Unilock Thornbury paver patio with Rivercrest retaining wall. Products available for Fishkill, NY patio designs. Photo, Unilock.com.
So you’ve reached the stage where patio furniture is something that needs some consideration. It has to look the part, convey your personal sense of style and design while still remaining functional and suitable to the area it will be placed in. It is, after all, a truly important element to finishing off your Fishkill, NY area patio design. You want to entertain guests, have the family over for a Sunday barbecue, and Uncle John’s little cousin will also be tagging along. Things to consider when heading out to furnish your patio include seating requirements, lounging spaces, dining in comfort, necessary storage, and, of course, longevity of the materials from which the furniture is made.
Rivercrest retaining wall product with outdoor chair. Photo Unilock.com
DESIGN AND FUNCTION
First off, let’s consider design style and the element of ‘looking the part.’ When applying the inside-out trend, you’re looking for something that has similar or complimentary design elements to your home’s interior. The goal is to create an easy transition, almost a flow if you will, from the inside of your home to the patio area. Apart from the actual layout and traffic flow, this can also be achieved by choosing furniture and décor items that draw the eye toward the patio; stunning planters, a sun umbrella, or a custom pergola will all have this effect and invite guests to visit the outdoor living spaces.
Another important aspect to consider is ergonomics. You want the furniture you purchase to be comfortable, so be sure to look for items with similar ergonomics than that of your favorite indoor lounge chair, that dining chair you can spend hours in, or the bar stool you watch the game from. Like any other investment, test the items before you purchase, sit on the chair and sling your arm over the backrest, lie back in the lounger and imagine the sun on your face.
WHAT ARE NEEDS?
Next up, think about what you need to make your experience outside a comfortable and memorable one? What purpose do you need the outdoor furniture pieces to serve? Do these items need to be purely functional or decorative as well? Take for example the amount of people that you typically entertain. If you hold large gatherings, then you will want to appropriately size the furniture to accommodate such demands. There are options on the market for outdoor furniture that can be arranged into different configurations and layouts. This can be helpful if most of the majority of the time, you require an intimated outdoor room style couch and fire pit setting, but on occasion you will want to open that same couch set up to be more inviting for guest to take a seat.
MATERIAL CHOICES AND MAINTENANCE
Lastly, consider what material choices are best for you. Here, you’ll want to take into consideration longevity as well as style. While you are sure to find a suitable design in almost all materials, maintenance is something to keep in mind. When purchasing steel pieces, look for powder coated finishes or if it’s spray painted, that it has a heat-cured sealant. Aluminum can be anodized to many colors, is lightweight, long lasting, and can be rolled and bent into almost any shape. When choosing moulded plastics or fiberglass pieces, look for something that complies with local recommended UV ratings. Remember that timber and other natural materials will need maintenance and care to protect from the elements over time.
When it’s time time to choose patio furniture for your Fishkill patio design, consider these few principles as they will save you time and effort. Allowing you and your guests a comfortable and memorable experience outside is the purpose of great outdoor furniture, as well as to compliment the interior of your home in not only design, but also in ease of living.
