How To Choose The Right Outdoor Furniture

Patios, decks, and other outdoor spaces naturally beckon to us, especially when the weather gets warmer. And, when properly appointed, they add to your home's living space and set the backdrop for fun and relaxation. So, when shopping for outdoor furniture, it's important to consider several factors, such as functionality, comfort, and materials, in addition to basics like cost and size.

Buying outdoor furniture involves a similar process to buying indoor furniture, but the outdoor environment comes with some special considerations.

Outdoor furniture

How To Choose The Right Outdoor Furniture

1. Make a List of Patio Furniture Needs

Begin by thinking about how you would like your outdoor space to function. Do you want it to serve as a dining area on warm summer nights? Do you plan to host your next dinner party or your child's birthday party in space? Or do you envision a peaceful reading nook tucked into your outdoor room?

Make a list of the activities you would like to do in the space and use it as a guide to determine what type of patio furniture is necessary. If the primary function of your 12x16-foot patio is to host casual evening cocktails, for example, there is no need for a dining table. Instead, opt for ample comfortable seating, several side tables, and a fire pit.

How To Choose The Right Outdoor Furniture

2. Know Your Materials

Outdoor furniture manufacturers use a wide range of durable materials, most of which fall into two groups: those that are meant to be impervious to the elements, maintaining their original appearance for many years, and those that will weather or develop a patina over time.

Based on your use, location, and weather, some materials are going to be better than others for frames, upholstery, and tabletops. Extreme heat can cause untreated woods to splinter while plastic can become brittle and crack in the cold. Rain and salt air can cause the uncoated metal to rust and humidity plays havoc with natural wicker.

Lightweight aluminum or acrylic furniture may blow over in high winds and many fabrics will fade under the harsh sun. Our Outdoor Furniture Materials Guide provides an in-depth look at many materials and their ability to withstand various conditions. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but it’s important that you understand the tradeoffs from the outset.

Just because you find it in the outdoor furniture section doesn’t mean it’s right for your outdoor situation or climate. Do your homework and make sure the material you choose suits the weather in your region and the level of exposure to the elements (will the furniture be in the shade or protected under a roof or in direct sun?)

Fall Decor Outside Front Porches Metal Table Legs

Draco Metal Legs and Bench Legs for Patio

3. Consider Storage for Your Patio Furniture

Add years to the life of your patio furniture by storing it in a protected location during the off-season. A garage, basement, or shed will shield pieces from the elements to prevent damage or additional wear. Even the toughest patio 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 patio furniture that folds or can be easily taken apart for compact storage. Stackable chairs can also help maximize storage space when patio season ends.

outdoor furniture

4. Invest in Quality Patio Furniture

The old adage "you get what you pay for" is generally true for patio furniture. Plastic resin chairs or side tables, for example, might 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. If you're sticking to a budget, plan to splurge on items that will be used most often, such as a comfortable patio chair or a durable dining table. You can save on smaller accessories such as pillows and accent tables.

Metal Table Legs for Outdoor Seating

Wishbone Metal Legs

Metal Table Legs for Your DIY Projects

Wishbone Metal legs and bench legs

5. Some chair legs are too skinny for decks

Before we bought a house with a yard, we lived in a small rental that had a wood deck. It was our first bit of outdoor space and we loved it, dressing it up with planters, a Weber grill, a lounge chair, and a vintage dining set that we scored at a garage sale.

The set was charming and well-made, but the legs on the chairs were skinny, which meant they could easily sink into the gaps between the deck’s wooden planks. We had to be vigilant about placing the chairs just so and constantly had to remind guests to do the same - not exactly the best setup for spontaneity and fun.

If you’re shopping for an outdoor dining set for a wood deck, consider the chair legs and make sure they won’t get trapped in a gap when you pull the chair out.

Steel Bench Legs 16 Inch High

Uzar Metal Bench Legs/ Coffee Table Legs

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, spending time outdoors should be enjoyable and stress-free. The furnishings that you surround yourself with should add to and not detract from the experience.

Sure, there may be freak tornados or random raccoon migrations through your property, but for the most part, you know what to expect. Taking this knowledge and arming yourself with a little insight from this guide can help you choose the right kind of outdoor furniture for your home.

You can browse our furniture store to view more Flowyline Design. For more information, please Contact Us here.

If you want to customize the metal legs to suit your tabletop or your bench, we're ready to help you. Live chat with us or leave your email for a 3D drawing.

How- to

Featured products

Bench Legs 119 Cleo - 10W, 16H inch - Set of 2 pcs of FlowyLine Design for DIY furniture dining home decor epoxy woodwork metal table legs furniture steel coffee table handmade home decor side table steel handmade furniture modern bench for entryway narrow wood bench metal legs for benchBench Legs 119 Cleo - 10W, 16H inch - Set of 2 pcs of FlowyLine Design for DIY furniture dining home decor epoxy woodwork metal table legs furniture steel coffee table handmade home decor side table steel handmade furniture modern bench for entryway narrow wood bench metal legs for bench
Sale price$236
Gold Table Legs 119 Cleo 16H Luxuriou... Only 10 units left
Console Table Legs 211 Cleo 28H Unique Design Furniture Legs console table legs metal legs for console table console table metal legs console table legs metal metal console table legs console table iron legs legs for console tableConsole Table Legs 211 Cleo 28H Unique Design Furniture Legs console table legs metal legs for console table console table metal legs console table legs metal metal console table legs console table iron legs legs for console table
Sale priceFrom $230
Console Table Legs 211 Cleo 28H Uniqu... In stock, 126 units
Metal Table Legs 506 FarasMetal Table Legs - 506 Faras - 12W, 28H inch - Set of 4 pcs table furniture legs dining table kitchen and dining office desk farmhouse table large dining cast iron hallway farmhouse furniture wood steel desk legs industrial & rustic style heavy duty flowyline design
Sale price$258
Furniture Legs 506 Faras 28H for Dini... In stock, 50 units