Sectionals

Sectionals have made a big splash in the market over the past four to five years, coinciding with the increased interest in conversation seating. The sectional is an excellent choice to maximize your outdoor space, allowing you to choose individual components (or modules) for your specific space and needs. As such, sectionals are well suited to smaller spaces and give your backyard a trendy and modern look. Add a front ottoman to a sectional to create a chaise lounge for you to relax and stretch your legs. The ottoman can also be separated from the sectional and used for additional seating, similar to a bench.

Dining

Dining sets are always in style and are still a very important part of the outdoor space. With so many options for table size and chair design, the combinations are endless, from sleek modern configurations to more ornate traditional designs, in almost any material, including stainless steel and teak. Resin wicker dining sets are very popular and can serve to soften a backyard with a lot of hardscaping, while cast aluminum pieces add sophistication and can enhance a modern space. No matter what material you choose, odds are you can find the perfect design to help enhance and highlight your backyard esthetic.

Daybeds

The daybed is another relatively new addition to the outdoor world, one that used to occupy the realm of wishful thinking. Imagine lounging on a large round or rectangular daybed, covered with a retractable fabric canopy or loose fabric drapery. As these grandiose pieces, once dismissed by retailers due to their size and relative impracticality, continue to gain popularity, more designs are flooding the market. Remember, however, that adding a daybed to your oasis will require sacrificing a good chunk of your outdoor space—though some would say this is a small price to pay for the ultimate in relaxation.

Chaise loungers

Chaise loungers are another popular choice, especially as an accent to a backyard pool. These backyard staples are well suited to any outdoor space, similar to dining or conversation sets. Also, if chosen wisely, chaise lounges can be among the most comfortable pieces of outdoor furniture in your backyard. There are also seemingly limitless design and material options.

Enjoying your outdoor room

With so many options to choose from, outdoor furniture can truly help you ‘bring the indoors outdoors.’ Though the choices may seem overwhelming, a little knowledge and some comparison shopping will help you find the pieces you need to create your ideal outdoor room, where you can relax and enjoy the best summer has to offer.

Nick Candeloro is partner and product specialist at Southport Outdoor Living, a backyard product retailer located in Vaughan, Ont. For more information, visit www.southportoutdoor.com.