Groundhog Day is past, and that means spring is on the way. As signs of warmer times begin to appear, you may be yearning for evenings on your patio or porch, enjoying dinner al fresco or watching the sunset with a glass of wine.

To truly enjoy outdoor living, you need the right outdoor furniture. What is the best outdoor furniture for you? That depends on your needs, aesthetic, and budget. Here at Omorfia, our job is to listen to you, our client, and find the right design and style that fits your home. We’re not just pros at interior design -- we are here to help with your outdoor living design as well.

Choosing Your Outdoor Furniture

Choosing the best outdoor furniture is important because you will be spending a lot of time on it in the warmer months. Outdoor furniture on a deck or patio also takes a beating from Mother Nature, with the UV rays of the sun, rain, and Minnesota hail.

You want your outdoor furniture to hold up structurally and aesthetically, to both look good and last. Patio furniture can be a major investment, and if you choose wisely, you’ll get many years of enjoyment from your chairs, tables, chaises, and benches.

Wrought Iron

If you’re looking for classic and sturdy outdoor furniture, wrought iron may be the way to go. This furniture is heavy, so you won’t have to worry about it blowing away, even in high winds. Wrought iron comes in many designs and colors, from a more classic Victorian look to a more streamlined contemporary style.

You can also paint wrought iron furniture a custom color to match your home’s trim or to accent cushions or other design elements. Wrought iron furniture is easy to clean -- just a wipe down with a damp cloth. It’s also easy to keep looking nice because you can touch it up quickly should you get a chip in the paint.

Aluminum Patio Furniture

If you’re looking for outdoor furniture that is easy to care for and easy to move around, then aluminum patio furniture is a good idea. Aluminum outdoor furniture is the classic sort that has a lightweight frame, then large cushions for the seats and backs.

The frame will outlast your cushions by many years, so you can get an updated look by replacing the cushions while keeping the base frames. Although aluminum doesn’t rust, make sure you choose a powder-coated, UV-resistant finish for frames that will stand up to the elements.

Wood Outdoor Furniture

For rustic charm and natural beauty, wooden outdoor furniture is hard to beat. Patio furniture made of wood can be finished with a variety of stains and paints to create color combinations that complement your home and other outdoor accessories. Wooden furniture is classic for outdoor living, especially if you’re going for a natural look, a rustic or country aesthetic, or a beachy style.

Wooden outdoor furniture does require more maintenance than other types of patio furniture. It’s still easy to clean, but use a solution of Murphy’s Oil Soap and water and a soft brush. You also need to keep your wooden outdoor furniture sealed to avoid splitting, rotting, and bugs. The choice of wood for your outdoor furniture plays a role in this maintenance.

Cedar is naturally resistant to both moisture and bugs, but requires annual sealing. Pressure-treated pine has been injected with a solution that makes it bug and moisture resistant, as well. Teak and eucalyptus are popular woods for outdoor furniture because they are dense and do not split easily. They also do not require annual sealing.

If your wooden outdoor furniture loses its luster, you can sand it, restain or repaint it, and seal it to bring it back to life. If your wooden furniture’s seal has broken and moisture stays on the wood, you can get mold, mildew, or algae on your furniture. Remove it with a beach or vinegar solution and a scrub brush, taking care not to scratch the wood.

Plastic, Composite, and Synthetic Furniture

If you are looking for the look and style of wooden outdoor furniture but don’t want the maintenance that comes with it, plastic outdoor furniture is a win. This type of furniture looks to be made of wood but instead is made of recycled plastic, rubber, sawdust, and other materials to create a weather-resistant polymer that never needs staining, painting, or sealing.

Many homes use composite materials for outdoor decking and porches due to their low-maintenance benefits. Your synthetic patio furniture will look good for years and can simply be rinsed down with your garden hose.

The Choice of Cushions

Patio furniture becomes a customized and elegant extension of your home through the cushions. These can be the most expensive part of your outdoor furniture purchase, so take care to choose a fabric that not only will last but that you can live with for years. Replacing cushions or cushion covers is an easy way to update your outdoor furniture as well.

New cushions will make your furniture look new, allow it to complement your home’s style and colors, and make a statement of the feel you are going for in your outdoor living area. Bold colors and patterns draw the eye and feel more vibrant. On the other hand, muted, earthy tones tend to blend into the outdoor landscape for a more natural atmosphere.

Choose an outdoor-use fabric that is resistant to mold, moisture, stains, and UV rays. Your furniture can have matching cushions to appear as a coordinated set, or contrasting accent pieces to create a mixture of color and patterns. Your choice of fabrics will determine whether your patio resembles a Victorian sunroom, a tropical oasis, a seaside resort, or something completely different.

Let Omorfia Help You

If you’re swimming in the options available for patio furniture and want to make sure you invest wisely, the pros at Omorfia stand ready to help you choose the best outdoor furniture for your needs, style, and budget.

We will listen to your ideas, take a look at your outdoor spaces and how they flow from the indoors, research products and pricing, and put it all together into a proposal. Contact us today to get started. You’ll be ready for spring and sitting pretty on your new outdoor furniture that you’ll enjoy for years to come.