<p>Early morning, when the birds are chirping or late night when the stars are bright and twinkling, that’s when I enjoy sitting in my patio the most. If you too are lucky to have a little patio area private to your residence, then make sure you make the wisest use of it. Tuck yourself in a corner, enjoy some cool breeze over a good read and hot coffee. Or simply enjoy the evening. <br /><br />Depending upon the area available to you, do up the space either with some wicker chairs or rustic low Moroccan seats; wrought iron dining seating or just a comfortable couch or swing. It’s all about making creative use of the space.<br /><br />Placement <br /><br />Consider this – is your patio or outdoor space exposed or does it have a covering? Will your furniture rest on soft ground and grass or on a hard surface such as a wooden deck or a paved patio? <br /><br />Make sure to get materials that will be a good match for your environment. Do not place soft wood such as pine on a grassy surface and in an exposed area. The moisture from the ground can cause the wood to rot. On the other hand, resin furniture is impervious to it. Consider patio umbrellas for shade if you get too much sun. Rajiv and Anita Kapur, who own a home in Delhi, wisely invested in an all-weather swing worth Rs 10,000 for their patio. The swing is now the highlight of their patio and their granddaughter’s favourite hang-out place. “We enjoy basking in the sun in winters and make the most of the rainy months on the swing,” he says. <br /><br />Material<br /><br />What material do you like for outdoor furniture? Don’t just base your decision on how it looks, although that is a big consideration too. <br /><br />The weather where you live plays a big role in determining if a material is suitable. So does the amount of care that a material needs. Some outdoor materials such as aluminium do not need too much care; neither do teak, plastic or resin furniture. Wrought iron can last for a really long time and can withstand the heat and moisture. Take the case of Natasha Kamble, a home owner in Mumbai, who gave her balcony a facelift by hanging aluminium-coated chairs. “They are light-weight, colourful and make for comfortable seating. And I don’t even have to worry about rain spoiling the chairs,” says Natasha. <br /><br />Comfort factor <br /><br />You will be using your outdoor furniture to relax, so make it comfortable. <br />Even if your chairs don’t come with cushions, you can buy or make your own cushions and pillows. Just make sure to use good quality outdoor fabric that does not fade and is mildew resistant. <br /><br />Your pillows will stay looking their best if you store them when you no longer use them outdoors in cooler months. Chaise lounges, rockers and recliners are also great for relaxing outdoors. <br /><br /><br />Make sure to try out your furniture before you buy it. For stretching out you may also want to look at hammocks and daybeds. <br /><br />Storage space<br /><br />Winter and rainy season will require a space where you can store your outdoor furniture. Covers can take care but may not provide enough protection, especially for wicker. Buying something that can be used indoors during the winter and rainy months is a good idea. <br />Foldable furniture too saves space and storage hassles. You could use an IKEA table and chair to work on. Much like what Rishita, a Delhi student has. “The chair is light-weight and can be easily dismantled and kept aside. I take it all around the house. Even to the balcony for reading and writing in some natural light,” she says. <br /><br />Budget<br /><br />Your budget determines what you can buy. Some very attractive patio furniture is available for less during sales and off-season. Consider materials that are less expensive such as aluminium or resin, or look for inexpensive woods. An affordable way to get the furniture of your choice is to get it made locally. Look for a design, buy the material required and get furniture made. <br /><br />Choices galore <br /><br />To make for a comfortable one-seater, opt for a swing type rattan chair or individual cane chairs available at Rs 500 above in local markets. Patio, the outdoor furniture company, has many ergonomical designs with a hint of traditional art of hand-woven furniture in high standard all weather rattan. Powder coated aluminium furniture is light weight and durable. Go for weather-proof, UV resistance, non-fading, washable and non-toxic furniture for an environment friendly patio setting. A relaxing lounge comes for Rs 43,500 at Patio (the Indian company). Add some colour to your pool sides with colourful chairs and umbrellas available at Home Store chains. Some of the best ergonomical furniture is available at IKEA abroad. <br /><br />You can pick them up when you travel or purchase good-quality ones from garage sales. Cabanas too make for trendy seating spaces, especially for lazing around. Choose from Weave Craft’s cabana sets in wicker in different colours and wicker meshes adding texture to the piece. They add an element of class to any ordinary set-up. Wrought iron has always been a good option for dining arrangements for outdoor areas. You can also get bar and grill units installed in your garden or terrace, as a ready to party unit. Stone and ceramic lend a European feel to the green and open terraces. <br /><br />Keep them shining!<br /><br />- Consider investing in a patio cover that will cover a table and chair set. It’s an easy way to protect the furniture during a particularly heavy rain or hailstorm. <br />- Always bring your furniture indoors during the off-season. <br />- Clean aluminium, steel and iron furniture frames with soap and water. If metal frames aren’t rust-resistant, use a paste wax on it to prevent corrosion. <br />- If you know that you are not the most diligent when it comes to maintaining your outdoor furniture, look for frames that are simple and don’t involve grooves or other hard-to-clean designs that will trap dirt and grime. This way, you can do away with daily maintenance of your furniture, and wiping it clean without much hassle. <br /><br />- It’s easier to carry out on-the-spot cleaning on a regular basis as opposed to a few major elaborate cleaning sessions over a season. Try to make your patio or deck furniture maintenance part of your weekly cleaning routine. Opt for all-weather furniture to make it last for years. </p>
<p>Early morning, when the birds are chirping or late night when the stars are bright and twinkling, that’s when I enjoy sitting in my patio the most. If you too are lucky to have a little patio area private to your residence, then make sure you make the wisest use of it. Tuck yourself in a corner, enjoy some cool breeze over a good read and hot coffee. Or simply enjoy the evening. <br /><br />Depending upon the area available to you, do up the space either with some wicker chairs or rustic low Moroccan seats; wrought iron dining seating or just a comfortable couch or swing. It’s all about making creative use of the space.<br /><br />Placement <br /><br />Consider this – is your patio or outdoor space exposed or does it have a covering? Will your furniture rest on soft ground and grass or on a hard surface such as a wooden deck or a paved patio? <br /><br />Make sure to get materials that will be a good match for your environment. Do not place soft wood such as pine on a grassy surface and in an exposed area. The moisture from the ground can cause the wood to rot. On the other hand, resin furniture is impervious to it. Consider patio umbrellas for shade if you get too much sun. Rajiv and Anita Kapur, who own a home in Delhi, wisely invested in an all-weather swing worth Rs 10,000 for their patio. The swing is now the highlight of their patio and their granddaughter’s favourite hang-out place. “We enjoy basking in the sun in winters and make the most of the rainy months on the swing,” he says. <br /><br />Material<br /><br />What material do you like for outdoor furniture? Don’t just base your decision on how it looks, although that is a big consideration too. <br /><br />The weather where you live plays a big role in determining if a material is suitable. So does the amount of care that a material needs. Some outdoor materials such as aluminium do not need too much care; neither do teak, plastic or resin furniture. Wrought iron can last for a really long time and can withstand the heat and moisture. Take the case of Natasha Kamble, a home owner in Mumbai, who gave her balcony a facelift by hanging aluminium-coated chairs. “They are light-weight, colourful and make for comfortable seating. And I don’t even have to worry about rain spoiling the chairs,” says Natasha. <br /><br />Comfort factor <br /><br />You will be using your outdoor furniture to relax, so make it comfortable. <br />Even if your chairs don’t come with cushions, you can buy or make your own cushions and pillows. Just make sure to use good quality outdoor fabric that does not fade and is mildew resistant. <br /><br />Your pillows will stay looking their best if you store them when you no longer use them outdoors in cooler months. Chaise lounges, rockers and recliners are also great for relaxing outdoors. <br /><br /><br />Make sure to try out your furniture before you buy it. For stretching out you may also want to look at hammocks and daybeds. <br /><br />Storage space<br /><br />Winter and rainy season will require a space where you can store your outdoor furniture. Covers can take care but may not provide enough protection, especially for wicker. Buying something that can be used indoors during the winter and rainy months is a good idea. <br />Foldable furniture too saves space and storage hassles. You could use an IKEA table and chair to work on. Much like what Rishita, a Delhi student has. “The chair is light-weight and can be easily dismantled and kept aside. I take it all around the house. Even to the balcony for reading and writing in some natural light,” she says. <br /><br />Budget<br /><br />Your budget determines what you can buy. Some very attractive patio furniture is available for less during sales and off-season. Consider materials that are less expensive such as aluminium or resin, or look for inexpensive woods. An affordable way to get the furniture of your choice is to get it made locally. Look for a design, buy the material required and get furniture made. <br /><br />Choices galore <br /><br />To make for a comfortable one-seater, opt for a swing type rattan chair or individual cane chairs available at Rs 500 above in local markets. Patio, the outdoor furniture company, has many ergonomical designs with a hint of traditional art of hand-woven furniture in high standard all weather rattan. Powder coated aluminium furniture is light weight and durable. Go for weather-proof, UV resistance, non-fading, washable and non-toxic furniture for an environment friendly patio setting. A relaxing lounge comes for Rs 43,500 at Patio (the Indian company). Add some colour to your pool sides with colourful chairs and umbrellas available at Home Store chains. Some of the best ergonomical furniture is available at IKEA abroad. <br /><br />You can pick them up when you travel or purchase good-quality ones from garage sales. Cabanas too make for trendy seating spaces, especially for lazing around. Choose from Weave Craft’s cabana sets in wicker in different colours and wicker meshes adding texture to the piece. They add an element of class to any ordinary set-up. Wrought iron has always been a good option for dining arrangements for outdoor areas. You can also get bar and grill units installed in your garden or terrace, as a ready to party unit. Stone and ceramic lend a European feel to the green and open terraces. <br /><br />Keep them shining!<br /><br />- Consider investing in a patio cover that will cover a table and chair set. It’s an easy way to protect the furniture during a particularly heavy rain or hailstorm. <br />- Always bring your furniture indoors during the off-season. <br />- Clean aluminium, steel and iron furniture frames with soap and water. If metal frames aren’t rust-resistant, use a paste wax on it to prevent corrosion. <br />- If you know that you are not the most diligent when it comes to maintaining your outdoor furniture, look for frames that are simple and don’t involve grooves or other hard-to-clean designs that will trap dirt and grime. This way, you can do away with daily maintenance of your furniture, and wiping it clean without much hassle. <br /><br />- It’s easier to carry out on-the-spot cleaning on a regular basis as opposed to a few major elaborate cleaning sessions over a season. Try to make your patio or deck furniture maintenance part of your weekly cleaning routine. Opt for all-weather furniture to make it last for years. </p>
