Patio Furniture Materials That Create A Relaxed, Laid-back Ambience

What can you do to enhance the relaxing atmosphere of your patio? The patio is a space that requires an open, spare feel - overdoing it on the decorations will only make it feel closed up and stuffy. So exploit the openness, and pick very few, well-chosen items for decoration and furnishing.

The most elegant solution for a patio is to have a set of patio furniture, possibly with a small plant on a centre-table. There are several materials you can use - teak, iron, plastic or wicker. All these materials are treated to be weather-proof, so you do not have to worry about damp or sun-induced brittleness.

Out of these, iron is likely to produce a stately, rigid effect. While it is excellent for patio use due to its unparalleled durability, it may not be the best choice for people who want to snuggle into their patio and let their hair down.

Secondly, there is plastic. Now plastic is cheap and versatile, but not very durable. This makes it a great choice for people who change preferences frequently, or change locations from time to time. Plastic can also be textured to look like wood, so if you want the wooden look for your patio but can't afford it, plastic is definitely the way to go. With plastic, the key to comfort is the molding. With a well-molded plastic recliner or a covered swing, you can experience Nirvana at your patio, any time you wish.

If you DO have the budget for wood, why not go for teak? It is durable and pleasing to the eye, as well as adding to the natural look of an outdoor space. For the laid-back look, you can opt for low, cushioned chairs around a glass-topped table. Low wooden stools can serve equally well as seats or footstools, or a space to keep your snacks as you throw down a rug and laze on the ground.

One of the best materials to relax in, though, has to be wicker. Wicker can be woven from rattan, bamboo, willow, reed or plastic. It stays at a temperature less extreme than the surroundings, which keeps you from burning up in summer or freezing in the nippy autumns. The classic Indian wicker chair has legs that splay apart, and a seat that is made of one smooth curve, sucking in your body and letting you relax into its cocoon-like comfort. Cheaper than wood, it is equally durable, making it an excellent value-for-money investment.

The key to a laid-back patio, however, does not lie in the material you pick. If a piece of furniture makes you want to settle down and take a nice nap as soon as you see it, that's the one for you. Plastic, teak, iron or wicker - it really doesn't matter.