And according to Calgary’s patio furniture experts, today’s trends in patio décor are all about comfort and style.

Marie Svindt, of Patioline Imports, a local retailer specializing in teak, says one option for condo dwellers is to limit seating to a bistro table and a couple of chairs—especially anything that folds up, stacks or pares down for storage.

“If you don’t have a lot of space you may just want a chair and an ottoman, or a couple of chairs and a side table,” she says, adding tables that fold, such as a circular version that morphs to a half-moon, or a square which flops over like a TV table are great options.

Svindt suggests a bar-height teak table for anyone with railings at eye level that can obscure views. And pieces that do double-duty, such as benches with comfy weather-resistant cushions, which can provide separate seating or spots for a couple at a table are also popular this season. Also in the interest of ease of care and use, teak left untreated turns a silvery patina naturally, while contoured benches and chairs eliminate the need for cushions—and space to stow them.

Especially high-rise dwellers, furniture weight is crucial to prevent patio wares from becoming weapons in high winds. A similar awareness also extends to umbrellas, says Svindt, who advises not only choosing a smaller-diameter version, such as six feet versus nine, but also ensuring parasols are down when unattended. Nothing makes for bad neighbour relations like an umbrella hurling through the air—or through a window.

Classic Adirondack chairs—with their characteristic sloping backs and wide arms ideal for holding glassware—are also a good choice for patios or balconies, because they too can be left outdoors. “You can have these out for years, especially if they are teak, and either let them weather or seal them to protect the colour,” says Svindt.

When it comes to teak, the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies. Priced from a few hundred dollars, to a few thousand, Svindt says teak sets can become a family heirloom, and be passed down for generations, when treated properly.

And for anyone who likes the classic Adirondack look without the maintenance, convincing wood-look choices are available in the iconic cottage seat, in hues from red to yellow. “You are combining something that has a traditional look, but with technology, and with the colours available you are not seeing something everyone else has,” says Corrine Palmer, sales manager at Kitchen & Patio.

A wide array of synthetics now offers plenty of options, mimicking everything from wicker to metal, and even leather. “Obviously you would never use leather outside, but it’s that idea of using what you would indoors and pulling it outside,” says Palmer.

Palmer says, while some prefer a patio bistro set, condo owners needn’t be afraid to show their softer side because of space restraints. “In a restricted space, we are finding tables are at an in-between height, somewhere between a coffee table and a traditional table.”

She says many are mirroring their interior style, choosing a small seating group that would look as at-home indoors as on a patio, with rich weatherproof fabrics and splashes of colour. “It doesn’t look like a beach anymore,” Palmer muses, adding Kitchen & Patio has responded to the huge demand with its own line of deep-seating combinations.

Again, cost runs the gamut from the hundreds to the thousands, but people are willing to shell out for their outdoor oases, says Palmer. “The price points are higher but it’s investment furniture,” she says. “Of course it’s going to have a higher pricetag because of everything it has to stand up to—rain, wind and dust.”

Greenery is always an inexpensive way to add colour and ambience to a patio, whether with a few hanging baskets or flower boxes bringing some life to the concrete space, Svindt notes. “I know if it was me I would want some greenery, maybe some flower boxes, either in teak or iron.” Meanwhile, since patio revellers are often left in the dark by an absence of outdoor fixtures, teak lamps are just another way to warm up the space. “They are fully weather-resistant and make perfect sense,” she adds.

And for those who would rather enjoy the view of passersby or the city skyline, Svindt suggests bar-height tables with some higher stools or chairs over a traditional-height table, which can leave those seated with an air of missing something.

When maintaining teak, the experts advise only using products made for the wood to get the longest life out of your furniture. “I never recommend using oil on your furniture. If you ever had a mould problem it would just exacerbate it, and because it has a high shine it will attract the dust and build up on your furniture,” says Svindt, who suggests anyone who prefers teak in its original shades of blonde and amber use a teak sealant once a year and cover it for the winter.

Keith Schramm, owner of Wickerland, says the store draws much of its business from condo owners. “We specialize in smaller furniture,” he says.

While traditional wicker is made of natural materials weaved together—which Schramm advises against its use outdoors—“wicker resin” is a popular option that gives the rich appearance of wicker but the durability of polypropylene and is attractive enough to second as indoor seating. “We always say it’s for indoors or outdoors,” he says, adding the faux wood comes in a choice of three hues (mocha, java, or white).

But the wicker imposters also carry their weight for patio use. “They all have a heavy-gauge aluminum frame, which makes them great for outdoors because it won’t rust. It also has a UV protection, which means it won’t fade in the sun,” explains Schramm.

As “deep seating” has become a mantra, resin wicker seating also comes with cushions covered in weather-resistant fabric, such as Sunbrella, in literally hundreds
of patterns.

While buyers looking to land a set can often get a package deal, often those in close quarters may be just eyeing an item or two. Wicker resin choices include bistro tables, with chairs to match ranging from gliders to comfy armchairs, starting at around $300 for a three-piece combo, up to a few thousand for those lucky enough to have space for a seven-piece set.

And perhaps its best attribute, wicker resin is easy to clean with a power-washer or hose, Schramm notes.


For more information, visit
www.patioline.ca
www.kitchenpatio.com
www.wickerland.ca