Your outdoor living space is an extension of your home. A patio can give you a nice escape from the outside world where you can enjoy pleasant weather, fresh air, and the beauty of nature. Of course, you need to be sure the patio meshes with your lifestyle and personality. Choosing the right furniture is an essential part of the process. With so many options on the market, though, choosing the right pieces can be difficult. 

It’s important to consider several factors when selecting patio furniture from designers and manufacturers like Forshaw. Those range from the way different pieces look and work together to how they’ll hold up over the long term. Keep the following points in mind to help you style your patio with the perfect furniture for your outdoor oasis. 

Consider Your Space

Before exploring patio furniture and getting your heart set on specific pieces, be sure to take a close look at the space you have to work with. Consider your patio’s size and layout. Measure the space and think about the flow of traffic through it. Keep any built-in features in mind as well, such as columns, fixed seating, or an integral fire pit. 

All those factors will help you determine how much space you have for furniture. It’ll also aid in deciding whether you need large pieces, small ones, or a combination of the two. Remember that trying to pack too much furniture onto your patio is likely to leave it feeling cramped and chaotic. That’ll have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to accomplish. Sometimes, less is more. 

Choose Your Materials Wisely

Materials are another important point to consider. They’ll influence the look of your patio, how much time and effort you put into outdoor furniture maintenance, and how long the pieces you choose will last. They can determine how comfortable your furniture is too. 

Metal furniture offers durability and comes in an array of sleek, modern designs. Aluminum, in particular, is resistant to the elements and doesn’t get too hot. Wrought iron is beautiful and elegant, but it requires more maintenance. Steel gives you a bit of a compromise, but it’s notorious for getting hot, especially in direct sunlight. 

Wood furniture is lovely, and it brings a natural warmth to a space. Teak and cedar naturally resist weather and pests. Wood tends to require ongoing maintenance, but with proper care, certain species age beautifully. Wicker and rattan have a way of giving a patio the look and feel of the islands. They’re quintessential materials for outdoor materials. 

Besides the primary materials of your patio furniture, be sure to think about upholstery. Vinyl and acrylic are the most highly recommended fabrics for outdoor furniture. They resist cracking and staining, and they’re easy to clean. At the same time, they’re less vulnerable to fading from UV exposure. 

Choose Comfort and Functionality Over Appearance

Finally, it’s important to choose pieces for their comfort and functionality rather than their aesthetic appeal alone. Countless homeowners have made the mistake of buying patio furniture based solely on the way it looks. If your outdoor furniture isn’t comfortable or functional, you won’t get as much use out of it. As a result, it’ll end up detracting from your space rather than enhancing it. With so many options at your disposal, you’re sure to find pieces that are comfortable and functional as well as beautiful. 

Creating Your Outdoor Oasis

Styling your patio with the right furniture is about finding a balance between aesthetics and practicality. It’s also a matter of choosing pieces that fit nicely into your space and serve your intended purposes. Take your time, and don’t feel pressured to furnish your entire patio all at once. In some cases, building a carefully curated set of furniture over time is the best approach.