You spend hours designing the perfect patio for your Northern Virginia home, but what about the patio furniture you will spend hours using? Use these patio furniture tips to find the perfect patio furniture for your outdoor use and never again have to think “I wish I had known” after you make a patio furniture purchase.

Think about how many people you need to comfortably seat outside on your patio. Do you need a table and chair set, an umbrella, chaise lounges or even a freestanding hammock? Plan ahead and all of these items are easily incorporated into your patio furniture design. You may not choose to buy all pieces at once, but leaving room for them for future use is a good idea.

What to do?

• Make a diagram of the layout you would like to utilize with your patio furniture. Think about where the sun is throughout the day, and make sure seating options are available for both the sunny spots and the shady areas.
• Use a paste wax on aluminum patio furniture at least twice each year to prevent weather damage to the surface. Cover moving parts with the appropriate lubricant as well to prevent rust and corrosion when not in use.
• If choosing wicker or rattan furniture for your patio, keep the maintenance requirements in mind. Even though these pieces of patio furniture are visually appealing and create an ambiance of tropical bliss, the sun will dry out the wood and make it less than appealing. Also, wicker is prone to mold and mildew, making it a bit more difficult to care for.
• Wrought iron patio furniture also should be taken care of to prevent damage from the elements – like sun and water. Remove any spots of rust, scratches or stains with a light abrasive cleaner or scrape it off, then coat the surface with moisture resistant spray point to seal it.

For more information on creating the outdoor patio of your dreams, contact Northern Virginia’s patio experts at Armor Fence. Serving all of the Washington DC metropolitan area, our team of professionals can assist in your every outdoor dream.