How to Choose the Right Patio Furniture and Accessories for Your Home

A patio is a great space for entertaining or simply relaxing. Whether you want to host catered soirees or enjoy the sunshine on a leisurely summer day, it’s important to plan for the best patio furniture and accessories.

The first step is to take accurate measurements and draw out a floor plan. This will help you avoid purchasing furniture that doesn’t fit.

Flagstone

Natural flagstone offers a distinct look to outdoor spaces, whether it’s installed in a walkway or patio. It is available in a variety of earthy colors, textures and patterns that create one-of-a-kind visual appeal.

Qualified flagstone professionals lay the stones on a layer of sand or crushed gravel, which is called dry-laid stone. It’s a bit more labor-intensive than mortared flagstone, but the finished product is stronger and more durable.

The installation process begins with clearing the area and preparing the surface for the base material. Typically, a 2-4 inch layer of compactable base material is laid over the excavated site and tamped with a plate compactor.

Pavers

Pavers are a cost-effective option that offer many design choices. They can mimic rustic slabs, quaint cobblestone or sleek slate and come in a wide range of colors. They are also easy to clean, stave off mildew and mold and resist cracking from frost heaving and water seepage, which can happen with cement slabs.

Paver base panels replace a layer of gravel and help prevent settling and frost damage. They require less labor than other paving materials and have built-in holes for drainage.

Paver patterns include checkered, herringbone and basket-weave. Repeating pavers throughout a backyard creates a seamless transition between different garden areas.

Tiles

Tile is an excellent patio material that combines the best of all worlds: it’s durable enough to handle kids, pets, dropped dishes and weather elements, yet comes in a dazzling array of colors, styles, materials and textures.

Look for glazed or unglazed tile rated for outdoor use, which will resist water, fire, staining, scratches and other abrasions. Consider textured tiles with slip-resistance to reduce the risk of falls. Think about light exposure; bright sunny spaces call for lighter tiles to open up the space, while shady or dark patios can work with darker tile. Some stone tile options, such as limestone, are also suited for patios but can be vulnerable to chipping under heavy furniture.

Concrete

Concrete patios have a timeless, classic look that works well in many yards. Unlike paving stones, they’re durable and resist changes in humidity and temperature that can damage pavers. Concrete can also be poured into any shape, which makes it easy to accommodate backyard space restrictions or incorporate attractive curves.

Mix your own concrete if you’re building a small patio to save money. You’ll need a wheelbarrow, a shovel, and enough bags of concrete mix to fill your excavation area. To help prevent cracking, mark off areas where you want to cut shallow grooves called control joints. You can purchase reinforcing fibers to add to the concrete mix or have them added to ready-mixed concrete.

Wood

A wood patio is a natural and traditional option for your outdoor space. It is easy to customize with paint or stain and can withstand weathering.

A deck is a raised structure that can be a few inches above grade or several feet when supported by joists or concrete pillars. Decks may require a permit while a patio typically does not.

Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar are popular options for wood patios because they look attractive, are affordable and naturally resistant to moisture and pest damage. Both are also easily refinished with paint or stain as your tastes change.

Metal

Stainless steel is a premium-priced material that’s well known for its durability, temperature stability and lower maintenance requirements compared to other metal options. Its resistance to corrosion makes it an excellent choice for patio furniture, particularly in damp environments.

Aluminum is also a popular option for patio furniture. Its light weight and durable construction make it easy to move around and reposition without risk of scratching floors or tearing grass.

Like stainless steel, aluminium is corrosion-resistant and offers a sleek modern look. Its color varies and can be stained or treated to match outdoor decor. It also tends to be less expensive than wrought iron.

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