Outfitting a circular patio, deck, or lanai presents special challenges, but with careful planning you can transform this outdoor space into an inviting area suitable for dining, relaxing and entertainment.
Modular furniture can help create multiple outdoor activity zones. For instance, some modular chairs can transform into backless benches and chaise lounges to allow you to set up reading or napping areas.
Choosing the Right Seating Sets
When it comes to furnishing a circular patio, selecting pieces that complement its layout while providing comfortable seating for activities. Patio furniture sets may include lounge chairs, sofas and multi-piece modular outdoor sectional sofas with durable designs for year-round use. Accent furniture and decor complete the seating arrangement and come in various materials that match different styles.
When purchasing patio dining sets, take into account how many people you plan to seat at once. Two chairs and a table can make for intimate conversations or dinner for two; six- to nine-piece tables provide more seating capacity and are great for large gatherings as well as casual entertaining. Some dining sets even come equipped with swivel chairs so that conversation can continue long after dining has concluded!
If you plan to host regular outdoor entertaining events, select a set that includes sturdy outdoor coffee and side tables. These tables make keeping drinks and appetizers at hand easy while offering extra seating space when guests may arrive late for your festivities.
An outdoor wicker chair or loveseat can add an attractive texture to your patio, so look for one with designs that suit your personal aesthetic and select cushioned seats that provide long periods of sitting comfort.
Table umbrellas are a timeless patio classic, providing essential sun protection as well as offering shaded spots for lounging during warm temperatures. Available in an array of colors and patterns to complement any patio furniture style – teak patio furniture is especially well suited for tropical-themed layouts or breezy coastal themes; plus natural teak stands up well against humid environments.
Choosing the Right Tables
No doubt about it: circular patio furniture adds an exquisite look to any backyard, deck or porch. But its unique shape can present some furnishing challenges. Circular patios lack the 90* angles found in traditional furniture pieces, so it is essential to carefully plan and execute your seating and table layout before purchasing any chairs or dining tables. Otherwise, you risk ending up with something that doesn’t blend in properly with your curved patio area. Avoid this costly misstep by taking the time to measure your outdoor space so that you have an accurate grasp of how much room there is for furniture. Next, use some household items – cardboard boxes, old bedsheets, dust sheets or bath towels will work just fine – to simulate the size and proportions of patio table and chairs in your circular outdoor space. This will give you a clear understanding of their dimensions in relation to their location within your outdoor area and whether they will fit.
Consider your intended activities when measuring your patio. For instance, if you plan on hosting family BBQs and dinner parties outdoors, then a larger rectangular dining table might be more suited to hosting them than smaller round ones would. However, for casual Sunday breakfast gatherings or cozy conversations among friends a smaller round table may work better.
Consider when selecting the ideal circular patio table how easily guests will be able to move around it when entertaining guests. At minimum, allow two to three feet for people to comfortably maneuver around it without bumping into each other and reach it easily to eat and chat comfortably at the table.
For extra seating in your circular outdoor space, look for swivel lounge chairs or patio rockers that offer comfortable spots to relax while admiring the view from your curved deck or lanai. You could also create a coffee or cocktail table zone where people can unwind while reading or sipping their beverage of choice in the sunshine.
Choosing the Right Decor
Circular patios present unique furnishing challenges, yet can offer opportunities for creating a sense of symmetry and balance through decor elements such as plants, tablescapes, lighting and layout. Start by considering how you’ll use the space on an ongoing basis – for instance if it will serve as dining or relaxation zone you should ensure there’s adequate seating capacity available for guests.
Round bistro tables make an excellent focal point in an intimate dining nook, and plantings up against walls provide more shelter from the elements. “Clients love intimate spaces that feel private and calm,” according to the landscape designer at bba Architects of Chicago. To achieve that effect, she installed low stone walls around her patio perimeters before filling them with white hydrangeas, Japanese forest grass and climbing roses in tight clusters for a natural canopy that softened its edges.
Like dressing up any room in your house, treating a round patio as its own space requires careful consideration. Consider adding benches to one corner or stashing extra chairs under console tables so that there’s ample seating when unexpected friends or raindrops appear. This gives you flexibility when accommodating additional visitors or when sudden showers hit.
For an engaging outdoor conversation area, curved outdoor sofas offer ideal solutions. Choose one in keeping with the overall design and color scheme of your yard for a unified aesthetic, or mix and match different pieces to create an eclectic lounge area.
Keep in mind that furniture shaped like a circle may feel crowded if overstuffed with accessories, so be wary when filling your circle furniture to the brim. Additionally, its material and finish could impact its durability; for instance, when shopping for wood furniture opt for varnish that lets the natural grain show through rather than painted finishes to increase longevity.
Choosing the Right Lighting
No matter the season or your entertainment preferences, your outdoor patio should provide an inviting and relaxing space. However, furnishing a circular patio presents unique challenges not found when using traditional square decks; here are some helpful tips and tricks that will enable you to design a stunning and functional space that will bring years of joy!
At first, it is important to establish the primary purpose of your patio. Will it serve as an area for dining, relaxation or both? By knowing this information, it will become much easier for you to select furniture, tables and decor that will bring your vision of outdoor dining or relaxation alive as well as determine if dividing circular space into zones is necessary.
Once you know exactly how you plan on using your patio, the next step should be selecting furniture pieces of appropriate sizes and shapes for it. Patio furniture comes in various styles and sizes; thus you should find pieces suitable for the dimensions of your space as well as durability to withstand weather extremes.
If you plan to host backyard barbeques, opt for a larger patio table that provides enough seating. Alternatively, if you prefer dining al fresco with a view, smaller tables can be combined with a curved sofa or loveseat to create an intimate conversation zone.
An intimate set of reclining chairs offers the ideal spot for unwinding from everyday stressors and finding peace. Additionally, a curved lounge chair with an ottoman can also provide the perfect place for sipping wine while socializing with friends.
Finalize your circular patio by choosing the appropriate lighting options, including outdoor ceiling fans and hanging lanterns. To add color, consider including table lamps in your design scheme – FOA offers an impressive selection of trend-setting upholstery made in America for added assurance that your new furniture will both look stylish and remain long-term.