By Anita Winter
Outdoor dining sets are the key element in the outdoor entertaining experience. The outdoor dining set can serve many purposes. Some choose to utilize these for barbecues, holiday occasions and family gatherings while others prefer to incorporate these year round. In October's 2010 "Casual Living Magazine" a survey was done on outdoor dining sets. According to the Casual Living and HGTV 2010 outdoor furniture survey, more than three-fifths of consumers plan to purchase a dining set in 2010 and 2011, 35% will purchase a new dining set in 2011 and around 65% will buy dining sets to replace what they currently have.
This is great news for retailers looking to make a sale, however, knowing exactly what the customer wants has its challenges. The ongoing preferred color for dining sets is not surprising. People who purchased in the past have leaned toward brown frames, next in line was black and lastly, metallic. People are buying more casual or lifestyle flair pieces rather than traditional styles. This articulates people are creating spaces for relaxation and leisure time, not just for entertainment purposes.
Outdoor cushions go hand-in-hand with outdoor dining sets. The outdoor fabric industry and manufacturing isn't new but these have come a long way. Outdoor fabrics are made to withstand the elements and with 64% of outdoor dining sets used in uncovered patio areas, fabric durability and high quality is expected. Custom cushions are being sought after with the help of networks like HGTV and DIY. People want stylish outdoor dining areas that scream comfort. The majority of people that bought cushions and throw pillows chose green as the desired color. Olive, sage, lime, mint or forest greens is just to name a few. Brown, beige, navy and blue are a close second.
So where are most outdoor patio dining sets being placed? The patio seems to be the number one spot followed by the deck. Whether it's a casual meal shared with family or entertaining guests, the outdoor room has become a way to add more space to your home.
Where are most people shopping for outdoor dining sets? Not surprisingly, home improvement centers and discount department stores are the most sought out areas for table and chair sets and it seems to all be driven by cost. High unemployment along with a bad economy has not necessarily stopped people from shopping but caused them to shop for the best bargain available.
