Patio Furniture in a Tropical Setting

You often dream of retiring at the age of sixty-five and living in a warm and tropical place. As you are nearing this dream, think of finding a suitable house with a wide grassy lawn, a swimming pool and a patio.  This would entail lots of money. But for a low budget, you can have that patio of your dreams. Keeping a simple, easy-to-maintain patio is not beyond your reach.  Of course, you have to choose the right patio furniture that is weather-proof, child-proof and pet-proof. 

There is a variety of patio furniture in the market; some are made of marble, wrought-iron, bent-tubes, aluminum, wood, or wicker.  If you want to live near the seashore, then wrought-iron is not for you. You may choose the light and tropical wicker or rattan type with plump cushions.  You can paint these white, and cover the cushions with brightly-printed durable cotton fabric.  Washable fabrics are a good choice for furniture cushions, although leatherette is also a good alternative since this is easy to wipe with a damp cloth.  Just bear in mind that you need low-maintenance patio furniture for easy living. 

When inviting friends over for a barbecue, be sure to have enough seats for all of them, arm chairs, sofas, divans, or hammocks, where they can lounge around while waiting for the grilled food.  If there are children or pets around, they may tend to spill beverages or foul-smelling stuff on your furniture.   If you have the right patio furniture that are low-maintenance and easy-to-clean, then you won’t have to worry about this. 

Your patio floor should also come in rugged weather-proof material in warm earth colors to match your furniture.  Add lots of potted plants or flowering shrubs around your patio and you have a small hideaway of your own where you can relax with your favorite book, with a cold drink in your hand, or listen to soft music while you drowse.  This may be all you need to get away from a hectic lifestyle, close to the ideal retirement paradise you dream about.