Does your patio furniture bring out the best in your backyard, or does it look too much like everyone else’s? Maybe you have a uniquely shaped deck or patio where generic furniture just falls short. Possibly your yard is an attractive natural backdrop that cries out for special furnishings.

If you can’t find the patio set of your dreams at your local store or if you want something unique and different from your neighbors, it may be time to consider custom ordered patio furniture. And if you plan to enjoy that furniture this summer, now is the time to start working on your order!

Why Choose Custom Patio Furniture?

Custom patio furniture is made with the exact size, shape, material, color and pattern that you specify. You don’t have to settle for something that will “work OK.” If you want a table that’s a little longer or a patio sofa in a slightly different shade, you can have it!

Custom furniture gives you an outdoor space that’s unlike any other in the neighborhood. If there’s a unique niche on your deck, you can select a table that looks like it was built to go there, because it was! If you like to sit outside when you work from home, you can design an arrangement where everything you need is always at hand. If you want a big table and lots of chairs for family games and projects, just name the size and shape, and it’s yours.

These days, people are at home more than ever, and, if the weather is fine, they want to be outside. When outdoor furniture is fun, useful and suitable for the activities you like best, your deck, porch or patio is a delightful place to be! Whether you’re engaging in your favorite pastime or just relaxing and admiring your custom-designed furniture, every day outside becomes a special one.

You don’t have to design a patio from scratch to take advantage of custom ordering. Maybe you’re looking for a couple of special chairs or some distinctive cushions for the sofa you already have. Whether it’s a few items or an entire suite, the joy of custom furniture is only an order away.

Imagining Your New Patio

Some people have a good idea what they want their patio or deck to look like. Others just know that they’d prefer something different, and they’re hoping for inspiration. In either case, the place to start is by looking at as many examples as possible.

Visit showrooms and not only see, but also test the products for comfort they offer. Browse magazines and websites. Check out Pinterest, Instagram and other social media. Let your imagination run free. Sit on your favorite outdoor chair, close your eyes and visualize what you’d like to see when you open them.

Is there some new touch you’d like to add this year, perhaps a fire table or an outdoor rocker? Should your table be a different shape or your chairs a new color? If you can imagine it, you can order it.

Finalizing Your Designs

While you can custom order directly from a website, most people will find it far easier to work with a patio expert. They'll help you look at a variety of manufacturers and make suggestions to refine your design. They might make recommendations that you haven’t thought of like creating outdoor dining with a table from one manufacturer and the chairs from another. After all, they’ve seen what does and doesn’t work on a variety of patios.

It’s a good plan to start with an idea of what you’d like, possibly in the form of a sketch. This might show where the new items will go, size of spaces and some of the details about how they should look.

Patio Furniture the Way You Want It

With custom ordering, you can change the characteristics of your furniture to fit your unique requirements:

• Size and shape. There’s no reason to buy something too large or too small then force it to fit. Get the layout you prefer with the open space to make it comfortable.

• Materials. Consider how various metals, woods and recycled plastics look, and also consider their durability and ease of maintenance.

• Colors and patterns. Use customized upholstery and umbrellas to coordinate, to match, to contrast or even to extend your indoor color scheme. Maybe you want a pop of a favorite color that identifies the space as uniquely yours.

• Style. Do you want your patio to build on your indoor design, or would you prefer to step into a different theme when you open the back door? There are furniture styles that support both choices.

Order Soon!

Supply chain issues continue to be a factor, and lead times are still longer than people would like. If you want your patio or deck to be ready for a graduation party or summer wedding reception, there’s not much time to spare.

Even if you’re just looking for upgrades to your current furniture, such as replacement cushions and seat pads, lead times can run four to six weeks, even if you order early. As the season gets closer, that may extend to eight to 12 weeks.

Here’s a possible bonus to visiting your outdoor furniture store right away: often there are bargains on floor samples, and you may find a pleasantly priced surprise that matches what you had in mind or inspiration for the beginning of your project.

While you’re ordering furniture, don’t forget about protective covers. They extend the life of furniture that has to sit outside in the elements and through the winter. If there isn’t a stock covering that will fit, custom patio furniture covers can be ordered in many sizes and shapes.