Outdoor living is a way of life in Australia, especially during the warmer months. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a patio space that’s designed for alfresco dining in the summer, we can’t get enough of combining entertainment with the great outdoors! But - how do you choose furniture that will meet your needs while also being able to withstand any weather condition?
From outdoor tables and outdoor sofas to fire pits for cosy nights spent with friends, your choice of furniture should reflect your personal style as well as be functional, comfortable and practical for an outdoor living space. Read on to discover how to choose the best furniture to create an outdoor area that you’ll love to spend time in all year round.
Choose Your Patio Furniture Based On Functionality & Purpose
The best place to start with outdoor furniture is to consider how you will be using the space. Ask yourself these questions:
- How often will I be entertaining in the outdoor dining area?
- How big is my outdoor space?
- How many people are likely to be using the space each time?
- Do I want to lounge and relax in the space, serve food and drinks or both?
If you plan on wining and dining your guests in a more formal environment, you’ll need to have a dining table big enough to accommodate everyone as well as dining chairs. An outdoor dining set from Amart is a handy way to get everything you need in one purchase with 3-piece outdoor settings and up to 9-piece outdoor settings to suit every occasion. If you fancy having a few drinks and snacks with friends where conversation is a priority, consider arranging loungers and outdoor sofas around a fire pit for a casual setting you can enjoy any season.
Think about buying functional outdoor furniture that serves more than one purpose. An ottoman can be a good place to put your feet up but it can also serve as a comfy seat for extra people. An adjustable table will let you extend it to fit more guests and an outdoor lounge can be used for relaxing with a book or enjoying nibbles and drinks with friends.
Choosing Furniture That Fits Your Outdoor Space
The size of your outdoor space will largely determine the type of furniture you place in it. For small spaces, you’ll need to get savvy about maximising the available area. Stackable dining chairs are a great way to increase floor and storage space and can be put away after each use without taking up a lot of room. If you can’t fit a full dining set into your patio, an outdoor bistro furniture set or coffee table with dining chairs is a great alternative.
For larger patio areas, a dining set with tables and chairs will give you the perfect place to enjoy meals outdoors with company. Daybeds, outdoor sofas, armchairs and ottomans can also be used to extend your entertainment space and can be used for relaxing and conversation.
Start by measuring your patio and backyard so that you know exactly what will fit before you purchase. By visiting a furniture store like Amart, you can get tips and advice from furniture experts to help you choose which piece of furniture will work best in your outdoor space.
Select Outdoor Furniture Pieces That Suit Your Style
It’s not all about practicality when it comes to outdoor patio furniture - it’s also about style! A beautifully designed alfresco area should reflect your personal taste, from the colour palette to the textiles and materials used throughout the space.
Consider using a popular interior design style to help you choose pieces of furniture that complement each other and the space. Think:
- Mid-Century Modern
- Bohemian
- Industrial
- French Country
- Minimalist
- Scandinavian
- Coastal
You’ll also need to think about using high-quality materials that will stand up to the weather and the test of time. Rattan pieces are strong and water-resistant making them perfect for outdoors and ideal for a coastal or Hamptons style. Teak furniture is super popular for patios as it’s incredibly durable, performs well in rain or sun and warms up an outdoor space. Wrought iron furniture exudes elegance while being sturdy and stainless steel furniture is rust-proof while lending a modern aesthetic to any outdoor living area. Powder-coated steel is even more resistant to weather and time.
Bringing Your Exterior And Interior Together
An important part of interior design is ensuring that all of the rooms flow and harmonise with each other. This also extends to your outdoor spaces. There are a number of ways that you can bring the outdoors in and the indoors out to achieve the right balance. Check out our tips below:
- Use plants. Greenery is one of the best and most popular ways to blend your interior and exterior spaces. Fill your patio with lush plants and flowers, then bring a touch of nature indoors by strategically placing plants around the home. They can be small succulents, leafy palms or bunches of flowers displayed in pretty vases.
- Consider the colour palette. By using the same colours inside as outside, you are immediately creating a more cohesive and harmonious aesthetic for your home. If the living room is full of rich tones like brown, orange and mustard, extend this to the patio furniture. It can be a mustard cushion placed on the daybed, warm brown outdoor side tables to match the coffee table or vibrant red lounge chairs to match the chaise inside.
- Pick an accent colour. This is one or two colours that you can use inside and outside to add a pop of contrast here and there. It may be shown in the colour of the shutters, the mouldings, an accent wall, the cushions, wall art, rugs and more.
- Use similar textures. If you have a sleek and modern home that uses a lot of glass, shiny metal and smooth surfaces on the inside, reflect this on the outside. If your interior is full of shaggy rugs, soft throws, wooden furniture and plush cushions, extend the look to the patio.
- Lay down some rugs. An outdoor rug is a fabulous way to bring a touch of indoors to the outside. They make patio floors soft and comfortable for kicking off shoes and walking around barefoot. Choose indoor and outdoor rugs in similar colours and textures to maintain cohesion.
Consider Quality And Comfort
The best outdoor furniture will combine high-quality durability with ultimate comfort to give you and your guests the perfect setting for entertainment. Outdoor patio furniture, such as outdoor lounges and armchairs, should be soft to sit on while being made from high quality materials to keep them in top shape for years to come. It’s important not to underestimate quality when it comes to furniture that will always be outside. Each piece needs to be durable enough to withstand rain, sunshine and other elements throughout every day of the year.
Consider Furniture That Offers Storage Options
It’s important to think about how to protect your outdoor furniture during off-season months when you may not be using your patio as often. Try moving your furniture into a shed or a basement when it’s not in use to prolong its lifespan. Stackable chairs and furniture that folds are great for when you are short on storage space.
You can keep your outdoor dining areas clean and tidy by investing in patio furniture that has storage options. Choose side tables, coffee tables and other small tables that have shelves or drawers for storing little accessories such as bottle openers, scissors, pens, and more.
