Creating a new space and choosing new furniture can be a lot of fun. How pieces fit together with relation to the space they’re in sparks that imaginative designer in us all. That goes for both the inside and outside of your home. When it comes to outdoor seating, start by understanding the vibe you want. Imagine what pieces of furniture fit that feeling. Then start asking yourself some of the important questions:
- Will you often have a lot of guests or will your patio mostly seat your household members?
- Will pets be on your furniture?
- Is your outdoor space covered or open to the elements?
- Is there a favorite piece of furniture you have to have out there?
Ask yourself as many questions as possible. Then start planning.
Measure and Compare
From your self-Q&A you now have a solid general sense of your wants and needs, and, hopefully, you’ve already started to put your list of furniture together. Now measure your space. One good exercise is to make a “scale model” of your patio, porch, or deck. All you need is a large piece of construction paper and a ruler, both of which you can get at any general home store like Target or Walmart.
Once you draw out the dimensions of your patio (sixteen feet can be sixteen inches, etc.), you can either cut out pieces of paper for your furniture or lightly draw them in with pencil. It will give you a good idea of how things will look. Does everything fit comfortably? What stays and what goes? Or, conversely, can you add furniture?
No matter what type of seating you choose, it’s smart to purchase quality pieces that will last for years and to invest in patio furniture covers to protect those items during heavy weather, the off-season, or when otherwise not in use. Now that you’ve made a list of what you need out of your seating, how much seating you want, and you’ve measured your space, let’s take a look at types out patio chair seating.
Chaise Lounge: The Ultimate Relaxation Chair
A chaise lounge is great for relaxing and putting your feet up. Typically these chairs are seen poolside but if you have the space for it, a pair of these together are great near an outdoor fire pit or you can add one onto a larger seating set. When it comes time to cover it up for the off season, you’ll want to get a specially made chaise lounge cover that fits properly.
Glider Bench or Swing: Great for the Whole Family
These are a great seating option – especially for families – as they can easily seat 2-3 people. If your patio isn’t already covered, you can typically find porch swings with a cover attached as well. Add cushions and pillows to make these match the rest of your decor.
Hammock: A Nap’s Best Friend
A traditional hammock can take up quite a bit of space considering it only seats one person, but if you have the space, there’s no better way to relax. If you don’t have the space, look for newer styles that hang like a suspended chair from a single hook in a support beam. They’re fun, comfortable, and easy to take down and store.
The Backless Bench: Versatile and Doubles as Storage
These are extremely versatile. For a deck or patio, you’d typically go with a wooden bench. It can be sat in facing either direction and there are options with storage compartments that can hold extra pillows or outdoor items that you’d like to keep tucked away. It can also be easily moved out of the way when not needed. No matter the size and style, you can get a custom cover to fit whatever you choose.
Rocking Chair: A Classic Staple
Everyone loves an outdoor rocking chair. If you go this route, get something sturdy that will last for years to come. Throw on a few cushions and this will be the comfiest seat on the patio.
Stackable Chairs: Something for Everyone
If you only occasionally have extra guests, you may opt to buy some stackable chairs. Get a few extra-comfy seats for you and your other household members and some additional stacking chairs for when guests come by or when you have a party. To keep those extra chairs dry and ready, it’s smart to use stackable chair covers.
Adirondack Chairs: Cozy and Fashionable
These wooden chairs are so simple but also very unique looking and comfortable. They come in an array of colors making them the perfect way to add a pop to your deck or patio. They do sit quite low to the ground which could make them difficult for some older people to get in and out of, so keep that in mind when shopping.
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