Everyone dreams of having that really comfortable space outdoors that everybody else will envy you for.  Whether it is on the balcony, patio, by the pool or a whole porch, having that area where people can just relax and sit around without feeling cloistered indoors is ideal for a little “escape” once in a while.
If your area is by the pool, then, unlike many, you have a lot more space to play around with.  This means you are the lucky few who can actually indulge in patio umbrellas.   These can be easily constructed when necessary and discreetly shut down at other times.  Patio umbrellas also come in various colors and designs, and today, even in different shapes.  You have your choice of rectangular or round umbrellas, and you can also decide to either get them on their own or with matching seating sets.
Sometimes, to add comfort, you need to add heat so consider a patio heater to take care of those chilly nights.  Ideally, your heater should be high up enough to be able to emanate enough heat downwards and around.  If your space is too small and a built-in patio heater will make it too stuffy for everyone, opt for a portable patio heater which can be moved about so the heat is not confined to one specific spot only.  These portable heaters are also practical for small crowds and can be shifted to be closer to the more fragile guests, like babies and the elderly, who may feel the chill more than others.
The right type of outdoor furniture material is also essential.  Picking furniture materials that do not succumb to the weather conditions are ideal – plastic and metal can get really hot under the sun while aluminum is really icy after the rain or in cold weather.  The best materials for outdoor furniture are bamboo, rattan, wood and wicker as they get neither too hot nor too cold, no matter what the weather.
Of these, wicker patio furniture sets are usually the most inexpensive.  Being a manufactured material, wicker is easily found which means they can be replaced easily, if necessary, and this helps to maintain its reasonable pricing.  As it is durable, wicker does not show up scratches easily and even if it were scratched, would not look unsightly.
Getting comfortable outdoor furniture is also a must.  Some common uncomfortable features to watch out for in wicker patio furniture sets are:
1.    Chairs that are hard on the spine and rear end.  Not only are they unpleasant to endure, they could be bad for you at the end of the day.
2.    Wooden tables and chairs that have huge gaps in between the wood slates.  These do not provide enough support for your body and can leave you holding up your own weight unconsciously.
3.    Armrests on chairs that are too high.  The armrest is exactly for that – resting the arms.  If they are too high, it actually stresses out the arm muscles and tires them out.  Before long, you and your guests will find that your arms will start aching.  Long-term abuse can lead to real muscle stress.
4.    Unstable furniture.  Chairs, tables, even poufs may have manufacturing defects that render them a little uneven.  While you may think it fun to rock to and fro on unstable furniture, this is actually quite stressful for your leg and thigh muscles, not to mention your back, which has to constantly be on alert to maintain stability.
5.    Patio umbrellas that shade too much, or angled wrongly.  Casting a shadow over the page of the book you are reading or writing on will damage your eyes in the long run.  To counter this, pick tilt patio umbrellas that can be adjusted to suit whichever position you are in.
To dress up your wicker patio furniture, just pick the appropriate outdoor patio cushions.
These can be in any shape and design you wish – remember, though, that these are outdoor cushions so they need to be as durable as the furniture.  Choose outdoor patio cushions that are made of foam or memory foam, as these can retain their shape quickly after a wash and last longer.  As for covers, choose materials like cotton and polyester that can wash and dry fast, and can be cleaned of stains more quickly than other materials.  This helps you to cut down on maintenance time and cost.