Your yard, deck or patio becomes an extension of your home’s living space when you add comfortable, attractive tables and chairs. Outdoor furniture gets exposed to heat, sun, rain and possibly even snow, so it’s built with weather-resistance in mind. However, the quality of the pieces will determine how well they will stand up to the elements. Here are some tips to consider when buying a new patio set for your home. How Many People Will be Using It? Will you be hosting big parties for large groups, or will it just be your family of four hanging out poolside? Stackable chairs are a great option for adding seating when you need it, and sectionals and ottomans can be configured to maximize the space for your guests. How Much Space Do You Have? You’ll want to match the scale of your furniture to the size of the space. A small patio would be best suited by a bistro set or conversation set consisting of chairs and end tables. A large deck, however, may have space for a sectional and a dining set or bar.

Does the Furniture Suit Your Home’s Style? One of the benefits of outdoor furniture is the ability to create nearly any style you wish. Chose colors and styles that complement the rooms inside your home, whether it’s traditional, modern, or even rustic. Most patio furniture is made from wood, wicker, resin or metal. Higher-priced woods like cedar and teak are durable but require regular staining or sealing. Wicker furniture can start to sag over time, particularly when exposed to moisture, but resin-coated woven styles offer the same look in a more durable material. Metal furniture is usually made from steel, aluminum or wrought iron, and will require paint touch-ups to protect it from the elements. Depending on the frame material you choose, your furniture may be painted, sealed, or left to age naturally. Look for materials like cotton blends or ones coated with PVC that are washable, waterproof, and made to resist mildew and fading. Just as with indoor furniture, a thicker cushion will provide more comfort when sitting on a hard chair surface.

Proper maintenance and cleaning will help your outdoor furniture last longer and look better. During spring and summer, a monthly rinse with water should keep it clear of dirt and debris. After a big storm or in the fall, use a sponge and mild soap to give each piece a good scrub. Be sure to let it dry before putting the cushions back on. Patio furniture is built to withstand moisture, head, and UV rays, but ice and snow can cause damage that will shorten the lifespan of your pieces. Protect your investment by storing your furniture indoors during the winter, or wrapping with a quality cover made for storing outdoor furniture. This will help keep the frame from cracking and peeling.‹ Back to Tips & Tools Indoor and Outdoor Living How to Clean Patio Furniture and Outdoor Fabric$45 for $100 Worth of Outdoor Furniture — Bay Area Patio Every local community has a story, a history, and a unique personality that cannot be replicated. This is often thanks to specialized, small-scale businesses, like this one, which contribute to a neighborhood’s distinctive character and promote a thriving ecosystem in their community.

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A masterfully built worker’s table in the French ... A beautiful fretwork gallery surrounds mercury glass shelves ... In a throwback to a 1950s design, this ... Capture the Widest View Positioning an outdoor room against the house isn't always the best choice, especially if a section of your home or plantings obscure your yard's most expansive view. Instead, locate sitting areas so they provide a clear view of your yard's longest dimension. 10 ideas for functional outdoor living spaces. How to Paint Flower Pots Watch and learn how to turn ordinary clay planting pots into works of art with masking tape and spray paint. Pieces with thin frames and petite bodies make a small space feel roomier. Compact bistro sets are perfect for a garden corner or porch. Built-in benches can multitask by maximizing seating and storage in a minimal space. Also, comfy outdoor living requires shade, so make sure to include a sun umbrella, canopy, or pergola above any seating area.

Build your own outdoor furniture. Keep the Color Palette Simple Keep the outdoor decor and container plantings simple. Having too many accents and different types of plants can make a small space feel disorganized. Select a few colors and accessories and carry the theme from room to room. Get quotes for landscape, deck or fence projects. An intriguing architectural detail, such as a trellis, arbor, or statue, at the end of your property adds an instant attention-getter, taking the focus away from the yard's small proportions. See unique trellis designs. Lighting plays a major role in how a space feels, so incorporate both task and ambient lighting to create the mood you want and to provide the amount of light you need. Money-Saving Tip: Rather than purchasing expensive lighting that requires installation, light your deck with affordable candles, torches, or solar lights. You can tuck them into planters, hang them from latticework, or install them around the perimeter of a deck so they won't take up much space.

Add a Change in Elevation Steps or small platforms are a subtle way to create multiple outdoor rooms in a tight space. Increase the visual separation by changing flooring materials between rooms. Choose the right decking material. You might not have room for a fire pit, but you can still give your outdoor room a cozy ambience with a tabletop fire bowl. DIY Project: To make this bowl, place a 13-ounce can of clean-burning gel-alcohol fuel in a 10-inch-diameter terra-cotta container. Surround the can's bottom and sides with recycled glass. See a variety of outdoor fireplaces. Keep an outdoor structure uncovered to increase the sense of space. Instead of draping a pergola in climbing roses and vines or closing it in with walls, keep it open so the space feels bigger and yard views remain intact. Don't have the space or budget to include a pond in your backyard? Add the pleasure of sound and motion to your outdoor room with a tabletop fountain. Money-Saving Tip: Outdoor sound systems are also a great way to bring soothing sound into your outdoor room, but consider a portable music player that won't cost any money to install.