When you get to live in a climate that has more time available to spend outdoors, you likely take advantage of it. Out here in the southwest where I live, we get to spend a lot of the year outdoors. And, besides the middle of the summer days, it is really enjoyable. There is nothing quite like entertaining friends and family guests outdoors, sitting on the patio furniture, heels kicked up enjoying the stories, laughter, good food and fresh air. You can enjoy more times like these beneath your custom created covered patio structures.

In fact, this is what has created such a demand for outdoor living spaces these days. There has never been a more popular time to bring the traditional indoor home elements outdoors - like an outdoor kitchen or living room. Outdoor spaces have been popular options as far as patios go for quite some time. Covered patios are common in ranch style homes. However, the style of cover is usually a bit less than ideal when it comes to the outdoor living space type of ideals.

Most people are looking for that open feel when it comes to their outdoor room - that is exactly why they want it out there. If it was a ceiling and solid walls you wanted, you would just stay inside, right? There are, however, really exotic looking outdoor spaces that incorporate themes inspired from other countries or cultures. Some of these inspired themes are Asian-Japanese Zen garden type of spaces. These often have very simple lines with solid colors and nice features. Another popular theme is a Balinese look with darker woods and brighter colors like orange and purple. The Moroccan lounge style with a low flat bed-sofa and lanterns hanging overhead is also a style on the move.

Teak wood and other local hardwoods from the regions mentioned above help to create the feel you are looking for. This helps to keep the theme coherent, rather than haphazard and thrown-together looking. While this type of eclectic look can work, you have to know what you are doing with design. Missing the common elements and bringing the whole theme together with unifying elements is key to this type of patio design. In the end, your outdoor space should both reflect your personal taste as well as plans for use. This way, you will be able to be comfortable and feel natural in your space and help to create a sense of ease and excitement in your guests.

The smartest thing to do before you even put any cushions on your patio set is to treat it with a weather sealant. This ensures that you will have much more life out of the wood patio furniture. Cedar, redwood and teak are all naturally suited to age well with the weather. In fact, they develop a nice grayish color and even more subtle hues of their original colors as they are exposed to sun and rain.  One more obvious way is to keep them beneath a covered patio, like a pergola or gazebo.

However, if you really want your furniture to last, you will take the extra time effort it requires to add a weather resistant coating. This is well worth the slight amount of down time required to let dry fully. After it is completely dry, you can put your new patio cushions on, and sit in relaxed comfort. You'll be relaxed not only because your sitting on some cushioned chairs but also because your mind will be at ease knowing your big investment will be protected. If you follow the manufacturer's instructions, you will likely need to reapply depending upon weather and other elements to maintain the look and protection of your furniture.

This is a little subtly that is often not addressed by the larger cushion manufacturers and is something I found a bit confusing. That is, what is the difference between a patio cushion and a chair pad? The answer, as it turns out, is dependent on who you ask. Dang it! Well, most major brands and companies will use the term pad for referring to just the portion of the pad that you would sit directly on. When the notion of a seat cushion or chair cushion is raised, in the context of the patio set itself, it then becomes clear what is being referred to. Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules to this. If you see the term pad used, that particular company may be referring to their most luxurious style of chaise lounge cushion - it just doesn't come across that way. That is exactly the problem, I believe - it isn't standard terms.

It isn't like this some type of major discovery but it may help you to find more specific guidance to your patio seating needs. Remember, if you have any questions, the online retailers will be happy to answer them. Most respond quite quickly and have operators that are trained to answer the details of many common questions. As you can tell from your searches, there is probably more than you first thought about when you went out to simply get some new cushions (or pads).