Patio Dining Set Buying Tips

Who doesn't want to dine outdoors through summer days? Have you finally made up your mind to buy the perfect patio dining set, but are still not sure what to look for? Here are a few tips that might help you make an educated purchase.

Make sure you have enough space. Dining sets require space, so before purchasing anything take a measuring tape and measure the area you will use for your dining set.

Assess number of guests. Every family is different in size. Think about how many people you would like to serve -- it may be a dining set for four, six, eight, ten or twelve depending on your needs.

Choose a table shape and size. Depending on the amount of space you have, you might want a square, round, rectangle or oval table. Round and oval tables are better for smaller areas because they don't have corners, so they will save you space.

Think about storage. When summer is over you might want to store your dining set, if so then you need to think of storage options. Look for stacking options, weight or collapsibility while shopping around. If you choose to leave your furniture outside during the off-season you can always use a patio furniture cover.

Choose a color scheme. Select a color for your dining set. Go outside and look at the space you'll use to make sure your choice of color will fit.

Decide if you want cushions. You need to decide if you want cushions on your dining chairs. If you don't like maintaining cushions then you should look for sling chairs or chairs that can be used without cushions. The advantage of having cushions is the added comfort, they can also add color and elegance to your dining area.

Find out if assembly is required. Make sure you know if the furniture set you ordered needs assembly or not. Most dining tables require assembly, but most dining chairs do not require assembly. If the product description doesn't specify the assembly requirements, it might be advantageous to call and ask.

Ask for type of delivery. Dining sets are usually big and bulky so the delivery can be problematic depending on your available area and what set you purchase. It might be wise to call and ask exactly how the furniture will be delivered; it can be with a freight carrier, which will be a curbside delivery. If this is the case then you will need help at home to carry the furniture from the curbside.

Choose a material. Choose a material and design that will suit your taste: below are the pros and cons of each material.

Outdoor Wicker Dining Sets: Furniture with aluminum frame and synthetic woven wicker wrapped around.

Pros:
- Aluminum frames are durable and rust free.
- Wide variety of modern or classic designs.
- Synthetic materials won't fade.
- Light in weight.
- Minimal maintenance.
- Easy to clean.
- Tables usually have glass top.
Cons:
- Require cushions for better comfort.
- Woven material might break and unravel.
- Aluminum frames might break from joints.
- High pricing.

Resin Dining Sets: White plastic patio dining furniture that is widely available.

Pros:
- Resin plastic is ultra-durable.
- Can be used with or without cushions.
- Light in Weight. Easy to carry.
- Inexpensive.
- No Maintenance. Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Require cushions for better comfort.
- Usually offered in white color.
- Wind might knock them down.
- Impossible to fix if broken.

Teak Dining Sets: Teak wood dining sets bring an earthy look for all wood lovers.

Pros:
- Teak wood is strong and durable for outdoors.
- Doesn't get too hot under sun.
- Beautiful earthy looks.
- Minimal assembly.
Cons:
- Requires periodic maintenance such as oiling.
- Requires cushions.
- Heavy.
- Hard to fix if broken.

Recycled Plastic Dining Sets: These are recycled plastic dining sets.

Pros:
- Ultra strong and durable.
- Wide variety of designs.
- No maintenance.
- Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Very Heavy.
- Bulky.
- Requires cushions.
- Assembly required for all items.

Patio Dining Set Buying Tips

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