Our deck is “decked” out for summer! See how I created a simple yet comfortable seating area on our deck plus learn some of my tricks for selecting small space patio furniture that lasts for years.
It’s May and we’ve already had a few warm days where the temps reached the high 70s. These spring days are my absolute favorite. The warmth of the sun, the slight breeze, it’s just so comfortable to be outside.
Every year I pull our outdoor furniture out of the shed and thank my lucky stars that it is all still in great condition. I’ve had the same outdoor sofa, woven chairs and coffee table for over 5 years now and they are still going strong.
This year, I’m reusing basically everything, plus a few new fun additions courtesy of QVC.
Here’s what I added for 2023:
New outdoor rug – I absolutely love the print of this rug as it has a faded vintage rug look. Perhaps the best part is how soft it is though. It really feels soft like an indoor rug.
Deck box for storage – I love the size and shape of this small deck box since it fits perfectly next to my outdoor sofa. The flat top is great because it can be used as an end table for drinks or snacks.
Tabletop fireplace – How fun is this modern tabletop fireplace? It uses bioethanol fuel which can be bought on Amazon and simply poured into the reservoir with the burn resistant wool pad. Once lit, it creates the prettiest (and biggest!) flame that just gives the patio so much ambiance.
Our summer deck
Tips for selecting patio furniture that lasts for many years:
Choose metal or resin over wood
While nothing beats the look of real wood, you have to seriously consider your climate before investing in a solid wood table, couch or chair set. Sun, rain, humidity, and sea air can all cause weathering and warping on wood furniture. Metal and resin furniture tends to weather the elements better and is easy to clean at the start and end of the summer.
Also, with metal furniture, it’s super easy to spray paint if you start to see rust appear. I’ve done this to a few pieces of furniture and it has greatly extended the life of the piece.
Select white cushions
It might seem like strange advice since, hello, white shows every stain. However, hear me out on this one! I’ve found that white furniture has been incredibly forgiving because once you wipe up a stain, you can leave the cushion in the sun and the sun will magically bleach the stain out. Let me repeat that – the sun will bleach your white cushions so they will be bright white again. It’s mind blowing!
When selecting wood choose hardwoods
If you do decide to go with wood, choose a hard wood that is found in high end outdoor furniture, like teak. Not only can teak be refinished, it is durable enough to withstand wet weather outside. My current outdoor dining table is teak and I kid you not, is at least 15 years old, maybe 20? It was from Costco originally and my parents gave it to me probably 10 years ago. I’ve refinished it once, but most years I just let it hang out in all its grey weathered glory. It’s still as sturdy as ever, even if it isn’t a bright brown color anymore.
Go for flexibility
Choose items that are easy to move around and will fit in a small space. Choose a couch over a sectional, stacking chairs over large oversized chairs, and small end tables that can be moved around. Not only do these take less space to store, but you have more of a chance of them working in a new space should you need to move or relocate.
Choose quality, but don’t worry about buying the most expensive item.
Look for quality materials and quality construction when purchasing outdoor furniture. Read reviews, look at the materials used and research different types of metals, like aluminum vs. iron, Sunbrella vs. other fabrics.
Use furniture covers and put away fabrics
And finally, to ensure that your outdoor furniture can be used for many years, make sure to buy covers that fit each item and if possible, put away outdoor cushions, umbrellas, and pillows during the harder weather seasons, like late fall, winter, and early spring.
While many of my pieces are no longer available, I’ve rounded up a few similar items that are currently available in stores. Just know that all of these pieces are small space approved and should last for years to come!
1) Metal Patio Loveseat
2) Chair set with side table
3) Ox Bay Faded Turkish Indoor/Outdoor Rug
4) Bistro set
5). Metal stacking chair
6) Faux wood dining table
7) Geometric rug
What I love about all these items is how you can really mix and match to customize your own small patio. I can just picture how cool the dining table + metal stacking chairs + grey geometric rug would look together. And I may be biased, but the woven chair set with the side table is still one of my all time favorite patio purchases.
Let me know in the comments if you have a recent patio find or favorite. I’m always looking for suggestions on must-haves for outdoor spaces!
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