How to Buy Outdoor Furniture

When the weather turns warm and inviting, you want to take it outside. Create enticing outdoor rooms with furniture that not only reflects your style, but stands up to the elements and your family's activities. Different materials require different care and maintenance.

Step 1 Match the furniture to your style, just as you would do indoors. Many styles are available, including traditional English cottage, Italian piazza, French cafe' and modern.

Step 2 Be realistic about your price range. A teak table, for instance, can range from $200 to $2,000 and up.

Step 3 Look at different materials and how they suit your garden and your style. Plastic resin is inexpensive and ubiquitous, and sheds rain easily. Moderately priced cedar furnishings are durable -- rot- and insect-resistant --. They weather to gray, but can be stained or painted for appearance's sake. Teak offers a classic look, turning to a silver-gray when unfinished. Wicker makes for good porch furniture, but can be stored outdoors in the winter. Aluminum is lightweight and rust-proof, but usually the most expensive of the metal furniture. Wrought iron is heavy and strong, and with an epoxy primer, it's rust-resistant.

Step 4 Look for made-for-outdoors seat cushions that resist mildew, sun fading and tearing; filling should be a polyester material that does not absorb water and dries quickly.

Step 5 Try out the furniture before buying. Make sure chairs and benches are comfortable to sit in.

Step 6 Get a large enough table for your needs and space. A 4-foot (1.2 m) round table seats five people comfortably.

Step 7 Add a comfortable seat or two, such as a pair of Adirondack chairs for lounging.

Step 8 Include a classy-looking umbrella for protection against sun and rain, and to string lights in for evening parties.