Originally Published on January 22, 2020. Last Updated on February 17, 2023.

After years spent learning about mortgage rates, saving for a down payment, and dreaming of homeownership, you’ve officially closed on your first house. Now that you have finally purchased your forever home, you can finally get quality outdoor furniture for your outdoor space. 

Because your home’s patio is larger than the small balcony in your former rental, you have the opportunity to create a true open-air retreat. Use this guide to find the best outdoor furniture to transform your house into a home.  

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Assessing Your New Outdoor Space

At your former apartment, a foldable lawn chair was all you needed to sit comfortably on the balcony. Since upgrading to homeowner status, you now have a much larger outdoor space and far more opportunities for personalizing that space. If this is your first time outfitting a deck or patio, the task might seem overwhelming. Where do you begin?

Measure Your Outdoor Space

Whether you’re planning to install a large pergola in your backyard or you want to place a small bistro set on your porch, it’s essential to know exactly how much square footage you have. Take measurements around the parameters of the space to determine what size furniture you’ll need. Leave two feet of space between the furniture and edge of your deck or patio to ensure everyone can comfortably navigate the area.

Consider the Climate

Is your new home nestled in the Florida panhandle where the weather is hot and humid with torrential rains? Maybe you’ve just purchased a modern desert retreat in Sedona. Whether you’re located on the coast or in the forest, it’s paramount to consider the weather conditions that affect your area that could cause fading, cracking, rotting, and other damage to your outdoor furniture. If your region experiences high rainfalls, don’t purchase wooden patio furniture that is susceptible to decay and mildew. Areas with extreme heat will cause natural wood furniture to splinter and crack while climates with heavy rainfall can result in rotting and warping.

Determine How You Will Use Your Outdoor Space

Do you envision your quaint garden as a blissful retreat tucked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Or do you imagine your deck as a hub for neighborhood barbecues? Entertaining regularly determines what outdoor furniture set up suits your space best. If you fancy frequent cocktail parties on your patio, a bar set is the perfect flexible seating solution. For a casual evening with your growing family, opt for a fire pit table to set a laid-back tone.

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Possible Uses for Your Outdoor Space

From barbecues to birthdays, your outdoor space will be the setting for many future family celebrations to come. Bring your backyard to life with any of these popular and functional setups:

• For the family that likes to be close to nature, arrange a set of Adirondack chairs and a conversation table beneath the soaring oak trees in your backyard. Here, you and your loved ones can unwind, relax, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

• With an elegant outdoor dining set on your deck, you and your date can dine al fresco. Comfortable outdoor cushions and string lights will set the scene for a cozy evening. After enjoying delicious steaks and a bottle of merlot, sink into the adjacent deep seating sofa, and spend countless hours stargazing. 
• If you face the challenge of a small patio, you can still create an incredible outdoor space. You and your kids will enjoy gently swaying from the comfort of a porch swing. Add a rocking chair set to the opposite end of your porch for added flare and seating options.

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The Importance of Quality Material

Now that you’ve purchased your first home, it’s time to start investing in quality furniture. Although the low prices are tempting, cheap outdoor furniture sets hardly last through the summer season. Because you’ll want to spend more time working on home renovations, it’s important to invest in pieces that require little to no maintenance and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Rather than replacing your outdoor lounge set every spring, invest in quality materials that will withstand the test of time. Our outdoor furniture is crafted with HDPE lumber, a durable material made from recycled plastics and UV-inhibited pigment systems. The heavy-duty properties of our material make it resistant to rotting, mildew, chipping, splintering, and peeling due to extreme heat, frigid winters, or heavy rain.   

Other sturdy outdoor materials such as aluminum and natural wood require regular maintenance and must be coated with protective treatments to avoid fading, rust, and other signs of degradation. In comparison, materials such as wicker begin rotting and cracking just moments after being exposed to the slightest bit of moisture or heat. 

Deck your home’s outdoor space with POLYWOOD® outdoor furniture to get started on the right foot. By investing in high-quality outdoor furniture, you’ll avoid costly repairs and replacements in the long-term.

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To start planning your outdoor oasis, use the POLYWOOD Outdoor Furniture Planner. After taking this quick quiz, we’ll curate a collection of outdoor furniture tailored to your outdoor space so you can purchase with confidence.