Freshen up your patio with chic furniture and colorful accessories

While entertaining is largely relegated indoors during fall and winter in the Northwest, the first string of sunny, warm days brings the party outside. With the wind and rain, cold and snow of winter behind us, thoughts shift to preparing outdoor spaces for entertaining.

No worries if your patio furniture is looking less than fashion-forward, or if the only decorations dotting your yard are last summer's citronella candles.

Simple investments

Warren King, who manages the garden center at Wight's Home and Garden in Lynnwood, recommends investing in quality outdoor furniture — "investment pieces that will last for 10, 15 years or more," he says — or adding new pieces, such as chairs or a lounger, to an existing set.

And keep it simple. "Go with the more traditional and neutral furniture, and then add accents with cushions and pottery," King says.

When it comes to weather-friendly furnishings, Wight's offers a variety of table sets, chairs, benches and chaise lounges in hardwood and wrought iron.

"This is the moss capital of the world," King says, which is why he suggests the wrought-iron offerings — wrought iron doesn't rust, so it's no problem if a summer shower rains on the party.

Resources


Several chain and neighborhood stores offer a large selection of furniture and accessories — from lights and pillows to cushions and candles — for outdoor entertaining. Here's a sampling of where to find expert tips and inspiration for creating the ultimate backyard space.

• Cost Plus World Market: 2103 Western Ave., Seattle, 206-443-1055; www.worldmarket.com.

• David Smith & Co.: 1107 Harrison St., Seattle, 206-223-1598; www.davidsmithco.com.

• Pier 1: 1425 S.E. Everett Mall Way, Everett, 425-353-6345; www.pier1.com.

• Wight's Home and Garden: 5026 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood, 425-775-3636; www.wights.com.

Among the popular finds at Wight's is the wrought-iron loveseat ($299.99) and high-back chairs ($179.99 each) by Meadowcraft. The line features stylish and classic pieces, some featuring clean, straight lines and others intricate detail.

For those with limited budgets and space, Wight's also carries furniture that folds for easy storage. Styles include the sophisticated three-piece wood set from Terrapin Trading ($399.99), built from Karowin wood with a medium oil-stained finish, and the quaint — and ultra chic — three-piece cast aluminum bronze bistro set ($199.99), perfect for apartment or condo dwellers.

Teak on the patio

Teak furniture is a staple of many patios and decks. David Smith & Co. in Seattle specializes in teak furnishings and accessories from Indonesia. Crafted from hardwood, the pieces are sturdy enough to stay outdoors year-round, says John McDonagh, wholesale manager.

While some of this furniture is oil-stained for a deeper, more polished finish, the natural patina of the wood takes on a pale silver-blue as it weathers. However, the integrity of the furniture is not compromised if the wood is untreated, McDonagh says.

David Smith & Co. offers chairs from $80 (for a folding style) to the rose side chair, featuring a lower back contour and slats on the back and seat, for $130. For those who prefer to kick off their shoes and relax, there's the Bali Lounger ($395), complete with an underside drink tray. The Lotus stacking chair ($195) is a handsome style fit for entertaining year-round.

For the budget-minded, the square and round check-board patterned tables — perfect as end tables — are $48 each and fold up easily for moving or packing away.

Wicker furniture

For the traditionalists who prefer wicker — but not your parents' wicker — Pier 1 offers several varieties.

A hip, armchair-style Sabino chair that could move inside come fall goes for $349, and the Ibiza ottoman ($249) could double as a distinctive end table.

The store also offers a line of dark, teak-like furniture with a rich cherry finish. (Favorite: the dining table for $299). And the curvy rooftop chaise lounge ($279) is a sure conversation starter.

Accessorize with color

While using neutrals for the foundation pieces of your backyard or patio is a good rule of thumb, introduce splashes of color — and your personality — with accessories.

This season, pastels are passé, and deep, bold colors (think more earthy, not fluorescent), especially rich oranges, avocado, reds and gold, are in, says Beverly Watson, store manager at Pier 1 on Everett Mall Way.

The colors are ubiquitous in the pillows, umbrellas, cushions and votive candleholders the store stocks. Pier 1 even offers umbrella jewelry ($15), clip-on strands featuring diamond-shape metal cutouts and circular shapes in the season's hot colors.

The store's metal and glass lanterns in jewel tones of amethyst, emerald and blue topaz are a bargain at $8 each. String lights are ideal for dressing up an existing outdoor design.

Cost Plus World Market offers a sizable and eclectic selection of lights, including paper star lights ($14.99) in a bone shade, paper cherry-blossom lights ($12.99) adorned with delicate and pretty blossoms and the dramatic and intricately carved wood string lights ($14.99).

Visitors to Wight's should check out the cute and ultra-kitschy mini-pink-flamingo string lights for $12.99.

Many of the stores offer pillows and chair or loveseat cushions that are spot on with trends and, most importantly, weather-resistant.

For a quick way to change your existing outdoor space, go with votive candleholders and pillows. Wight's and Pier 1 stock a slew of decorative throw pillows in understated and bold patterns, from pin- and dobby-stripes to solids, flowers and toile.