Living Well At Home

Finding Your Outdoor Style: How to Choose the Right Patio Furniture for Your Home [2022]

Choosing a new outdoor furniture set is exciting. You have the opportunity to completely revamp your patio or design a look you’ll love for the very first time. The other side of the coin, however, is that you may not know exactly where to start. Pinterest, Houzz, your favorite blogs, style-savvy friends – they all have good advice, but it may not get to the heart of your questions. How do you find outdoor furniture ideas that will meet all your needs? Here, we’ll take a look at some key considerations with examples of outdoor furniture that can help you create the perfect patio escape.

Sizing Up Your Patio Furniture

A lot of us dream of a spacious deck with room for all our friends and family to socialize and relax. Some are fortunate enough to enjoy that sort of space, while many have a little less room to work with. Fortunately, the success of your patio furniture layout depends more on understanding the available space than how much is usable. As a good rule of thumb, always leave ample room to walk around furniture without bumping into it or needing to squeeze by.

Move good times outside with a 14-piece outdoor sectional seating group with cushions.

Larger areas offer a lot more flexibility. You might wish to create distinct dining and socializing areas or place grouped seating around a pool or fire pit. In these situations, larger pieces and sets are a great way to fill the space and accommodate larger gatherings. This 14-piece seating group offers an excellent example of larger-scale outdoor furniture. Thanks to a convenient modular design, it can be placed in a many different configurations. If you love hosting big parties but treasure quiet conversations among them, it’s easy to create smaller seating arrangements that let several friends or family members gather for a chat.

This 5-piece conversation set with cushions gives you a comfortable place to unwind.

For a more compact solution that’s anything but small on style, consider a smaller, but still roomy, seating group. Seating for five accommodates family fun nights outdoors and casual gatherings without overcrowding your space.

How Will You Use Your Patio Furniture?

The way you spend your time is a great indicator of the outdoor furniture you’ll enjoy most. It sounds simple, but if you’re unaware of the variety of patio furniture available, you may find yourself with a set that, while beautiful and durable, doesn’t quite meet your needs. To avoid this pitfall, see which of these profiles best describes you.

The Home Chef

You’re the master of the grill and known around the neighborhood for your amazing baked treats. Cooking is fun for you, not a chore, and entertaining means sharing your best dishes with the ones you love.

An outdoor dining set with a long rectangular table and eight chairs all in dark brown wicker on a patio next to a green tropical garden.
The long rectangular dining table and chairs from the kathy ireland® Homes and Gardens River Brook collection provides ample room and space for get togethers.

Your Patio Furniture Pick: Look for a long table with plenty of room for all your best dishes – and hungry guests! You’ll enjoy a dining table and chairs like the kathy ireland® Homes & Gardens River Brook 9 Piece Patio Dining Set with 2 Armchairs and 6 Armless Chairs with Cushions. Sleek resin wicker, comfortable cushions, and a variety of fun colors make it easy to dine in style all summer long.

The Host with the Most

Game nights, wine tastings, holiday bashes – you’re always inviting family over for a get-together, and your place is the official party destination in your friends group. No matter the occasion, you have décor, a playlist, and everything else needed to make it a night to remember.

A bar height outdoor dining table with four stools with backs in a light beige wicker on a patio next to a pool.
Elevate your outdoor space with a bar-height table.

Your Patio Furniture Pick: Mingling makes a party great, so your outdoor furniture should encourage visitors to get social. To give guests a spot for their drinks and snacks as they chat, place a bar-height table (or two!) on the patio. Then, create a separate seating area with a mix of chairs, sofas, ottomans, and accent tables to inspire guests to linger.

The Lazy Days Lover

When you love your home, you never want to leave. Your happiest days are laidback ones spent with family and close friends, and all you need to have fun is a good book, some music, or a relaxing movie night.

A patio furniture set with navy cushions and a light gray wicker weave on a patio next to a house with white siding and a built-in fireplace in a stacked stone wall.
A modular seating set can be combined any way you want it.

Your Patio Furniture Pick: Get comfy with sectional seating that can be configured exactly how you like it. A cozy, cushioned mix of sofas for curling up together and chairs and ottomans for stretching out will make it easy to relax and enjoy the summertime weather. And don’t forget storage – you’ll love your space even more with a storage chest to keep it clutter-free.

The Perfect Patio for Every Homeowner

In the end, the best patio furniture is defined by pieces that fit your space and your lifestyle. It should make you feel good every time you sit on your deck or dine al fresco. Need more ideas about styling and enjoying your outdoor furniture? Sign up for the Twin Star Home® newsletter for tips and inspiration.

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