What do you call outdoor tables?

Great patio furniture brings comfort and function to your outdoor spaces. A basic stone patio can be transformed into an alfresco dining destination with a spacious table and comfortable patio seating. Outfit a porch with a wicker sofa and classic outdoor rocking chair, both topped with plush cushions, and it can quickly become a second family room during the warm weather months. Small spaces such as balconies and pocket gardens will beckon you outside when complemented with the right patio furniture. Use the following tips to choose the best outdoor furniture for your patio. Thoughtful planning will help make your backyard your new favorite spot for lounging, dining, and entertaining.

Edmund Barr

1. Make a List of Patio Furniture Needs

Begin by thinking about how you'd like your outdoor space to function. For example, do you want it to serve as a dining area on warm summer nights? Do you plan to host your next dinner party or your child's birthday party in the space? Or do you envision a peaceful reading nook with comfy and welcoming patio seating tucked into your outdoor room?

Make a list of the activities you'd like to do in the space and use it as a guide to determine what type of patio furniture is necessary. For example, if the primary function of your 12x16-foot patio is to host casual evening cocktails, there's no need for a dining table. Instead, opt for ample comfortable seating, several side tables, and a fire pit.

Dustin Peck

2. Try Patio Seating Before You Buy

When shopping for patio chairs and sofas, take a seat before buying. Patio furniture will likely be used regularly, especially during the warmer months, so it's essential that the seating is comfortable. You and your guests will be less likely to enjoy your patio if it's outfitted with uninviting furniture. Look for pieces with backs and plush cushions on the seats or cozy up metal and wood furniture with fluffy pillows for the utmost comfort. Make sure all fabrics are weather-resistant to prevent color-fading or mildew growth.

Brian Gomsak

3. Go for Easy-Care Outdoor Furniture

Reserve the bulk of your outside hours to enjoy your living space instead of maintaining the furniture. Search for easy-care patio furniture to minimize the need for upkeep. Most metal, teak, cedar, and all-weather wicker pieces can stand up to whatever nature throws their way. With a bit of regular cleaning, furniture made using these forgiving materials will look wonderful for years. You can also accessorize patio furniture with outdoor cushions and pillows with removable covers that can be easily tossed in the washing machine.

Kritsada Panichgul

4. Consider Storage for Your Patio Furniture

Add years to the life of your patio furniture by storing it in a protected location during the off-season. A garage, basement, or shed will shield pieces from the elements to prevent damage or additional wear. Even the toughest patio furniture, such as teak chairs or a wrought-iron settee, will last longer if it's placed in storage when not in use. If your storage space is limited, look for patio furniture that folds or can be easily taken apart for compact storage. Stackable chairs can also help maximize storage space when patio season ends.

Edward Gohlich

5. Match Colors to Your Outdoor Decor

When purchasing patio furniture, you're not limited to neutral colors or the natural tones of wood. Wicker, wood, and metal pieces now come in a wide variety of colorful finishes. Look for furnishings that play up colors found in your landscaping, your home's exterior, or your other outdoor decor. A DIY paint job can quickly perk up patio furniture with any hue if the right color isn't available. Reserve bolder tones for cushions and accent pieces. These items will likely be used less often, resulting in less wear, and are less expensive to replace.

Victoria Pearson

6. Invest in Quality Patio Furniture

The old adage "you get what you pay for" is generally true for patio furniture. Plastic resin chairs or side tables, for example, might look great on the shelf and will keep their good looks for a year or two out in the sun, but in time they'll become brittle and lose their vibrant coloring. The same is true for some wood products and wicker pieces. Shop with care, checking consumer reports and reviews before making a big purchase. If you're sticking to a budget, plan to splurge on items that will be used most often, such as comfortable patio seating or a durable dining table. You can save money on smaller accessories such as pillows and accent tables.

David A Land

7. Add Outdoor Rugs for Color and Comfort

Ground patio furniture by placing it on an all-weather rug. Textile advancements in recent years have brought many quick-drying outdoor rugs to the market. Soft underfoot and rich in texture, an outdoor rug will lend the comforts of indoors to your patio or deck. Choose a color and pattern that coordinates with your other furniture and decor to tie your outdoor space together. Make sure it's rated for outdoor use before buying.

8. Search for Dual-Purpose Patio Furniture

Look for hardworking furniture to make the most of your space and budget. Pieces that serve multiple purposes can eliminate purchasing additional furniture and leave more room for your favorite outdoor activities. For example, an ottoman or garden stool can double as extra patio seating for guests. A simple bench can stand alone or cozy up to an alfresco dining table. Choose patio furniture with function in mind to take full advantage of frequently used outdoor spaces.

Furniture specifically designed for outdoor use

Garden chairs and table, England

Garden furniture, also called patio furniture or outdoor furniture, is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. It is typically made of weather-resistant materials such as aluminium which is rust-proof.

History

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Sketch from the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat, September 27, 1896. Women relax in garden furniture.

The oldest surviving examples of garden furniture were found in the gardens of Pompeii. Around 1840, Janes, Beebe & Co. produced one of the earliest products of mass-produced cast-iron seating manufacture in America.[1]

Types of furniture

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An area of typical patio furniture, including umbrellas, in Taiwan, 2007

• Wooden furniture
• Bamboo furniture
• Wicker or rattan furniture
• Metal furniture
• Plastic furniture
• Glass furniture
• Table
• Rope furniture

Seating

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Garden furniture is often sold as a patio set consisting of a table, four or six chairs, and a parasol. A picnic table is used for the purpose of eating a meal outdoors. Long chairs, referred to as chaise longue, are also common items. Recently seating furniture has been used for conversation areas using items like couches.

Temperature control

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The British 'garden parasol' or American 'garden umbrella' is the term for a specialised type of umbrella designed to provide shade from the sun. Parasols are either secured in a weighted base or a built-in mount in the paving. Some are movable around outdoor tables and seating, others centred through a hole mid-table.

Patio heaters are used to enable people to sit outside at night or in cold weather. They can be permanently mounted on eaves and patio roofs, or portable and self-supporting. They can operate on electricity, propane, bottled butane (small units), or natural gas. The latter can be plumbed into permanent locations or attached to 'quick-connect' outlets.

Modular outdoor fire pits and portable fire bowls have become widely available in many materials to extend outdoor living. The tall clay Chimeneas of North America are an example.

Accessories

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Current garden accessories include items like birdbaths, plant stands, planter boxes and trellises to add detail to an outdoor space.

Materials

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Green plastic garden furniture, Czech Republic, 2009

The most commonly sold types of patio sets are made of plastic, wood, aluminium, wicker, and wrought iron.

Wooden garden furniture can suffer through exposure to the elements and therefore needs to be periodically treated.[2] Teak is a commonly used material for outdoor furniture. It naturally contains silica, which makes it resistant to fungal decay, many of the effects of water (such as rot, swelling and warping), as well as chemicals. It is also resistant to fire, acid and alkalis.[3]

When teak weathers it loses its original look but gains a majestic, almost silver glow. Many owners prefer the aged look of teak and because of its resistance to rotting and infestation, it can be appreciated without upkeep. Aluminium garden furniture is robust and long-lasting. However, if the protective coating is compromised it will corrode. Plastic garden furniture is naturally waterproof, so it can be left out year-round. Waterproof outdoor furniture pieces are usually made of materials such as Mahogany, Teak, Cast Aluminum, PE Wicker, Plastic and PVC Wicker.[citation needed] These materials are durable and can withstand the elements of wind, rain and sun exposure.

Wicker outdoor living furniture was originally made from the stems of any one of 600 species of palms found in tropical regions all over the world. The palm stems were tightly woven into interlocking panels, and formed into the desired structure. Now, most modern wicker furniture is made from synthetic resin, increasing the life expectancy and reducing manufacturing costs. Today's resin furniture is often made of recycled plastic and incredibly durable, usually carrying warranties of 20 years or longer. It can be moulded to resemble real wood or wicker.

See also

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References

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