Designing outdoor living spaces: Outdoor furniture for your space

by Carolyn Andrews 04/14/2024

When it comes to enhancing outdoor living spaces, outdoor furniture choices can make all the difference. But what is the best way to choose outdoor furniture?

With so many variables and options involved, selecting the perfect furnishings can seem like an ordeal. Luckily, there are some simple ways you can get started.

Here is a guide to help you choose the best outdoor furniture:

Start with the necessities

Before you get carried away with design ideas, take a moment to consider your list of must-haves for your outdoor space. To begin, think about what activities or purposes you want your outdoor space to serve.

Do you want to have an outdoor dining area for entertaining guests? Or would you prefer to make a private, cozy place for solo relaxation? These questions can help you figure out what outdoor furniture should be at the top of your list.

For example, an outdoor dining table and set of chairs is a perfect starting point for designing an entertaining space, while luxurious lounge chairs might be better suited for a personal zen oasis.

Opt for easy-care materials

Choosing the right materials for your outdoor furniture is crucial to keeping your outdoor upgrade budget-friendly in the long term. Easy-care materials like metal, teak, cedar and all-weather cane or wicker are great choices for outdoor furniture that will last the test of time and weather.

For fabrics, pick cushions with removable covers you can easily place in the washing machine. You can also use moisture-resistant and weather-treated fabric options to help prevent mildew.

Want to shield your furniture from the rain or harsh sun rays? Add a stylish patio umbrella made to withstand the elements to preserve your outdoor seating and more.

Ultimately, your outdoor space is yours to design as you wish. However, knowing how to decide on the right outdoor furniture will jumpstart your design project and help you show your personal style. Whether you want to gather around a fire pit, share delicious meals with an outdoor dining set or curl up with your favorite book in the shade, the right furniture will make all the difference.

About the Author
Author

Carolyn Andrews

Carolyn Andrews has over 30 years licensed Brokerage experience in both California and Colorado. Born in England, Carolyn moved to California in 1980, then relocated to Denver, Colorado in 1991. Carolyn has also received recognition for Top Sales at RE/MAX Alliance Aurora in 2007-2008 and is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Chairman’s Club, as well as a recipient of the ReMax Lifetime Achievement Award. Carolyn has sold over 2000 homes personally in her career. Carolyn has been actively involved in many aspects of the Real Estate business including investment property, luxury homes, mountain resort property, skiin/ski out, REO/default management, loss mitigation, valuations, and disposition. She has been a speaker and panelist at several conferences and has been consulted on many occasions by various organizations in the REO/financial industries for her expertise and served on many boards. She has attended numerous ongoing classes to stay abreast of changes in the ever-evolving Real Estate industry. She is the prior State Director for Colorado for VAREP(Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals). She is a member of 3 boards of Realtors including Metro Denver, Colorado Springs and Summit County mountain areas. She heads up The Andrews Group and is or has been an active member of NAR, CAR,REOMAC, CIPS, CRS, AREAA, NAPW, NAHREP, and is an original member of the ELITEReal Estate network. She was ranked #1 for most homes sold in Denver 2007 by Denver Board of Realtors, #2 for 2008, and #2 for 2009, #5 in 2010 and #4 in 2011 and has been consistently in the top 10 ever since. Carolyn Andrews has been a top rated Endorsed Local Provider for the Dave Ramsey Organization and also a Top Producing agent for 2018 for the Homelight Company.