Do It Yourself Backyard Landscaper

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By: John Radcliffe

You’re all set to go out and buy that set of new patio furniture. Checkbook in hand, you set out, only to find out when you are in the showroom that there are a bewildering array of choices - and confused, you leave without buying anything. Sound familiar? If so, then why not use our simple 3-step approach ?

What’s step 1, you say? Well, here it is (ta-da): Choose Your Location. What do I mean by that? Simply this: THINK about where this furniture is going to go. Will it be used exclusively outside? Or will it also be used indoors, such as in a sunroom or playroom? And if you will need to move your furniture - how far will you have to move it, let’s say, to put it into storage for the winter? Could you really lift and carry it all that distance?
The answers to all of these questions will determine the size as well as the type of the furniture that you should select. For example, if you will need to carry or move your patio furniture yourself, you will need to buy something that is a little lighter. If you are going to leave your patio furniture outside all year, then it needs to be made of really durable materials.

But there’s more: If you are buying patio furniture, just how much room do you have there? Don’t overbuy on furniture - you will end up with too many pieces, and your patio area will be very crowded with all of that furniture jammed in too tightly. Buy what you need, but not more than you need, or what your patio area can comfortably hold.

Step 2 is equally as simple: Choose Your Furniture Pieces. As amazing as it might sound, all outdoor furniture can be placed in one of three groups: tables, seating and recliners. Given your patio location and it’s size, what pieces do you need? As well, you can also buy many different accessories: pillows, outdoor lanterns, grills, swings, even outdoor bars for that outdoor party you’ve been wanting to host.
The basic rule of thumb: buy quality patio furniture, not cheap junk. Buy less, not more. Make sure that everything matches. Make sure that your furniture is the proper size and weight.

Step 3 is the last: Choose Your Materials. You will have several choices to make here, also. Natural products look great. Some require regular maintenance and repair though: will you be able to devote the time to doing that? You can buy something like Teak, which will weather beautifully, but it is more expensive. Patio furniture made out of synthetic materials is far less expensive, and requires less maintenance, but be careful: the quality can vary enormously. Even metal frames can rust or corrode - so you see that there is really no one ‘best’ type of material - it is a trade-off, and you must weigh the pros and cons of using each type before making your selection.

So there you have it. First, choose your location, next consider the pieces that you will need, and then choose your materials. Simple enough? Now you’re ready to hit the showroom floor!

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About the author: John Radcliffe offers his expertise on home repair and Outdoor Wicker Furniture Learn all aboutPortable Charcoal Grills by visiting his website.