8"Tips"for"Choosing"Outdoor"Furniture"Great"outdoor"furniture"brings"comfort"and"function"to"your"outdoor"spaces."With"a"spacious"table"and"easy=to=use,"comfortable"chairs"a"basic"brick"patio"is"transformed"into"a"sensory=rich"dining"destination."Outfit"a"cozy"porch"with"a"wicker"sofa"and"a"classic"wicker"rocking"chair,"both"stocked"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"outdoor"furniture,"these"petite"garden"getaways"will"beckon"you"outside"time"and"again."

Check"out"the"following"tips"for"choosing"the"best"outdoor"furniture"for"your"space."Thoughtful"planning"will"ensure"that"your"outdoor"living"space"is"inviting"for"years"to"come."

1.!Make"a"List"

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Begin"by"thinking"about"how"you"would"like"your"outdoor"space"to"function."Would"you"like"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?"

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."If"the"primary"function"of"your"12x16=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."

2."Take"a"Seat"

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Take"a"seat"before"you"buy."Comfortable"outdoor"furniture,"just"like"interior"furniture,"will"be"used"regularly"as"opposed"to"uninviting"outdoor"furniture,"which"might"have"good"looks"but"not=so=good"comfort.""

3."Go"for"Easy"Care"

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Reserve"the"bulk"of"your"garden=side"hours"for"enjoying"your"space"as"opposed"to"maintaining"furniture"when"you"purchase"easy=care"outdoor"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.""

4."Consider"Storage"�

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Add"years"to"the"life"of"your"outdoor"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"it"is"placed"in"storage"when"not"in"use."If"your"storage"space"is"limited,"look"for"outdoor"furniture"that"folds"or"is"easily"taken"apart"for"compact"storage."

5."Color"Smart"

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When"purchasing"outdoor"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."For"stylish"longevity,"reserve"bold"splashes"of"color"for"cushions"and"accent"pieces.""

6."Invest"in"Quality"

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The"old"adage""you"get"what"you"pay"for""is"true"for"outdoor"furniture."Plastic"wicker"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.""

7."Look"Underfoot"

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Ground"outdoor"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." ""

8."Search"for"Dual=Purpose"Pieces"

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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.""

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