Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet
- Credit card
- Measuring tape
- Paper
- Pen/pencil
- City code manual
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Step 1
Know what you’re looking for in patio furniture. Make a list of all the things that you need. What do you use your outdoor space for? Is it an extension of your house? Is it three-season accessible and winterized or is open and available only in the summer? Do you entertain a lot or is it mostly for the family? Is it a quiet space or a place for entertaining? The answer to all these questions will help you decide what you need. If you never eat on the patio, you wouldn’t want to buy a table that takes up half of the space there. Consider what you use it for and buy accordingly.
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Step 2
Find your furniture. Be patient and give yourself plenty of time to search. Scour well-known home furnishing brand catalogs--the pictures will be bigger and more accessible than the online versions--and write down the catalog number so that you can search for it online once you've found something that you like. Check discount sites like Overstock, Amazon and Bluefly and look for vintage and used furniture on eBay.
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Step 3
Plan ahead. If you want to order new outdoor furniture for the summer, start looking in the late fall and winter, when patio furniture is more likely to be on sale.
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Step 4
Take proper measurements. There is nothing worse than buying an expensive, large piece of furniture online only to receive it and find that it doesn’t fit. Make sure to take proper measurements for the area you want to put the furniture as well as the doorways and openings it must go through to get to its final destination. Patio doors, especially, are typically smaller than most doors, so take these measurements into special consideration.
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Step 5
Measure several times. You cannot take measurements too many times. Measure once, twice and then measure it again. Write down your measurements on a piece of paper and keep it handy. Once you have taken all the measurements, allow someone else to measure it as well. Double check your measurements, comparing them to the dimensions of the product you are buying, before finally placing your order.
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Step 6
Check if assembly is required. Check the specifications of the furniture you are purchasing. If there is moderate to full assembly required, make sure you have the proper equipment. You don’t want to buy an affordable slab of marble for your outdoor kitchen cabinets only to discover that you’re responsible for cutting and fitting it to size. Assembly requirements will also determine whether you can get large pieces through smaller door openings.
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Step 7
Qualify your specifications. Make sure that what you’re buying works in the environments you are planning to put it in. If you’re buying a hanging swing for the porch, you need to make sure that your roof is capable of supporting the weight required for hanging it. If you’re buying a pool umbrella for your patio, you need to make sure that there aren’t any city electrical codes that require it to be a safe distance from hanging wires. Take even the little things into consideration when making big purchases.
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Step 8
Request color swatches. Actual colors can be conflicted by computer monitors and lighting, so request color swatches for the pieces you like and have them sent to you before you decide on a piece. You don’t want to order an olive green chaise pad for your olive green sun chair, only to receive a kelly green material that clashes with the very chair you were trying to match.
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Step 9
Look for classic pieces. Get the most for your money by purchasing pieces that will stand the test of time. Personalize your space by adding current and trendy touches with accessories, like pad covers, pillows and candles. There was a time when tri-tone vinyl loungers were popular and look how that turned out. Classic pieces will always be classic, so buy what you like, but buy what you know you’ll still like five years down the road.
