Follow The Frugal Designer's guide
to buying Patio
Furniture and
get an outdoor
patio that you
love at a price
you love even
more.
Not sure
what you want?
We'll help you
decide. Not
sure where to
buy? We'll point
you in the right
direction. We'll
even tell you
how to buy!
BEFORE YOU BUY:
Plan your space.
Take the
time to
measure and
map out your
patio. Also
determine
how you want
to use the space.
Use the Design
Tips to help
put your outdoor
room together
and make a list
of the pieces
and sizes you
need. The
Frugal Designer
knows that proper
planning leads
to getting the
best deals.
If you know
what you need
and in what
size, you can
snatch up that
great deal when
you find it.
WHAT TO BUY:
Dining
Area: keep the dining
area as
intimate
as possible.
Outdoor spaces
should be informal
and easy. Keep
the formal indoors.
 -Dining
Table: you'll
get more
bang for
your buck
with a square
table. Buy
a table with
a classic
style so if
you need a larger table
in the future
you can simply
buy another
to extend
your square
into a rectangle. A square table
also allows
the use of
benches. Two chairs and
two benches
will fit around a square table
and fit two
adults and
four children.
Lastly, invest
in your table. This is one
of two patio
pieces where
you want to
buy the best you can afford.
Our
recommendation:
Oxford
Garden
42 inch
Square Outdoor Dining
Table. from
PatioFurnitureUSA.com. Check
Price.
 -Dining
Chairs: don't
be afraid to mix it up. When buying
patio chairs on sale or clearance it's
a lot easier to find a pair of chairs
rather than a set of four. You can
easily tie the chairs together with
matching cushions and quite frankly,
it's just more interesting than four
matching chairs. Our choice for versatility,
again, is two chairs and two benches.
Our
recommendation:
Bench: Woodland
Harvest Collection Backless Bench from Benches.com. Check
Price.
Chairs:
Eden Outdoor C-2308 - Barcelona
Folding Arm Chairs (Set of 2) from Teak Wicker
and More . Check
Price.
 -Dining
Sets: look for a good
quality set on sale mid to end of summer.
Stretch your dollar by
following our advice and buying a set
with a square table and purchasing
two additional benches. The two
left over chairs can then be used
for the conversation area.
Our Recommendation:
Oxford
Garden Classic Patio
Dining Set - Seats 4 from
PatioFurnitureUSA.com. Check
Price.
Conversation
Area: adding a
conversation
area to your
patio in addition
to a dining
area will
double the function of your outdoor
space. Even if it's
just two
chairs and a table
try to add a seating
area. It
will provide a cozy
and intimate area that a dining space cannot.
 -Conversation
Area Sets: contrary
to our advice
with dining room
sets, we advise
to purchase your conversation area pieces as a set. You can get a good
quality stylish set with a love
seat, two chairs, coffee table,
AND the cushions for under $700.
You just can't get that kind of
a deal if you purchase everything
separately. They key when buying
your conversation set is that you
don't need to buy the most stylish
set - buy an economical set with
a basic color and lines. If following
our advice, you will be accessorizing
this area, so the set will serve
as your core furnishings, the accessories
will provide the style.
Our
recommendation:
Melbourne
6-Piece
Deep Seating
Set from
Shop.com.
Includes
coffee table,
2 armchairs,
2 cushioned
ottomans
and a love
seat. Great
Deal! Check
Price.
 -Conversation
Area Accessories:
just like your
indoor rooms,
your outdoor
room should be
accessorized
to provide ambience
and personality.
A definite must
is an outdoor rug - it will anchor your conversation area and define
the space. In addition, you need
to add lighting. All rooms need proper
lighting - including your outdoor
room - so add some task as well
as accent lighting. Our first choice
is outdoor solar lighting. If you
live in an area with decent sunlight
these are great to use for accent
lights. Lastly, accessorize your
conversation area with some color.
Pillows and throws (for those chilly
nights) let you add some of your
own personality as well.
Our
Recommendation:
Rug: Couristan
Five Seasons South Padre
Indoor/Outdoor Rug - Cream/Blue from
PatioFurnitureUSA.com. Check
Price.
 -Umbrella: don't
forget to add
some sun control!
Our first choice
is a good quality
market umbrella.
This is the second
piece you want
to buy as much
quality as you
can afford. If
you can, go for
a 9', canvas,
double tier market
umbrella. For
ease of use make
sure it has a
crank (rather
than pulley) and
has a tilt-option.
We like these free-standing (rather than in the middle of a table)
between a dining area and
conversation area so it lends
some sun control to both
areas. Don't forget to buy
the stand - these are usually
extra. Stands can be found
at really great discounts
at the end of the summer
season.
Our
Recommendation:
Umbrella
9-ft. Deluxe Tilt Aluminum Market Umbrella from PatioFurnitureUSA.com. Check
Price.
 -Fireplace
or Firepit: the ultimate
in ambience for your outdoor patio
is a fireplace. For safety and convenience
(and to comply with most city ordinances)
we recommend a propane fire
pit. Also get one that can accommodate
a full-size propane tank. These can
be a be a bit pricey but we found
a great coffee-table model for less
than half of what we've seen in stores.
Our
Recommendation:
Uniflame GAD860SP
- LP Gas Outdoor Firebowl with Slate Mantel from CSN
Fireplaces. Check
Price.
HOW TO BUY:
Buy Online.
The Frugal Designer knows that the best deals
and selection are found online. This
is especially true of seasonal items,
such as Patio Furniture. The key to buying
online is knowing where and how to shop.
We've been shopping and finding the best
deals online for years. Use our tips
below to find the best deals.
-Use Online Coupons. Always use a coupon when
shopping online. There are two kinds
of coupons - discount coupons and free
shipping coupons. You can find both kinds
of Patio Furniture coupons
here at
the TheFrugalDesigner.com. How to use
coupon codes:
Step 1. Make
note of the coupon code, if any.
Step 2. Simply click "use
this coupon" -
this will take you to the store
for that coupon (will also activate
the coupon if one isn't needed).
Step 3. When checking
out enter the coupon code (again, if
any) in the promo code or coupon code
field.
-Combine Sale Items with Online Coupons - the Double
Deal .
This is the key to shopping online and
a secret of The Frugal Designer for years.
In order to get a Double Deal you typically need a coupon
code. When there is no coupon code
then usually the 'coupon' price is
reflected in the sale price (with
Free Shipping, however, you just need
to meet the minimum purchase amounts).
So pay special attention - when you see
a coupon code listed - this means you
will get the sale price listed on TheFrugalDesigner
AND the discount from the coupon when
you purchase - the Double Deal!
Shopping on TheFrugalDesigner where everything is always 30%
off or more - is a great place to start
when looking for Double Deals. See
all our Outdoor item in the left menu.
You can browse sale items and view all
the coupons available - both for discounts
and free shipping - all in the same place.
Start with the stores we know have great
patio furniture deals:
-Great Double Deals on The Frugal Designer:
PatioFurnitureUSA.com
AdriondackChairs.com
BeachChairs.com
Hammocks.com
PatioUmbrellas.com
WHERE TO BUY:
Additionally, the following sites are our recommendations for
the best patio furniture clearance and
discounts:
Home Decorators Collection - Outlet
Target.com
The
Great Indoors
So, go create a fabulous and frugal patio. Remember,
you can do it and you can save!
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