Selecting outdoor furniture that fits your space perfectly requires careful planning and consideration. Start by measuring your available area, including the length, width, and any architectural features. Consider the furniture's proportion relative to your space - large pieces can overwhelm small patios, while tiny items may get lost in expansive areas.
Leave adequate walking room between furniture pieces, typically 30-36 inches for main pathways. For dining sets, ensure there's enough space to pull out chairs comfortably. Measure existing furniture you plan to keep to maintain scale consistency.
Create a floor plan using graph paper or digital tools. Cut out furniture shapes to scale and experiment with different arrangements. Consider the furniture's function - conversation areas need closer seating, while dining spaces require more precise measurements.
Remember to account for furniture features like reclining chairs that need extra space when fully extended. Look at the furniture's visual weight - dark colors and solid designs appear larger, while light colors and open frames seem more airy. Test the scale by visualizing how people will move through and use the space once the furniture is in place.