With the end of winter getting closer each day, it’s time to think about all the moments you’ll spend outside with family and friends. Adding the right patio dining set to your backyard is the perfect way to celebrate the coming of spring and warmer weather.
In this article, we’ll talk about the features that we at Outer recommend looking for in the best outdoor dining sets and how to find one that works best for you.
Patio Dining Sets: Things To Consider
Space
Before you make your first stop at the store or begin browsing online, consider how much space you have for a patio dining set. Also, be sure to factor in how many people you’d typically like to seat.
The best way to figure out the size you’ll need is to determine exactly where you’ll be placing your set — because who says your patio dining set has to be directly on the patio?
Imagine where you see everyone together — eating, laughing, and having a good time. Out on the balcony? Under the pergola? Maybe in the open yard with a decorative umbrella for shade. The options are endless and entirely up to you and your backyard aesthetic!
Once you’ve decided on the location that works best for your outdoor space, then it’s as simple as measuring the area and letting inspiration strike! Just be sure to leave enough room around the dining set in case you want to add new features down the line.
Style
While you’re searching for the ideal patio dining set, you’ll want to determine if there’s an existing style you’d like to keep in mind or if your new set is going to be the main focus of your outdoor space.
To ensure that all existing or future furniture pieces match your selection, the best option is to go neutral. This way, you can mix and match without having to worry about colors clashing.
Some of our favorite choices are cool tones like charcoal gray or white, but a failsafe way to keep your backyard looking timeless is to look into natural materials, especially when searching for the perfect chairs.
Purpose
Finally, it’s important to ask yourself how you envision using your space. Patio dining sets make it easy to host a few guests or throw a party.
Knowing your intended purpose can help you figure out how much space you’ll need for your dining set overall, and it will also give you an idea of how many people it can fit.
Smaller sets made for four people are great for intimate gatherings, but things can get too cramped when a fifth person comes around. Larger sets can eliminate this hosting headache but often take up too much space when the party’s over and are difficult to put away.
To seat everyone comfortably no matter the occasion, consider a modular set that extends to accommodate all of your guests. With this design, your table can grow or shrink according to your needs without any hassle.
Now that we’ve gone over how to determine exactly what you’ll need for your specific space, let’s take a look at the features that the ultimate patio dining set should have.
What To Look For In Patio Dining Sets
Weather-Ready Comfort
No patio dining set is complete without chairs that are as comfortable as they are stylish. Along with a seat that makes you forget you’re sitting outside, armrests are a must!
For many patio dining sets, this is where things start to get tricky. A lot of metal materials used for furniture frames are great for sustaining harsh weather conditions, but a bit of direct sunlight or cold weather can make them uncomfortable to touch.
Here at Outer, our aluminum furniture is made to withstand the heat, even on the hottest summer days. Its carefully thought-out design ensures it always remains comfortable (and safe for the whole family).
If you’re interested in wooden furniture pieces, you’ll love that our teak options don’t absorb any heat. This gold-standard material for outdoor wood stays at an ambient temperature year-round, so you’ll never have to stress about furniture that’s too hot or too cold.
We used these weather-ready materials to carefully craft a classic dining set made for the outdoors. The table is finished with a weather-resistant resin powder coat, and the Director Chairs are made with all-weather Textilene fabric to withstand all conditions without fading.
Functional Design
Whether your go-to way of entertaining is hosting small groups of friends or inviting everyone in the neighborhood, you need a patio dining set that can transition between both worlds at a moment’s notice.
An extendable table is the best way to make room for everyone. This functional feature adds unparalleled versatility to your outdoor space without taking up too much room when not in use.
An ideal extendable table will utilize table leaves to increase your table’s surface area when you have multiple guests over. Then, on quiet evenings, you can remove the leaves and shrink your space down for a more intimate feel.
In addition, keeping your patio set protected shouldn’t mean storing it every time some heavy rain rolls through. That’s why we’ve implemented our OuterShell design to efficiently protect your furniture from sunlight, dust, snow, rain, and even bird droppings.
Plus, our portable Director Chairs are built to fold easily for quick transportation. No more awkwardly lugging bulky chairs across the lawn.
Sustainable Products
Designing your dream backyard can be daunting enough when searching for products that are comfortable, durable, and timelessly stylish. Even when you’ve discovered an option that offers all of these must-have features, you might be asking whether the choice is eco-friendly.
Here at Outer, we believe that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice sustainable furniture for optimized comfort. We guarantee that each ottoman, loveseat, and everything in-between is responsibly made and sustainably sourced for a better future.
For example, we choose aluminum not only for its weather resistance but also because it’s one of the easiest materials to recycle at the end of its long lifespan. It’s fully recyclable, and 1% of all aluminum revenue supports the environmental nonprofit Climate Neutral to decrease global carbon emissions.
Our teak is also Forest Stewardship Council-certified and comes from responsibly managed teak plantations. For each tree that we harvest, the plantation plants three saplings in its place.
All of our key design values are present in our patio dining collection: comfort, innovation, durability, and sustainability with strong, sleek materials that are built to last. With Outer, there’s no need to compromise.
Getting the best patio dining set is simple as long as you keep an eye out for these necessary features. And once you’ve found the set that’s right for you, don’t forget the finishing touches.
Completing Your Outdoor Dining Set
Bring The Kitchen Outdoors
Thinking of ways that you can bring your outdoor dining set to a whole new level? Make your space an all-in-one entertainment hub with an outdoor kitchen so even the cook of the evening can be with the party.
One of the best ways to keep everyone warm, entertained, and well-fed is to incorporate a Fire Pit Table and attachable griddle into your backyard design. This allows you to roast fresh appetizers and prepare the night’s meal while your guests relax with you by the fire.
This unique design means the reversible cast iron griddle and stand can simultaneously serve as a cooking surface and a heat source by redirecting heat outwards rather than upwards. Because of this, no one has to awkwardly lean over the fire to stay warm.
Don’t Forget To Decorate
To really make your patio dining set feel complete, decorations are key. From string lights to green walls, there are many ways to transform your backyard into an outdoor oasis.
Save a seat for every party-goer with a 7-Seat Outdoor U-Sectional in teak, or tie the space together with a few environmentally friendly Outdoor Rugs.
When in doubt, ask an Outer design specialist about tips on maximizing space in a smaller yard without making everything feel crowded or how to brighten up an area that gets a lot of shade. Consultations are free and help you make the most of your yard!
Dine Outdoors With Outer
The perfect patio dining sets bring comfort and durability without sacrificing sustainability and functionality. Although many companies switch out one for another, we guarantee that every Outer product brings each of these elements and more.
Remember to look for features like removable table leaves, weather-resistant materials, and sustainable design that’s good for the environment.
If you’re ready for innovative outdoor furniture that reimagines how you can enjoy your backyard, visit Outer today and explore how the perfect outdoor furniture can help you ring in the spring season.