How to Buy Patio Furniture

If you're in the market to buy patio furniture for the upcoming summer season, chances are you've narrowed down some of the basic requirements for your project. For example, you might know that you want to go for an angular contemporary look vs. a traditional Cape Cod look. You also know that you want to buy an outdoor patio set to enjoy meals with instead of random accent pieces for your yard. You also probably know whether or not outdoor furniture cushions will be part of the scheme.

The following guide addresses some of the overlooked elements of buying patio furniture that you must consider before handing over your credit card number.

A surprising number of people eyeball their space and figure that an outdoor patio set for eight will fit there because the space seems so large. True, your deck may be large enough to hold a table for 8 and its accompanying chairs, but what about moving around the table once everybody is seated? True you might be able to pass your plate down to the person closest to the barbecue to get another slice of steak, but what if you have to go to the bathroom?

Make sure you measure your space then get the dimensions of the sets you're interested in. You want at least 30" (2 1/2 feet) around the perimeter of the table. That should allow enough space for diners to maneuver around one another comfortably. If your family and friends are larger than average, then make sure to allow for extra room.

Remember that you won't be the only person moving chairs around. Sometimes what seems light to us, does not allow others the same level of mobility. Make sure the weight is reasonable. Clearly you don't want something so light that it will blow over every time the wind blows or cause little ones to fall on their heads when they might be playing a little rough, but you don't want something that it limits people's independence.

Also, if you have any arthritic relatives or friends, make sure that the chair back is relatively large for them to hold onto. Small pipe-like chair backs are hard to grasp when your hand doesn't work optimally, so look for chairs with large slats or an open area at the bottom of the seat back, that will allow grandma to move her chair with ease.

Many of the choices available today are fairly easy to clean, but think about what would be most adaptable to your lifestyle. For example, you might buy wrought iron outdoor furniture that says it has a rust-proof paint on it, but that doesn't mean you should leave it outdoors to battle the elements all year long. If you don't think you'll remember to store it or cover it before the first snow, then it probably isn't a good choice for you.

If you want to go for a more environmentally conscious look such as a cedar or teak patio set, then make sure you realize it will not look the same from year to year. These types of wood actually withstand the elements quite well (although I would still cover or store them in winter to optimize life), but they will change in color gradually over time turning to varying shades of gray. They may also require occasional sanding and oiling to remove any dirt that may become ingrained in their surface.

Lower priced outdoor patio sets often do not carry a warranty, but that is not to say that you won't have it for a few years. With proper care, you probably can keep one thriving for the better part of a decade. But if you purchase a set that you plan to hand down to your children, make sure that it will be replaced should any problems arise. Typically a good warranty will last from 3 for resin to 15 years for aluminum depending on the materials from which the set is made. Some wooden outdoor furniture even comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Make sure you understand the terms of the warranty before you buy patio furniture.