully I will be able to answer some of those questions today.

Comfortable and durable outdoor furniture. Image: Studio McGee

How do you use your outdoor space? Do you need a table and chairs or is a lounge area better for you or do you have room for both?? Do you have storage in the winter months or will it be exposed to the elements all year long?

This outdoor space has it all! Lounging, dining, BBQ, fireplace and entertaining. Best of all it is also under cover. Image: Market by Modern Nest

You can actually find some great comfortable well-made furniture at big box stores. A friend of mine found a great set at a local Superstore in Vancouver a few years back and it still looks good. Usually patio furniture is bought as a set but you can pick and choose your pieces if you like. If you do opt to go this route ensure the chairs are a compatible height for the table. If they are too high or too low you and your guests won’t feel like lounging too long at the table. Also check that the seat is deep enough and the armrest wide enough.

Dining tables are often sold in sets which makes it easy for you to coordinate the look. Image: The House of Silver Lining

Make sure to check the nuts and bolts of the furniture. Are they hidden or capped? Caps are good as they help protect the nuts and bolts from moisture. If they are exposed ensure they are made of stainless steel or rust will become an issue later on.

Outdoor furniture comes in many materials, these chair are made out of teak which are great to withstand the outdoor elements such as the sun and rain. the Image: Black B and design

There are many materials that patio furniture can be made from. Metals-steel, cast aluminum, tubular aluminum, wrought iron. Wood-teak is a good choice and then there are also synthetic wickers that hold up well through the winters as well as resin and vinyl.

Cushions are a great way to add style to your outdoor furniture. You will want an outdoor fabric that will repel moisture such as Sunbrella fabrics. These will also resist fading in hot sun and there are so many options now. I find using a pattern is more forgiving than a solid fabric. Most of these cushions can be left out for the summer but if there is a very heavy rain it is best to try to bring them in so they don’t get water logged.

Umbrellas provide great protection from the sun, but together with lovely outdoor pillows create a welcoming outdoor area Image: Pottery Barn

Umbrellas are a great addition for shade. There are free standing and also ones that go right into the center of the table. Personally, I like the ones that are freestanding as the ones in the middle of the table can block your view of your dining companions.

As you can see there are many questions to consider before purchasing new patio furniture. Take some time to plan your outdoor living to maximize your enjoyment of our short summer. Then once it is all in place, sit back, pour a cold one and enjoy!!