Patio Re-Think

I want to do something different with the patio alcove. With monsoon season bringing rain (or mostly the threat of rain) each afternoon, I am constantly schlepping cushions in and out. The teak chairs have deteriorated and the glider too, although it still glides nicely and I have new bright turquoise cushions for it.

But there are several things I want to change. At first I decided to replicate what we have -- I have liked the look and comfortable vibe of this alcove. So I've been shopping replacement chairs and glider and a new coffee table.

But then I thought: Let's change how this space actually works for us.

Materials:

I want metal, no wood, which doesn't last in this climate, I want mesh quick drying material, no more fat foam cushions that soak up water.

Look:

I want it to look more like a garden spot, less like a second furnished living room right off the indoor living room. The cushioned arm chairs have been great but they make it look like a living room and the furniture is bulky and substantial. The colors are punchy and bright; I'd like a softer tone.

Access:

I want more access -- with the rectangular coffee table in the middle it is hard for Jim to get around with his walker. The space is tiny and we have a lot of furniture clustered in it. I want to get rid of the central coffee table, which we don't use for much of anything and open up the center of the alcove.

 

The entire width  from stucco wall to stucco wall is only 11.5 feet. That's not much to accommodate furniture on either side and a coffee table in the middle and still get a walker around it all.

 

Comfort:

Jim needs a comfortable place to sit but we don't need to flop or nap or sink into cushioning. I do need to have something he can sit in. The brown mesh patio set chairs are upright but they swivel and he can sit in them well enough.

 

Function:

A table to eat at would be nice. Not for big dinners with 4 people, just to have coffee and snacks when a friend comes over. Or for me to have my breakfast outside.

 

Expense: 

And finally, patio replacement furniture is costly if I want good stuff.  

 

So, instead of replacing the same configuration with new chairs that have quicker draining cushions (expensive) and metal frames (also expensive) and softer colors, and instead of finding a new glider that is mesh (there are several I found), I think I might just repurpose my 4 chair + mesh metal table patio set. 

> I'll move what I already have: the table and patio chairs. Put them against the wall and flank the chairs on either side of them. They can swivel to eat at the table or rotate to face the glider for conversation or views.

> It opens the center, no coffee table to get around. The small square dining table is a place to put things; we rarely had any kind of "spread" out on the coffee table anyway, and never ate meals there. Schnapps, yes.

> I'll keep one extra swivel patio chair out under the umbrella as it is now. It can always be pulled up to add a third at the table. And where it sits under the umbrella is nice for swiveling around and looking out at my tiny garden.

> The glider is still ok -- the cushions are not as thick and dry out better, and they are new and fresh, but I'd eventually want a pillow-less glider. Not yet, though.

> I would visually miss having the square metal able by the garage door with all the pots, but that needs a rethink too. The pots do nothing, it's an awkward set up and I might transplant the mock orange in the ground by the door, behind the red penstemon.

$ This avoids the cost of all new furniture -- which is really expensive -- to replicate what I have with more durable materials. $ This whole move is completely free.

And it changes how we'd use the space and how we'd get through it to go out into the yard.

It avoids having to store the patio set -- right now other than the one chair we use, I have put the other three in the side alley around the house. We should simply use them.

We could still entertain the neighbors as we do often -- the two mesh swivel chairs replace the two teak armchairs that were there, and the glider stays. The extra swivel chair stays too. Not for dining outside, we'd still do that at the table indoors, but for wine and conversation this table and chair set up would work.

A pretty square tablecloth on it with hors d'oevres might dress things up nicely.

I'd need to zhuzh up the space with  plants and flowers for the garden room look, it's spare looking with the open center and tan chairs and umbrella. While I did want a soft green garden vibe to the furniture, keeping the turquoise glider cushions ties it to the turquoise garage door in the distance -- one of my favorite views.

When I can get around to moving furniture again I should stage this set up to see if I like it. Or Greg can move it for me when he comes next weekend. 

No purchases needed for experimenting, just rearranging what I already have. And I could avoid the pillow stash behind the chairs in the living room every afternoon it threatens rain:

I think this might be the solution I was struggling with as I tried to shop for expensive new patio furniture. Hope so.