It’s the perfect time to design your own outdoor space for a summer of entertaining. While the decorating process is an enjoyable experience, you’ll need to do some planning before making your purchases. Here are our top 5 pieces of advice from our expert designers to ensure that you enjoy a seamless experience when it’s time to shop.

1. Measure your space before you begin your online search.

Before starting your online search, you’ll need to gather the correct dimensions of your usable space. This is an essential step when designing an outdoor area, as this pre-planning effort ensures that you’re investing in pieces that will fit your space perfectly, without feeling cramped. We recommend keeping these measurements on-hand during your shopping, as you can easily compare these numbers to the online dimensions of dining and conversation sets, rugs, and other outdoor décor items.

2. Invest in staple pieces for your furniture and accessorize with trends in mind.

Although you may feel tempted to dive head-first into the latest outdoor trends, you’ll want to consider the long-term use of your furniture. Instead of building your entire space around a popular umbrella pattern that you love, we suggest purchasing classic, staple pieces for your furniture, while accessorizing your space with the latest trends. By making small updates to your accessories instead of your furniture, you’ll enjoy the longevity of your staple pieces and make the most of your investment.

When changing up your accessories, we recommend updating accent pillows and cushions to make an affordable, yet noticeable modification. With accessories from Hanover, you’ll have no trouble finding stylish pieces that fit the latest trends. Take an in-depth look here for a variety of contemporary seat cushions, pillows, and more.

3. Know the terminology before starting your search.

Outdoor furniture is available in a variety of different materials: cast aluminum, steel, resign wicker – just to name a few! Some materials are better accustomed to the rain, while others are less likely to fade in the sun, so it’s important to do this research before making any large purchases.

We are often asked, “What is the most durable type of outdoor dining table?” to which we usually suggest our Traditions 48" Round Dining Table, designed with cast-aluminum. To look at a full dining set with this table, check out the best-selling Traditions 5-Piece Dining Set in Blue.

4. Consider the long-term use of your items.

Along with the materials of your outdoor furniture and accessories, you’ll need to think about the longevity of the pieces. In most cases, we suggest investing in furniture covers or storage to increase the lifespan of your investment and keep your outdoor space in pristine condition.

Along with protective coverings, we recommend choosing pieces with weather-protective finishes, especially if you live in an area with unpredictable weather.

5. Know your budget.

Prices in outdoor furniture can vary greatly depending on the style and material. By creating a budget for your entire outdoor space before shopping, you’re guaranteed to find pieces you love, without breaking the bank.

Budget #1 Recommendation:

Our MOD Amelia Deep Seating Set is a top-seller, and you can see why for yourself. This set brings comfort and style to your space, and is a great price.

Budget #2 Recommendation:

Patio Conversation sets can range from $799 - $2599 depending on style and material. The Montclair Collection sits right at $999.00 and is a beautiful option for your patio.

Budget #3 Recommendation:

If you are looking for something to entertain more people, our 7 piece sets can range from $1099- $3599. Our most-popular collection is our Traditions Collection, and with a high-quality material and custom handcrafted designs and accents, you can see why. Check out the Traditions 7 Piece Dining Set to see how great this would look in your space.

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Once you’ve taken these key pieces of advice into consideration, it’s finally time to begin searching for your outdoor items. For a full list of Hanover’s durable outdoor furniture and accessories, take a look at our high-quality collection here.

Happy shopping!