Outdoor decorating has become an important element in the home these days.  With the only boundaries being your imagination, a patio, poolside, balcony or porch can now be transformed from a dowdy, so-so place to a cozy, even sophisticated outdoor den.
One of the best things about outdoor decorating is that, unlike indoor decorating, fixtures for the outside do not have to be super-expensive or be made of luxurious material to feel or look good.  Sometimes, older stuff or hand-me-downs look better than new ones because they have that homey, well-used look.  Some patio furniture, like rocking chairs and coffee tables actually feel more comfortable if used before.
When choosing outdoor furnishings, make sure they are:
1.    Durable and weather-resistant.  There is no point investing in outdoor furnishings if they have to be replaced on a yearly basis.
2.    Low maintenance.  Sooner or later, you are going to have to do some refurbishing or repair work.  If absolutely necessary, you want to do as little as possible to cut down on costs and replacement.  Bear in mind as well that you will be too busy with other aspects of your life to worry about your outdoor furniture looking spick and span at all times.
3.    Value for money.  While cheap works really well for the pocket, be warned it may mean constant repairing or quick replacement.  Sometimes, paying more for something could be well worth its investment.  So be sure to weight all possible consequences before making that purchase.
4.    Easily accessible.  Nothing is worse than wanting to replace a broken part or fix something which cannot be found.  You do not ever want to face the hassle of having to travel somewhere or having to pay exorbitant shipping charges for one broken or replacement part.  This includes paint as well – choosing a truly exotic color that can only be derived by specific mixes of three different paints is well and good, only until you have to do a repair paint job later.
Wicker outdoor furniture suits any type of outdoor furnishing perfectly as it is durable, reasonably priced and requires little or low maintenance for many years.  To give it a unique, personal touch, add a patio cushion or four.  Dress them up in multi colors (make sure your patio cushion covers are just as durable as your furniture and cushions) and you would have added a nice, colorful accent to your overall look.
To find the perfect wicker outdoor furniture, it may be necessary to visit more than just one furniture store.  Sometimes, NOT going to a wicker-specializing store will offer you a gem of a piece so do not confine your search to only outlets selling wicker.  Keep an open mind – you never know what treasures you can find anywhere.
Purchasing patio furniture is considered a long-term investment.  It will take many months or a few years to perfect the look by adding a piece of two here and there (and changing their positions ever so often), so you want to take your time in picking out the pieces and their accessories.  Even picking covers for your patio cushions should not be a rush deal – the wrong material, shade or size will cost you later.
This is why it is important to get personal testimonies from people you know or magazines for quick tips on how to resolve a particular issue.  For instance, unless you have a painter who will be bothered to tell you when you make a painting error, you might just use glossy paint on a wall with lights.  Any professional interior designer will tell you this should not be done – unless you can guarantee a super smooth paint job as the light will just highlight any uneven strokes or paint residue.
You may or may not include a patio umbrella in your furnishing.  This depends, of course, on whether or not your outdoor space has shelter.  If unsheltered, you will need to seriously consider a patio umbrella, if not for anything else, just for some comfort during really hot days and rainy seasons.  Patio umbrellas will also come in handy to provide some cover from the first drops of snow.
Whatever you decide on for your outdoor space, it should have your personal mark on it – be it color, theme or design.  As long as you make durability a priority, your patio furniture will be a joy.