The age-old question when buying new patio or outdoor furniture is: do you purchase furniture that will last a season or two or do you purchase higher quality furniture that will last longer? A lot of this depends on where you see yourself in a few years and what your needs at that point may be. Here are three areas to consider before making a purchase.
- Cost: If you’re planning to move into a new home in the foreseeable future, perhaps saving money and purchasing something that meets your needs now is more prudent and you can splurge on a larger, different or more functional set in the future when you’re in your forever home.
- Aesthetic: If the look of a particular set floats your boat, consider how you can alter it if your tastes change over time. Can you change out cushions, umbrellas, etc. or can it be painted or refinished if the structure is something you like but the colour may get tiring over a few seasons?
- Durability: To purchase the perfect outdoor furniture, consider the elements it will be exposed to. Furniture made from plastic vs wood vs metal, etc. will all wear and age differently in different climates. For example, if you live in a humid climate with lots of rain, wood furniture may take more maintenance to keep looking new than it would in a dryer area. Conversely, if your furniture is exposed to hours of direct sunlight, you would want to choose furniture that has some UV protection to keep the fabrics and paint looking newer, longer.