All-Weather Furniture

Should you spring for a family vacation, or does it make more sense to redesign your outdoor space and purchase some new patio/outdoor furniture?

With the prices of gas and milk hovering around $4 per gallon, it's easy to understand just how the word "staycation" has become a regular part of our vocabulary. The costs of travel have made it nearly impossible for many of us to take our well earned family vacations this year, but that doesn't mean we have to suffer at home.

This may just be the perfect time to consider refurbishing your outdoor space. While spending less than you would on a family vacation, you can improve your patio or deck area and make a great investment in your home that will last for years to come. With all the new looks in durable all-weather furniture that are available in today's marketplace, you can turn your space into just about anything you can imagine.

There are so many options available! One can find everything from all-weather wicker, teak or cast aluminum furniture to trendy plastic, in styles to fit every budget. Spaces can be transformed into outdoor living rooms with the addition of a beautiful fire pit and deep seating cushioned sofas that are comfortable and easy to clean with water and a soapy sponge. Or, you may prefer something a little more "city" like a bistro set where you can serve up the the mojitos with style. Whatever you want to do in your space, there are wonderful options out there for you.

Three major considerations when planning your outdoor space:

1. The size of your patio/deck area

When planning your outdoor space you should always take into consideration the size of your area. Make sure to measure or graph out your sitting area before you purchase furniture. When measuring the space needed for a round or square dining set, keep in mind that a seated adult usually requires a depth of about 20 inches with an additional 12-16 inches more to pull back the chair. Rectangular tables require an additional 4 inches, or 24 inches per adult and 32-36 inches to pull back the chair. If you have walls or barriers you will want to leave at least 44 inches between the table and the barrier.

2. The way you wish to utilize your outdoor area

Visualize what you want to do in your space. This sounds very elementary, but if you think about it enough you may come up with something very different from your original idea. That little deck that holds the ping pong table could actually turn into an outside bedroom for sleeping under the stars. You may just want to keep it simple with a dining set and 4 chairs, or you may want to make it a comfy outdoor living room. Think about how you plan to entertain, and decorate accordingly. If you just want to have a place to read a good book and sip coffee you may want to go with a couple of chaise lounges with a small table in between. If you wish to entertain family or friends you should consider the size of the "usual" crowd, how many chairs you think you'll need, and whether you prefer a modular unit with coffee tables or a dining set. If you think of this area as a place to have parties you may want to consider adding a bar area or bistro seating. If you have ample room you might consider an outside kitchen/grilling area so that you have everything on hand and don't have to run back and forth when entertaining.

3. Consider the climate in which you live

Climate can make or break your patio/outdoor furniture, especially if you live in humid or cold conditions. My recommendation for poolside will always be sling seating. It's comfortable and isn't going to soak in moisture like deep seating cushions will. There's nothing worse than plopping down on a wet chair! Sling seating dries quickly and lasts for many years. If you love your cast aluminum set and get tired of the sling fabric, they are relatively easy to replace, so you can change the whole look of your furniture. Deep seating options are probably the most comfortable choice, but also take a bit more maintenance, and aren't really the best choice for a humid environment as cushions that never dry can mildew even if the fabric is mildew resistant. Plastic pretty much works in any environment and lasts as long as you treat it with care. Wood furniture, especially teak is beautiful and generally lasts for years. Teak does requires a bit more maintenance as it goes grey with age, especially if you live in a climate with harsh winters. Some folks find that lovely, others, myself included, prefer it to have that nice warm reddish brown look. After a good cleaning, teak oil will help to maintain your wood. Just be sure to get the teak oil from a marine shop as that is generally where you'll find the highest quality oil.

In this video, Steven and Chris discuss many excellent options for outdoor spaces. This is an informational and thoroughly entertaining video that delves into all weather fabrics, cushion storage options, outdoor rugs and all sorts of other fabulous furnishings.

Don Zeman gets back to the basics of how to start building on your outdoor entertainment area without running to the bank for a loan. Great information here!

One of the latest trends in outdoor seating is what you might call "a blast from the past".

I remember when I was a kid asking my parents for a new bean bag chair every Christmas. Luckily for us, those of like mind have created a new improved version of the old favorite that is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Outdoor bean bag chairs are a great option if you're looking for modern cozy style and would like to be able to use both inside the home and out. Many folks are using these as stable seating for boats as well as patio, deck and pool areas. These comfortable pear shaped chairs are covered in durable Sunbrella fabric so they are tolerant of UV rays, heat, moisture etc. They are double stitched for durablilty and are filled with recycled polystyrene beans. They have a locking zipper and are made in the U.S.A. I can just imagine stargazing in my back yard with my sweetie and a glass of wine. What a great idea!

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