Thinking of what patio furniture to have in your patio? Not sure what would be suitable and what not? Well, there are many furniture sets you could have in your patio, from the very basics such as benches, chairs and dining tables, to more fancy furniture such as gliders, rocking chairs, hammocks or even swings. People who love to spend time outdoors in their gardens and on their patios would naturally want some comfortable furniture they can have to relax in and something that would also look good, and wicker outdoor furniture does just that. The furniture is timeless, classic and can blend in well with practically any sort of home decor you can think of because wicker outdoor furniture is somehow simple, yet still classic and the classic look is one that never goes out of style.

There is another material used in the design of wicker furniture. Though somewhat similar to wicker, rattan is actually obtained from the rattan pole. The outer layer of the rattan pole is removed and rattan peel is obtained. This rattan peel is then sorted out according to size and length, and then used to create various furniture designs. By mixing the thick and thin rattan peels together, many different patterns can be created, thus ensuring a large variety of rattan designed furniture.

It is common to mistake wicker outdoor furniture and rattan furniture as being the same. However, there are subtle differences between the two, and while rattan is a natural wooden material, wicker is made up of other substances such as willow, straw, grasses, and even banana leafs. However, both wicker and rattan are often used together to create outdoor patio furniture, and it is common to see wicker woven over a rattan frame, inculcating different materials to create one whole furniture set.

Coming under the category of patio furniture, we explore the various designs that patio cushions come in. Patio cushions should match your patio style, providing an aesthetically pleasing view from an external point of view. The most common cushions are:

-    Boxed-Button tuft
-    French Seam Button tuft
-    Cartridge
-    Deep Seating
-    Wicker
-    Wrought Iron

To add variety to patio cushions, there are many quirky designs such as button tufts, which are plastic buttons sewn onto the surface of the cushion, thus holding onto the fabric and cushion filling, for a tufted outlook. Sewn buttons in another manner can be added onto the cushion as well. To further create different designs, topstitches and ties can be incorporated into the design. Matching fabric similar to the cushion’s main fabric can be inserted into the cushion seams, and other techniques like piping, welding or even cording can be used to add a nicer, finished appearance to the cushion.

The outdoors is exposed to all sorts of weather elements, such as wind, rain and shine and when you keep your patio furniture outdoors, definitely it is going to require a lot more care and attention that the furniture which you keep indoors. This is because when it is outside, your furniture is exposed to all the elements and all sorts of weather that is going to hit your area. Proper care and maintenance can ensure that your furniture lasts you as long as possible, and contrary to what you might think, you can really just employ simple basic care techniques on a regular basis which can still help too.

Patio umbrellas, an outdoor patio heater and outdoor patio cushions too will need a lot of care and attention, much like the rest of the furniture because they are kept outdoors. Remember any outdoor furniture needs special care and attention to it. When not in use, cover it up so at least it get some form of protection, especially if it is out in the garden or an un-shaded porch. Leaving your furniture entirely exposed to the heat, wind and rain will only serve to damage it faster so keep it protected wherever possible.

Your furniture should get a little sun every now and again because your furniture is kept outdoors, it will get damp slightly even if it is kept in the shade. It will get slightly wet somewhat, or get dampened by the morning mildew so sun out your furniture once a week perhaps. Be sure it gets direct sunlight so that it gets completely dry. Cushion covers and tablecloths outside should be hand washed if possible because they are delicate material and putting them in the machine might cause a little wear and tear on it. Practice these simple tips and you’ll be amazed at how long your furniture can last you.