Patio Sets

Buying Patio Sets – a 7 Step Checklist

If you are lucky enough to have your own backyard then you want to make the most of it. A little time exploring all the patio sets on offer can have you imagining how good it could be relaxing in comfort in your own idyllic retreat far from the madding crowd and busy day to day life.

But you do need to shop wisely if you want to get the right patio furniture. Here’s a checklist to make sure you make the right choice.

1. Check out Your Garden

Look at your backyard with a new eye considering how patio furniture would enhance the overall design and use of your garden. Get a vision of your newly furnished garden in your mind’s eye

2. Think about Your Lifestyle

Think about how you use your backyard (or how you could and would use it if you had the right outdoor furniture). Do you need furniture that’s suitable for all the family? Do you entertain a lot? Do you just want to relax on your patio with a cool drink and a good book? Different types of patio furniture are suitable for each of these scenarios. Maybe you need to consider all three when looking at garden furniture sets!

Choose the right patio set

Choose the right patio set

3. Measure Your Space

How big is your patio and what shape is it? It’s a good idea to create a plan to scale so that you can see how particular items might fit the space. Remember to mark off any areas where you can’t put furniture such as where doors open onto your patio or where you need a path through from the house to the rest of the backyard.

4. Set a Budget

Quality outdoor furniture is a bit of an investment but you can expect it to give you years of pleasure. In many cases you get better value going more upmarket than by buying several cheap patio sets over the years. Still, there have to be limits so think about what yours are.

5. Look at Your Options and Create a Short list

You can buy sets of furniture for your patio in all different sizes and combinations. Look at what is available online or in local stores and think about how the various options might fit your lifestyle and your patio. Cut out the shapes of the various items to the same scale as your patio and see how they fit in. Remember you also need a foot or two of space to walk around your furniture! Pick out a few patio furniture sets that seem to suit you best for further consideration.

6. Compare Prices and Value

When comparing your short list of patio sets look at

  • price of the basic patio set
  • number of chairs
  • size of table
  • other items included (or items you have to add to the price)
  • quality of the construction
  • type of materials
  • ease of after care
  • availability of the specific items you would like
  • delivery charges
  • delivery time scale (will you get it in time to enjoy it?)
  • ready assembled or flat pack (how easy will you find it to put your patio furniture together?)
  • warranties and guarantees
  • returns policy
  • reputation of the supplier

Usually by going through this list you will see that one or two furniture sets stand out from the others and you will be able to make your selection.

7. Choose Optional Extras

Time to make your purchase! When ordering it’s best to include any items you need to go with your garden furniture especially if there are matching items such as drinks trolleys, small tables and cushions to fit your patio set you might like in the future. These accessories might not be available later so it is as well to get them at the same time. Just make sure you don’t go over your budget!

Now there’s nothing left to do but wait for delivery and enjoy your patio furniture!

Patio Sets : What Size Should You Buy?

Patio sets generally come with 4, 6 or 8 chairs along with the table although generally you can buy additional chairs if required with the better quality sets.

When deciding what size to buy think about

  1. How big your family is or your typical group of friends who will be gathering around the table, particularly if you intend to serve meals in the garden
  2. How much room you have on your patio – no point in buying a bigger table and chairs than will fit – and remember you will need room to walk around your patio furniture
  3. How much storage space you have if you intend to put your table and chairs away for the winter

If you buy enough patio furniture for a typical group you can always supplement when additional guest arrive with folding chairs you store in your garden shed or garage or with chairs from your home – even picnic rugs and cushions for an informal or impromptu party.

How many garden chairs?

How many garden chairs?

If you have a 6 piece patio set and are having a more formal larger occasion in your garden you could hire chairs or borrow from friends.

When buying your patio set also think about any additional matching items you need such as side tables, cart, foot stools and reclining chairs or loungers. The best patio sets will be around a few years and you should be able to buy additional matching items later but you can’t guarantee it.

How to Compare Prices on Patio Sets – a Consumer Guide

You’d think that comparing prices on patio sets would be quite straightforward online – after all you can easily go from online store to online store without leaving your chair but there are some things to be aware of as you shop so make sure you have all the facts before you decide on one patio set or another or choose a retailer.

Ask yourself…

Are the Shipping charges included?

Sometimes you don’t find out about shipping charges until you check out. Shipping charges on patio furniture sets can be quite substantial in some cases as furniture is so heavy, bulky and expensive to deliver. If the web site does not state “free shipping” make sure you find out the delivery charges when doing your price comparison. (Go part way through checkout without actually checking out to find out if you have to).

Enjoy your patio set without paying too much!

Enjoy your patio set without paying too much!

How Much Discount?

You may see discount prices on patio sets but a discount price does not always mean much unless you are comparing prices on exactly the same patio furniture set from different retailers. Use your own judgment and the prices of similar items on other sites to determine value for money – not the 50% off discount price tag or spectacular discount voucher codes.

Even comparisons to retail or list price don’t help much unless a site is offering the cheapest price available (including shipping of course!) for that item. And a sale does not mean you are getting the best deal on your patio set either. Some retailers mark up prices high so they can have a sale with huge markdowns! You think you’re getting a great deal on quality patio sets but it’s just that the price has been hiked. You have to look at the actual prices and the quality of the patio furniture to determine value for money.

Are You Getting the Lowest Prices?

Well you may be but you can’t tell just by a website claiming that they offer the “lowest prices on patio sets” Always compare prices yourself on outdoor furniture. And even if a website offers a “lowest price or double the difference” still do your own checks because they may be gambling on most people not bothering to shop around or on them not being able to find exactly the same furniture. Many companies change the names on furniture to make price comparison almost impossible! If you want to pay low prices you have to make sure you find the low prices yourself.

A Retailer You Trust?

In most cases your order will be fulfilled without a hitch but when things do go wrong you’ll find you’re pleased to have paid an extra few dollars to buy garden furniture from a company you trust.  If you’re not sure ask around or even just read the consumer reviews online. Companies like Amazon allow a completely free rein for people to post both negative and positive reviews and as a result we tend to trust them!

A Fair Price?

That is really what you are looking for. Consider the quality of the product. Consider the company and the service you can expect from them. Consider the shipping charges and then make up you own mind about whether prices are fair for the patio sets on offer.

Patio Sets to Enhance Your Garden : Some Don’ts

Welcome to Patio Sets Online! As you know buying patio furniture is a big a decision so this site has has been set up to bring you all the information you need when buying.

The wrong patio set will not do anything at all for your garden or your enjoyment of it – and patio sets can be wrong for so many reasons. Here are the main mistakes to avoid when purchasing patio furniture sets.

1. Don’t choose a dining set or set of outdoor chairs which is too large for your garden or patio because it will immediately make your garden look small and cramped even if you were quite happy with it before. Patio furniture tends to be larger than similar indoor furniture and if you look at your outdoor furniture in a huge showroom or warehouse or just have an image online the size can be surprisingly deceptive. Go by the actual measurements rather than how a patio set looks in a picture or store.

2 Garden Chairs are not enough!

2 Garden Chairs are not enough!

2. Don’t buy too little. On the other hand make sure that your patio furniture set is large enough for your needs. If you often have 6 people sitting in your garden then you need seats (and potentially a garden table) for 6 (provided you have enough space!) – don’t buy one for 4. It can be difficult to go back later and buy matching items as many items of garden furniture are only sold in sets.

3. Don’t buy poor quality furniture that will fall apart in a short time. Make sure your garden furniture will look good for years with a patio set which is in a hard wearing material. Shabby outdoor furniture is not going to enhance the look of your backyard. The best materials for durability are hardwood such as teak, synthetic wicker or metal with an anti-rust coating. Be especially careful if your patio set has to stay outside all winter due to lack of indoor storage space.

4. Don’t just go by looks. Think about how comfortable the tables and chairs in the collection you are considering might be. We all love our gardens and want to enjoy sitting in them whether they are just small patches of earth, large apple orchards or live butterfly gardens so the chairs feel good too. Do the garden chairs force you to sit upright or do they recline to allow you to lie back in the sun? Are there special cushions available to fit the furniture?

5. Don’t just go by price. Cheapest price patio sets are not always good value. Highest price does not always mean best quality. Make up your own mind after comparing prices on patio sets from different retailers.

If you want more details about the best patio furniture to get for your home there’s more help in the many articles on this site. In particular take a look at our check list on how to choose patio sets.