Did you know that 86% of Americans have some sort of outdoor living space, whether it’s a patio, porch, deck, balcony, or garden?
There are a lot of important elements to a perfect outdoor space, including lighting, decor, landscaping, and, of course, comfortable outdoor furniture.
What should you look for when buying outdoor furniture?
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know to make your outdoor space as relaxing and comfortable as possible.
Take the Weather Into Account
When you’re buying outdoor furniture, you need to think about the weather in your area. This is because the elements can degrade your furniture.
If you live in a hot, dry climate, wood furniture could splinter and crack. If you live in a windy place, lighter aluminum furniture might get blown around. If you live in a wet environment, wicker furniture won’t last too long.
Consider the Size of Your Space
When your focus is comfortable patio furniture, you still need to take practical factors into consideration. No matter how comfortable your outdoor furniture, you won’t feel comfy if it’s awkwardly crammed into too small of a space.
You’ll want to use the principles of traffic flow that you use when determining your furniture layout indoors.
Whether you end up with small deck furniture or lavish outdoor lounge chairs, you’ll want the furniture to fit well in the space and not be too cramped.
Decide Where You’ll Place Your Furniture
Everyone’s backyard or patio is a little different. You’ll want to ask yourself a number of questions to decide where to best play your comfy outdoor furniture, such as:
- Will the furniture sit on a hard surface like a paved patio or wooden deck or on grass and soft ground?
- Do you have overhead covering or will your furniture be exposed to the elements?
- Will you need an umbrella or an awning to provide some shade?
The best furniture to buy for your outdoor space will depend on where you’re placing them. If you’re putting outdoor furniture on the grass and exposed to the elements, you’ll need more durable furniture than if they’ll be on a patio under a roof.
Think About Material
What’s the best material for patio furniture? Like many things in life, it depends.
When thinking about furniture, you’ll want to take into consideration how it looks, how comfortable it is, how much care it requires, and the weather.
Certain materials require minimal care, like teak, resin, or aluminum. Check out the beautiful and comfortable outdoor lounge chairs available at Teak and Table.
Focus on Comfort
Now we can finally get to what you’ve been waiting for. Comfort!
The whole point of an outdoor living area is to have a place to relax and unwind. If you’re outfitting your backyard with stiff plastic chairs from a big box store, you likely won’t get this effect as much as you’d like.
Just because a material is built to withstand the weather, doesn’t mean it has to be uncomfortable.
Consider getting some recliners, rockers, or chaise lounges to max out your comfort outdoors. It’s a good idea to try out furniture before buying it, to get a sense of how comfortable it really is. You can even add hammocks or daybeds to your outdoor space to stretch out and relax.
Remember, a part of comfort is psychological. It’s great to have comfortable outdoor furniture, but don’t forget about the other features that contribute to your sense of relaxation.
Consider adding some glowing outdoor lights to make your space feel more magical. Also, when picking out your furniture and decor, don’t forget about the way that color can impact your mood, behavior, and feelings.
Lastly, don’t forget about adding some greenery to your outdoor space. Whether you invest in some serious landscaping or have a few potted plants, adding some life to your backyard can make a huge impact on how cozy it feels.
Consider Your Budget
At the end of the day, your budget has a big impact on what you can and can’t buy. While most of us don’t have an unlimited budget for things like outdoor furniture, you still want to buy the best patio furniture you can afford.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider checking out thrift stores or yard sales. Or you can update old patio furniture by changing the cushions and pillows.
Have Storage Space
Unless you live in a paradise where it’s neither too hot nor too cold, too humid nor too dry, you’re going to want some storage space to store away your furniture. When the weather gets cooler and you’re not enjoying your outdoor space regularly, put your furniture in storage to elongate their lifespan.
Even covers for furniture aren’t adequate sometimes. This is particularly true for certain materials such as wicker.
If you don’t have storage space, consider buying something that you could use indoors during the winter. Another thing to consider is purchasing foldable outdoor furniture that won’t take up as much space in storage.
Buying Comfortable Outdoor Furniture Can Make Your Yard a Much More Desirable Place to Be!
Particularly these days, when many people are staying home much more often than normal, it’s essential to have a nice spot to get some fresh air. Outdoor spaces are a great place to spend quality time with your family, read a good book, or relax after a long day of work. How you outfit your outdoor space is integral to how you’ll inhabit it, so it warrents quite a bit of consideration.
Did you find this guide to comfortable outdoor furniture helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more informative articles!
