Whether you are getting outdoor furniture for your home for the first time, are upgrading what you currently have, or are just adding a new piece or two, here are 9 things to keep in mind so that your investment doesn’t become a disaster.
1. Don’t buy the cheapest furniture you can find.
If you find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is. Cheap furniture doesn’t hold up well—eventually, someone will sit on a chair and it will fall apart. You don’t want a scenario where you’re enjoying an outdoor meal and then one chair leg gives out, sliding your food onto your patio or deck and serving the insects in the area.
2. Make sure you inspect the legs.
If you are getting a little bistro set for your deck, you need to make sure the chair or table legs won’t slip down into the spaces between your deck planks.
3. Some outdoor furniture may not be good for your outdoor climate!
You need to take mother nature into account when you are getting your furniture. Aluminum furniture may end up in your neighbor’s yard if you are in a place with frequent high winds. Another example: Stainless steel heats up quickly and may not be the best in a desert area. Even treated wood can eventually mold if it gets too wet, so keep that in mind if you are buying wood or wicker furniture for your backyard and live in a rainy area.
4. Watch the location of your firepit.
This one does not require much explanation—in short, be wary of becoming kindling if your chairs’ dimensions make it so that you are sitting too close to your firepit.
5. Don’t forget to measure.
Measure your space first. Additionally, you can even (and should) make a little sketch of the area with dimensions. If you are shopping online, remember to consider the product dimensions and sketch your furniture on the diagram. If you are shopping in-store, measure the furniture with a tape measure to make sure it fits—you can sketch on your diagram, too, to see if there will be enough space for everything. We recommend photocopying your diagram so that you have several blank copies.
6. Keep in mind the body count.
Do you often have friends over for dinner parties or drinks? If you have kids (especially teenagers), will they want to hang out with their friends outside? Make sure what you get will be big enough for the crowd that will be using it.
7. Look at product data.
This is particularly important with outdoor furniture that has fabric. You want fabric with UV protection so that in a few months it doesn’t look like you have had it for years! Fabric fades quickly in the sun.
8. Think about storage.
Getting things that have removable cushions or that can be stored easily during winter or even heavy storms (or if you live in a hurricane- or tornado-prone area) is instrumental for lengthening the lifespan of your new furniture. Getting a shed can be useful if you reside in an area where you will have to store all your furniture for the winter.
9. Think about comfort.
If you are going into a brick-and-mortar store to shop, make sure you try out the furniture. In other words, sit on it to see if it is comfortable. Try to move it if you are in a windy area or will likely be storing things for winter. If you are shopping online, read reviews—multiple reviews, both good and bad. Look for mentions of comfort and durability.
If you keep these tips in mind, you will have a stylish outdoor area you can relax in before you know it!
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