Patio Furniture & Outdoor Decor
Rediscover Your Patio and Save Your Wallet
Buying Guide: Rediscover Your Patio and Save Your Wallet
Let’s face it: Canadian summers are tragically short and all too soon, we’ll
find ourselves shoveling, scraping and suffering through the snow. So don’t
wait another year to outfit your patio with everything you need to turn it from
backyard bore to summer sanctuary. This guide will help you find the right fit
for your budget, square footage and style of decor.
An empty patio is like a blank canvas: full of possibility, waiting to be filled with the fruits of your creativity. But where to start? Well, first you should determine what kind of patio suits your needs. Do you regularly entertain large groups of family and friends who require multiple seating arrangements, or are you looking for something more intimate for small groups or even just a couple? Do you like a lot of sunlight, or is shade your preference? Is outdoor dining part of your daily summer routine, or is your patio a spot to enjoy a beverage? Answering these questions will help you decide what the focal point of your patio should be, and will give you a better idea of what accessories and other options you’ll want to consider. For most Canadians, a chair and table set is a good place to begin. To help you find the best fit for your budget, we’ll list price points in terms of three categories: Value, for a modest budget; Economy, for a growing family; and Luxury, whose title says it all!
Know Your Patio
Patio furniture typically comes in one of four major material groups: aluminum, wood, cast iron and wicker. In each material you will find options to fit your budget category, so let’s take a look at your choices.
1) Steel & Aluminum Patio Furniture
Light, flexible and weather resistant, aluminum and steel are a great choice of materials
for your Value
patio set.
Many options are available for inexpensive matching
table-and-chair sets that will look great, store easily and stand up to the
rigors of inclement weather. But don’t think aluminum and steel as a Value only option:
higher-end cast aluminum & steel serves as the frame for Luxury models
as well. Find cast aluminum/steel sets with rocking and swivel chairs, large-seating
tables with umbrellas, and even within the construction of Luxury wicker
furniture! Steel and aluminum patio furniture is by far the most aesthetically flexible material
available, with styles suited to everything from fun backyard barbecue
environments to upscale garden party seating.
2) Wood Patio Furniture
There are as many varieties of wood as there are trees in the forest, so count
on this material for versatility and natural beauty. As with aluminum, varying
grades of wood will match different budgetary constraints. Poly wood and
eucalyptus (or shorea) are inexpensive materials perfect for starter sets and
patio furniture for the cottage, where weather damage may preclude more
expensive options: many of these options are dried and sealed to help prevent
damage from mildew and decay. Mid range woods like cedar or pine have one of the
highest weight-to-strength ratios available, making cedar furniture
exceptionally durable but surprisingly light. Somewhat more expensive than wood
composites, cedar has a beautiful finish that captures the essence of the Muskokas. High end materials like teak or rosewood are among the most expensive:
heavy, ornate and very rich in finish, furniture made from these woods are best
saved for special occasions: careful attention must be paid to upkeep and
maintenance. Choose the look and functionality that’s right for you and your
patio when choosing wood furniture.
3) Cast Iron Patio Furniture
Nothing says old-world charm quite like
cast iron
patio furniture. Strong, durable and able to
resist wind and weather with ease, cast iron tends to be a more expensive choice
for patio sets given its weight and ornate aesthetic. However, investing early
in long-lasting furniture can be a valuable purchase when you’re establishing
your new home. If your budget allows, cast iron tables and chairs will last you
a lifetime, given proper maintenance and care. Modern cast iron is often treated
to resist discolouration and rusting, but furniture built from this material is
still a better choice for glass or walled enclosures such as sun rooms. Often,
cast iron will be paired with other materials such as glass for tables and
wicker for chairs; often it is worked in its pure form to create bases for
umbrellas and other accessories. Cast iron is usually reserved for those with a
Luxury budget, but if you’re interested in a comparable material at a more
reasonable price, refer back to the section on aluminum and check out options in
cast aluminum!
4) Wicker Patio Furniture
Like cast iron, wicker is usually presumed to be reserved for those on a Luxury
budget only. Certainly the beautiful patterns and unique feel offered by
wicker
furniture lends itself to a luxurious aesthetic in your home or cottage, but did
you know wicker can be purchased at any budget level? As with wood, wicker comes
in a variety of qualities: a three-piece bistro set, ideal for your garden or
poolside, can be found for as low as $120.00; similarly, a four-piece resin
wicker patio set can run as low as five hundred dollars. Of course, if luxury is
in your budget, you can also opt for high-grade wicker built from beautiful teak
wood; a seven-piece set is perfect for entertaining valued at $2,000.00 or more.
Wicker is one of the less flexible materials, however: susceptible to weather
damage, it must be treated and ideally stored during the harsh winter months
More Furniture = More Fun!
The core of any patio set is your table and chairs, so once you have chosen the style and material, you are free to add as much or as little as you like to your patio set: the only limits are your budget and your imagination! Refer back to the Getting Started section to determine what kind of additional furniture would best suit the needs of your patio, deck, poolside or garden.
Whether you’re an active family or a single couple, you might want to entertain a lot of guests for barbecues and gatherings, so seek out additional seating options for your party patio! Do a quick count of the maximum number of people you anticipate having over at a time, then add two – just in case someone brings a friend! This is a good rule of thumb to determine the total number of seats you’ll want to have on hand. You don’t need to break the bank keeping everyone comfy: stacking and folding chairs start as low as $19.99, and if you’re looking for something a little fancier, more intimate, or just more comfortable, additional stylish options are available including conversation and bistro sets.
Don’t worry about the neighbour’s kids dripping mustard on your furniture: most of today’s modern patio furniture is built from easy-to-clean materials like sealed wood, tempered glass or lightweight aluminum, making maintenance as simple as reaching for the garden hose!
You’ll also need to make sure you have adequate surface space for all those feasting party goers. When selecting your table size, feel free to go as big as your space will allow – the more, the merrier! Measure your area out, then add 36-42” to your table dimensions on each side to allow sufficient room for seating your guests comfortably (depending on the depth of the chairs you’ve selected.) You can also find great deals on side tables to add extra table surfaces for drinks, snacks and more.
If you’re entertaining groups of people, and your space doesn’t provide a lot of natural shade, you may also want to consider an offset umbrella in addition to the market umbrellas that come with the main patio table and chair set. Your guests will be glad you made the investment during those scorching dog days of August.
If you’re looking to build your own quiet oasis, or you’re a single couple, you can find a variety of smaller patio sets designed for 2-4 people. Or maybe a bistro set is all you need – they’re perfect for condo and apartment balconies. If your space allows, add a couple of lounge chairs for sunbathing (and napping), down-home wood Muskoka chairs for an afternoon spent reading or an evening relaxing by the firepit, and comfy swinging benches, all at Economy prices.
If your garden parties are the talk of the community, show the best your backyard has to offer with beautiful iron-and-wicker choices from Ty Pennington, Modern Karibou, Patio Flare, Royal Botania, Minima, Moderno and other luxury brands. Let your guests relax and take in the glory of your garden with outdoor sectionals and sofas, Laguna and Windsor benches, New England-style rocking chairs, garden swings, or canopy beds. With these options your home becomes synonymous with Luxury!
Accessorize for Success!
With your furniture in place, it’s time to make your patio space truly yours with a variety of outdoor accessories ranging from functional to fun to the truly fine. By now, you should have a pretty good idea what kind of patio environment you want to create, so you can pick and choose from great add-ons to get the absolute most out of your backyard oasis!
Lights & Torches
Partying late into the night? Make sure to keep the bugs away with tiki torches and bug lamps that will light up even the darkest night and keep you and your guests bite-free. There’s also a unique selection of outdoor standing and table lamps available for a more formal atmosphere.
Outdoor Rugs
Inject some color and bare feet comfort with stylish outdoor rugs – and be sure
to grab an entrance mat for guests to wipe their feet on the way into the fridge
or washroom.
Lounge Chairs
If you’re longing for a lazy afternoon reading or enjoying a beverage in the
shade, there are options in all three budget categories for a variety of
hammocks, from the classic tree suspension model to high-tech hammock frames
designed with your comfort and relaxation in mind, from LL Bean, Urban Balance
and more!
Umbrellas
To keep you and your guests out of the sun, choose from a variety of
umbrellas,
from basic models designed for the beach, to market umbrellas for tables, to
unique offset umbrellas deigned to provide maximum shade. Choose your umbrella
in a variety of colors to ensure that you– and your decor – stay cool.
Storage Sheds
When winter rears its freezing head, make sure you have somewhere warm and dry
to store your all your patio gear! Pick up a freestanding
shed to store
everything from furniture to gardening supplies. Available in a wide variety of
styles and sizes, they not only provide a utilitarian purpose, but they’ll fit
your backyard decor in any season!
Fire Pits & Patio Heaters
Feel like roasting some marshmallows, but your zoning laws prohibit an open
flame? Get the best of both worlds with
fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and fire
baskets that will let you have all the fun of a cookout without riling the fire
marshal! Some models are available as standard wood burning, or propane/natural
gas configurations. And if fires aren’t your thing, you can still keep everyone
toasty with a natural gas, electric or propane patio heater. Choose from free
standing models, table top, wall/post mounted, or umbrella models. Today’s
modern patio heaters come in a variety of stylish finishes, so you don’t have to
sacrifice style to stay warm!
Gazebos, Pergolas, Awnings and Sun Shelters
In the heat of the summer, there are plenty of stylish and affordable ways to
stay out of the sun. Add a little class to your backyard with a range of
beautiful gazebos,
ideal for garden parties and afternoon tea. These gazebos
come in a variety of styles and finishes, letting you match to your existing
decor. Few patio accessories give you a taste of both the islands and New
England like a pergola: choose one in natural wood finish for an authentic
Montego Bay experience, or try a whitewashed model to rest under after a long
day of fishing off the coast! Keep the sun off your deck during the long, hot
days of July and August with a variety of static and retractable awnings
designed to accent your furniture and protect you and your guests from the heat.
And for total protection everywhere from a campsite to your own backyard, check
out these portable sun shelters that are easy to construct, easy to take down,
simple to store, and won’t leave your wallet burned. From garden parties to
family reunions, these additional patio and backyard accessories will put the
finishing touches on your summer getaway in the comfort of your own home.
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