Patio and Outdoor Furniture - Planning Your Outdoor Room

Here are some basic steps for planning your outdoor space.

Establish your purpose. Whether you want to cook, relax or entertain, keep the requirements and needs in the forefront of your design plan.

Map out your plan. This can be a daunting task, but by using a design software you can determine exactly what you need without guess work. You can even choose furniture styles and plants to suit your needs.

Keep it consistent. Match the style and quality levels of your indoor space design when planning your outdoor space.

Choose your colors wisely. Purchase furniture, cushions, décor and plants in colors that work well together and also harmonize with your home and landscape.

Buy comfortable patio and outdoor furniture. If the furniture is not comfortable you won't want to spend time sitting on it! There are so many options in patio and outdoor furniture that you should be able to find comfort and style in durable all weather furniture.

Personalize your space. You can do this by choosing great garden décor that matches your style and suits your needs. Water features, fire pits and hurricane lamps are just a few ideas to personalize your space and add warmth and character.

When you decide to makeover your outdoor space you'll want to do a little research before you go and spend your hard earned money. I've done the research and want to share with you some conclusions that I've come to.

As with many things in life, sometimes the hardest thing is to just get started. When you feel unsure of what you're doing it's easy to put things off. You can begin your design by thinking about how you want to utilize your deck, patio or garden space. Write down important factors such as the overall style you're interested in conveying, the seating you envision using when entertaining in your outdoor space, and how much maintenance you are willing to do to keep your space looking its best. Measure your space and plot it on graph paper or on your computer using a planning software such as Better Homes and Gardens Deck and Landscape Designer 8.0. Once you have an exciting plan in mind you just have to follow the steps, do one thing at a time, and before you know it you're drinking mojitos with your friends in your beautiful outdoor room.

The most important thing to remember when you choose your patio furniture is the size of your space. If you buy furniture that is too big or small for your area you completely throw off the balance you're trying to achieve. Here are a few guidelines to follow when deciding on your patio and outdoor furniture.

• Measure your space and then decide who will be using it and for what purposes.

• Try to envision the kind of furniture you need with your lifestyle and design preferences in mind. You will want to keep the style of your outdoor space in line with that of your indoor space.

• Research the market for high quality patio and outdoor furniture. Make notes about the things you like or dislike after seeing many finishes and fabrics. Consider which kinds of materials will work well in your environment.

• Be sure to choose all weather fabrics such as Sunbrella when ordering cushions or pillows. You want to make sure that the fabric will withstand the harsh elements, be mildew and UV resistant and easy to clean.

• Be sure to do some preliminary shopping and test out a few different styles. That ultra modern straight backed chair may look sophisticated and trendy, but will it be comfortable seating?

• Check out the available warranties, and maintainance instructions. The furniture you purchase must be durable but also make sure that you can get replacement parts if necessary.

• Remember that when buying patio and outdoor furniture, for the most part, you get what you pay for. Cheap furniture will most likely mean that you'll have to replace it sooner than if you spend a bit more on high quality pieces.

The coolest thing about having a water feature in your outdoor space is definately the sense of relaxation you get when looking at a serene pond or hearing the sound of running water. It is great for stress relief and adds a whole new dimension to your outdoor design. Water features can be as simple or complex as you are willing to maintain.

For more iformation be sure to check out Water Features 101 at HGTV.

• Covent Garden Furniture - Excellent source for all weather/patio furniture.
  

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