How to Choose the Right Outdoor Furniture (For the Look You Want)

Decorating your patio, porch, or sun deck is similar to planning an interior room scheme.
It all depends on the look you want-do you like casual country, upscale elegance, romantic, or contemporary? Do you prefer wood, metal, plastic or wicker?
Whatever you choose, go for the best material you can afford (the higher the price, the better quality and the longer your furniture will last).
If you're on a budget, just try to acquire one or two pieces at a time. And all of them don't have to match!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your present or current porch furniture or one or more new furniture pieces
• Optional items:
• Awnings
• Washable pillows or rugs
• Artwork
• Tablecloths
• Trays
• Chairs

1. 

   Look For Soft Or Contoured Seating For The Most Comfort-You'll want: Lounges at least 28" wide and 60" long to accomodate the average adult. Roomy dining chairs should be 18" wide and 23" deep. For a sofa, the cushions should be 30" deep and 22' deep for an armchair.
   Regulate Natural Light By Observing Where And When The Sun Hits Your Outdoor Area, Then Choose A Patio Umbrella, angled over a dining table or seating area to block off sun. Also consider retractable awnings to shade larger areas during hot spells, and trees, fences and tall shrubs for added appeal and filtering sunlight.
   Add Some Favorite Indoor Objects (as long as they're weather-resistant).
   Patterned Washable Pillows Or Rugs can provide indoor appeal and warmth. Artwork always adds a nice accent. Pottery, candles and trays are good tabletop accents.

2. 

   Oak or teak (hardwoods) can be expensive; Consider Pressure-treated Pine Instead (It has all the warmth of hardwood, but costs less).
   When buying wood furniture, check to see that joints are connected with sturdy steel hardware.

3. 

   You Can Tell High-Quality Wicker By Its Weight. Good pieces will not only feel heavier, but will also have a frame that's reinforced with wood. And look for joints that's connected with screws, rather than nails.
   Screws keep wicker furniture from becoming rickety.

4. 

   Plastic Outdoor Furniture Withstands The Weather Best. It's also the easiest to keep clean-just wipe it with a damp sponge. For quality, look for a smooth, shiny surface. A gritty, porous surface will gather dirt easier.

5. 

   Metal And Wrought-Iron Furniture Tends To Be Pricey, But Will Last A Lifetime (if maintained properly). To prevent rust, this material can be spray-painted.

Resources

• ehow Home and Garden Topic Guide