With the days getting longer and the Mercury rising, it is time to migrate outside and start spending more time on our patios or decks.

Connie Leidal, general manager of Chintz and Company in Calgary (Chintz also has an Edmonton location) says, “the outdoors is an extension of your home—part of your living space,” so the trend in patio furniture of late is to customize that living space with comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture that would be worthy of indoors.

Patios are becoming true outdoor living space, so with that come comfortable sectionals, stylish tables for outdoor dining and even outdoor rugs and lanterns sprouting up as low-maintenance options. And when it comes to outdoor furniture, especially on condo balconies where wind is a key consideration, buyers want quality and ease of care.

Joyce Theander, manager of Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Patio in Edmonton says in tables, the staple of every balcony, “most people are going away from glass. They want low-maintenance, something you can just hose off.” Easy-care resin tables with cast aluminum frames and mildew proof fabrics are being offered by most of the major manufacturers.

For seating, turning your patio or balcony into an outdoor oasis is now well within reach with chaise lounges and deep-seating pieces available in scores of colours. “Chat groupings” are easily arranged around a low-rise table, to provide the perfect setting for relaxing with family and friends.

Outdoor seating is also getting personal, with custom-made cushions, says Leidal. “We have really good outdoor fabric and can make any colour,” she adds. Cane-line, a leading manufacturer of patio furnishings carried at Chintz and Company, features rattan-resembling hand-wickered products made of synthetic fibres, making them flexible, pliable and easy to maintain for years.

Corrine Palmer of Kitchen and Patio in Calgary says decking out a condo balcony, no matter your style, comes down to “bringing the indoors out,” and patio furniture has evolved to meet such consumer needs.

Taking their inspiration from the tropics, bright hues and bold patterns are hot for 2008. Lime, turquoise, yellow, mandarin, tangerine, orange, vibrant greens, black and white as well as neutral shades are huge this year. It is all about “adding a lot of fun” and even co-ordinating with indoor schemes and decor for a smooth transition in and out, says Palmer.

And dining outdoors has gone upscale with traditional-looking tables and chairs made from easy-care resin or teak. Mesh, ketlar and faux stone are also gaining favour as choices for table mediums.

Manufacturers are responding to the growing condo market by providing “vertical living” inspired collections with a small patio or deck in mind. “The theme is comfort on a smaller scale,” says Palmer.

While size matters, what you want to do and which way you face are also important factors says Leidal. And lifestyle also plays a significant role, as do “quality, attention to detail, warranty and colour options,” says Palmer.
Eating at an elevated height on bar-height chairs is an up-and-coming option for the condo dweller, as these types of tables allow diners to see over balcony railings, and generally have a smaller footprint, another plus for pared patios.
To shield the sun, brightly-coloured and adjustable umbrellas with an arm off to the side are increasingly replacing the traditional vertical style. But when opting for an outdoor parasol, the experts suggest opting for those made of

Sunbrella, a colourfast fabric that does not fade, is durable and comes in a variety of hues and patterns. With the changing weather in Alberta, patio furniture experts will all agree to use umbrellas responsibly—and to take them down, or even secure flatly on the patio when unattended.

You likely wouldn’t buy a bed or couch without testing it first, so Theander recommends you “take your coat off and sit on it. This is very important because if you are going to sit, you want to be comfortable and know that there is lumbar support.”

The home design associates at most patio furniture stores are very knowledgeable about their products and customer needs.

And it’s not necessary to shell out a lot of money to turn your patio into an outdoor oasis. By selecting a few quality pieces you will be able to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle for many years to come, on any budget. If cost is a concern, there’s no reason not to deck out your outdoor digs in style and comfort—you can find mid-range priced products at the large-box stores, such as The Home Depot and RONA. Canadian Tire also carries a fair selection of patio furniture in all the latest colours and styles.