With the summer of 2023 right around the corner, Bergen County residents are outside enjoying their patios and outdoor living spaces for dining, entertaining, or simply relaxing.
Great patio furniture can add an entirely new dimension of comfort, function, and style to your outdoor spaces. A basic brick patio is transformed into a sensory-rich dining destination with a spacious table and easy-to-use, comfortable chairs. Outfit a cozy porch with a wicker sofa and a classic wicker rocking chair, both with ample cushions, and the porch will quickly become a second family room during the warm weather months.
Don’t overlook the outdoor-living opportunities on balconies and in-pocket gardens. When complemented with the right patio furniture, these petite garden getaways will beckon you outside time and again.
Choosing the Best Outdoor Furniture for Your Home
How can you be sure you’re making the right decisions and purchasing the perfect outdoor furniture for your home? Check out the following tips for choosing the best patio furniture for your space. Thoughtful planning will ensure that your outdoor living space is inviting for years to come.
- Make a List
Begin by thinking about how you would like your outdoor space to function. Would you want it to serve as a dining area on warm summer nights? Would you like to host your next dinner party or your daughter’s birthday party in the space? Is a peaceful reading nook more of what you’re looking for in your outdoor room?
If the primary function of your 12×16-foot patio is to host casual evening cocktails, there is no need for a dining table. Opt for ample comfortable seating, several side tables, and a fire pit. Make a list of the many things you would like to do in the space and use it as a guide to determine what type of furniture is necessary.
- Take a Seat
Take a seat before you buy. Comfortable patio furniture, just like interior furniture, will be used regularly instead of uninviting patio furniture, which might have good looks but not-so-good comfort.
- Go for Easy Care
Reserve the bulk of your garden-side hours to enjoy your space instead of maintaining furniture when purchasing easy-care patio furniture. Most metal, teak, cedar, and all-weather wicker pieces are unfazed by whatever nature throws their way. Furniture made using these forgiving materials will look wonderful for years.
- Consider Storage
Add years to the life of your patio furniture by storing it in a protected location, such as a garage or basement, during the off season. Even the toughest furniture, such as teak chairs or a wrought-iron settee, will last longer if placed in storage when not in use. If your storage space is limited, look for patio furniture that folds or is easily taken apart for compact storage.
- Color Smart
When purchasing patio furniture, you’re not limited to the natural tones of wood; the black, white, and beige of wicker; or metal pieces. Colorful finishes abound in the world of outdoor furniture—Reserve bold splashes of color for cushions and accent pieces for stylish longevity.
- Invest in Quality
The old adage “you get what you pay for” is true for patio furniture. Plastic resin chairs or side tables look great on the shelf and will keep their good looks for a year or two out in the sun, but in time they will become brittle and lose their vibrant coloring. The same is true for some wood products and wicker pieces. Shop with care, checking consumer reports and reviews before making a big purchase.
- Look Underfoot
Ground patio furniture by placing it on an all-weather rug. Textile advancements in recent years have brought many quick-drying outdoor rugs to the market. Soft underfoot and rich in texture, an outdoor rug will lend the comforts of indoors to the great outdoors.
- Search for Dual-Purpose Pieces
Look for hardworking furniture. An ottoman that doubles as extra seating for your next backyard bash and a simple bench that will stand alone or cozy up to an alfresco dining table are essential for frequently used outdoor spaces.
Before deciding on the perfect outdoor furniture for your home, visit Down to Earth Living for a vast selection of award-winning outdoor furniture at one of the region’s largest nursery and garden centers.
Down to Earth Living’s 10,000 square foot showroom features a wide variety of creative outdoor furniture vignettes and an impressive selection of contemporary, classic, traditional, and transitional teak, aluminum, and all-weather dining and deep seating furniture from many of the most trusted manufacturers in the business.
The friendly, experienced team at Down to Earth Living is ready to help you navigate the many available options at their spectacular showroom as you select the perfect patio furniture for your home and budget, which will be enjoyed for years to come.
Down to Earth Living is located at 1040 Route 45, Pomona, New York. The business is a short distance from Bergen County and an easy trip from Routes 9W, 17, the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the Garden State Parkway.
Visit www.dteliving.com for news and special events happening at Down to Earth Living.
Helpful Tips for Planning and Designing Your Bergen County Backyard Oasis!
