How to Buy Patio Furniture

Imagine relaxing in the comfort of your own backyard, sitting pretty in a classic lawn chair or sprawling on a garden chaise. Shop smart for patio furniture, and you'll be ready for casual entertaining and spur of the moment patio picnics.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gliders
• Patio Benches
• Patio Chairs
• Patio Lounges
• Patio Tables
• Baker's Racks
• Patio Furniture Cleaners

1. Look at the empty space on your patio, deck or out in the garden. Begin to develop a vision of chairs, benches and tables with your lifestyle in mind.

2. Measure the space and consider who will use it and for what purposes. A quiet reading nook needs different furniture than a place to host your son's baseball team.

3. Survey what's available in quality patio furniture: Surf the Internet, check decorating magazines and visit local shops. Make notes about materials, colors and styles you like.

4. Check warranties, care instructions and necessary maintenance of materials. Be sure the furniture you choose is durable and that parts will be available when you need them.

5. Decide what works for you; that's simply a combination of your wants and needs. And don't forget accessories such as side tables to hold cool drinks or a baker's rack for potted plants.

6. Know that materials convey style: Wrought iron seems Victorian, but other metals lend a 1950s retro mood. Wicker is romantic, wood feels warmly rustic and resin plastic speaks of a no-nonsense practicality.

7. Choose fabrics treated with water and stain repellants or treat them yourself before using. Plan to clean and retreat fabrics annually.

8. Keep budget in mind, but shop for value over price. Flimsy materials, complicated assemblies and delivery hassles can be costly in the long run.

9. Look for bargains in floor models, discontinued styles and pieces with minor scratches or dents at reduced prices. Consider sets that are missing a piece that you don't need or can supply, such as chair cushions.

10. Try before you buy; check out the styles you like to be sure you'll be comfortable in them. Sit on benches, loll on the chaise lounge and pull chairs up to their table to make sure you'll be comfortable all summer long.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow at least a foot of floor space around each piece to avoid a crowded look and 2 feet for traffic flow paths.
• Check that all hardware is brass or galvanized to prevent rust. Repaint wood and metal as needed to forestall weathering and rust.
• Store all patio furniture covered in winter, preferably in your garage or basement.
• Treat a small fabric section first, before using water and stain repellants on whole cushions.

[noahwill]

on 5/5/2009 This is very helpful. We just purchased some patio furniture from www.familyleisure.com and they have a huge selection. Thanks!

[Lakelyf]

on 6/23/2008 This was very helpful and my patio looks great. I purchased everything on line at www.ewins.com. They were very helpful and got me the measurements I needed. A plus.

[Lakelyf]

on 6/23/2008 This was very helpful and my patio looks great. I purchased everything on line at www.ewins.com. They were very helpful and got me the measurements I needed. A plus.

on 11/22/2005 Getting the best deal on patio furniture involves much more than just getting the best price. To get the best overall value for your patio furniture dollar, you should consider these other criteria as well: cost of shipping, speed and reliability of shipping, money back guarantee, privacy policy, secure shopping cart, patio furniture product line, and credibility of the patio furniture merchant. The cost of shipping is (or should be) a big concern of patio furniture shoppers. Make sure you consider shipping cost when comparing what one outdoor furniture store is offering as compared to another. Another factor related to shipping is speed and reliability. If one Adirondack furniture store offers shipping of their Adirondack chairs at a lower price than another, make sure you know what company is doing the shipping and the expected time to deliver. It's not really a bargain if you have to wait 2 months to receive your Adirondack chair, even if the price is lower. If the cedar patio furniture store uses a well known, established shipper, like UPS, you should be fine. And what about a money back guarantee? Make sure there is one, just in case. It's no bargain if you pay less for a cedar picnic table that isn't guaranteed. If you are ultimately unhappy with the picnic table, you've wasted your money. Another factor that is sometimes overlooked by patio furniture buyers is an Adirondack furniture store's privacy policy. Of course, it's only indirectly related to getting the overall best deal on patio furniture, but it is worth noting. Make sure any store that you deal with guarantees to keep your information 100% confidential. Even if you are happy with your Adirondack chair, you don't want to end up dealing with SPAM for years afterward. And speaking of an aftermath, never deal with a cedar patio furniture store that doesn't provide a 100% secure shopping platform (SSL). It's not a deal if your credit card information is captured by hackers who may use your information to make fraudulent purchases. Check the cedar patio furniture store's web page. Another consideration that is often overlooked in considering the best value is the depth and width of the Adirondack furniture store's product line. It's rare that a cedar patio furniture shopper buys just an Adirondack chair. In future, you may want to buy a picnic table, porch glider, porch rocker, Garden arbor, or garden bench. It helps if everything goes well together.

When you find the cedar patio furniture store that best satisfies these criteria, you've found your best value!