After you have made your plans for the composition of your outdoor living spaces, you may begin considering the decorative accents and furnishings such as wood patio furniture. Like all the other the decorative features of your garden and deck, the tables, chairs, benches, and other wood patio furniture provide a natural look and define the practical functions of your outdoor living spaces. Wood patio furniture will influence the overall mood and style that you want to express and emphasize.

When you shop for wood patio furniture, prepare to make an investment. Your common sense will be your best guide in making your choices. You will find as many styles of wood patio furniture as the furniture for your dining room. With so many possibilities, you’ll need to have clear ideas of what you want to achieve with your wood patio furniture.

Purpose

If your patio is meant to become an entertaining or eating area, you’ll need at least two tables and enough chairs and benches for your usual number of family and friends. You’ll want the wood patio furniture to be durable and easy to clean. But for a private retreat, wood patio furniture designed more for style and comfort should be preferred. As children’s play space, you’ll need wood patio furniture that provide entertainment value but also assure safety and sturdiness.

Size

Another thing to take into account before you start shopping for wood patio furniture is to measure the space where you plan to place the outdoor furniture to pick the appropriate sizes. The table should give you four feet of free space on each side, to allow free movement of the guests.

Durability

You should also decide whether or not you plan to put the wood patio furniture away at the end of the fall because you will have to consider the strength of construction and the type of wood used on the wood patio furniture. If you intend to leave the wood patio furniture permanently outside, wood patio furniture made from hardwoods, like oak, elm, or teak, are ideal because these woods are weather-resistant and your wood patio furniture will acquire a wholesome patina with age.

Wood patio furniture using softwoods such as pine and cedar will not last as long as hardwood. You’ll have to paint them regularly or treat them with preservative. Despite treatment, they will tend to warp after a few years. Softwood patio furniture is much cheaper and there may be good arguments for buying cheap wood patio furniture. You can paint them in bright colors and use them until they fall apart or you tire of them – at which point you can then get a new set of wood patio furniture with fresh designs.

Generally, wood patio furniture simply glued together has very short life-span. This type of wood patio furniture may be good only for one season. Thus, before you buy wood patio furniture, make sure that the wood patio furniture is well-constructed. There should be no ‘sway’ in the wood patio furniture joints when rocked; dovetail or mortise-and-tenon joints should be preferred. If the wood patio furniture has metal fittings, specify non-corrosive steel or brass fittings. Polyurethane finishes on wood patio furniture will soon peel off.

Maintenance

Wood patio furniture should be washed with mild detergent and brush at least once a year. Nourish wood patio furniture with a coating of teak oil, or equivalent, to condition the wood. Also apply oil to the metal fittings on wood patio furniture to prevent them from ‘bleeding’. Durable and well-maintained wood patio furniture would certainly serve the purpose of any activity you want to do outdoors.