During the summer months when the weather is nice there’s nothing better than lounging around outside and soaking up the sun. Times like those are a great time to invite some friends over for a lunch party or just to relax outside. Having a nice patio set can not only make your deck or porch look fantastic but it can also provide space where you and your guests can have a seat and enjoy nature, grilling up lunch or sipping on drinks. With so many different kinds of sets to choose from, here are some pointers on different kinds of patio sets.

There are two big factors in choosing a patio set: how often/many guests you plan to have over and the average weather in your area. If you’re one for parties then make sure you choose a patio set with enough chairs and a spacious enough table. An umbrella for those sunny days can make the difference between a pleasant party and making your guests look like lobsters. Also, make sure not to overfill your patio or deck with a large set or you risk making it hard to move around and you make your space look cluttered. Not everyone needs a large set either, sometimes just a small table and chairs set will work in a medium or smaller space.

You also need to look at your average weather, which boils down to whether or not you mind leaving your patio set outside all the time. If your weather is prone to fluctuate wildly between sun and rain or wind, you may either want to get a set made of a weather resistant material (like metal or plastic) or decide how often you’d like it to be set up. Wood patio sets look nice, but leaving it in the rain could cause you to need to replace pieces of it if they become damaged. Regardless of weather or size, adding a nice set of patio furniture can add style and functionality to your outdoor space.