Posh patios have stepped up their game

Not that many years ago, all anyone had outside was a modest outdoor patio table with an umbrella in the middle, four or six chairs around it, near the grill.

Outdoor furniture materials varied from tempered glass tables with aluminum frames and coordinating chairs, to plastic, wood or wrought iron sets. But they were primarily dining sets. If you wanted to socialize after dinner, you sat in those same chairs and talked around the dining table.

When homeowners think of their outdoor living spaces today, however, they think about much more than just their patio or deck area. Most consider their entire yard to be extensions of their indoor living space, and value it just as highly, said Steve Olson, manager of Viking Ski and Patio in Barrington.

“It's a whole different outdoor world today,” Olson said. “Twenty-first century patio decor is as different from those days as summer from winter.”

The range of outdoor furniture and accessories has expanded exponentially. For instance, dining height tables are still popular, but so are bar-height table and chair sets — and the even newer “balcony-height” sets that are higher than a standard dining table but not as high as a bar set. Their advantage is they allow diners to see over railings and enjoy the view without climbing into a bar chair, Olson said.

Enviro-wood, a recycled plastic material, is often used to make these sets because it is environmentally friendly, does not rot or rust, and needs little maintenance.

The traditional Adirondack chairs that are very popular now in a plethora of colors are also often made from this carefree material, which can be left outside year-round, Olson said. It does, however, fare better if a dark color is chosen, he advises.

When it comes to wood tables, most manufacturers offer teak or ipe options, many of which can be expanded using table leaves similar to those offered for indoor tables. Ipe is a dark red South American wood that is very strong and insect-resistant.

Umbrellas have also evolved. Today they come is wide range of sizes and colors and are often much larger, cantilevered and free-standing. Such umbrellas sit off to the side of a seating area, can rotate 360 degrees and generally cover much more “real estate” than the old-style table umbrellas.

Deep seating chairs, couches and love seats are also wildly popular with people who want to relax outdoors around the fire pit or just with a cocktail or book.

“People are sitting outside and relaxing at home more, so they are opting for these extremely comfortable, casual sets,” Olson said.

“The frames of these pieces are made of aluminum, wicker-covered aluminum or recycled plastic and the luxurious cushions are covered with two layers of Sunbrella fabric, which dries very quickly so they can be left outside virtually all the time,” he said. “The two layers of fabric serve to keep the water away from the interior foam.”

This is the second season for Sunbrella's new fabric that is 100 percent waterproof. It allows homeowners to leave cushions outside throughout the season without worry.

No matter which fabric you choose, the cushions are removable and fare best if taken inside during the winter or if the owner is away on an extended vacation. But the frames can be left out year-round. It is, however, best to cover them with a breathable, waterproof cover during the winter (late October to late March), Olson said.

Viking Ski and Patio is also seeing lots of customers for its fire pit tables, which burn propane through glass beads or charcoal. Generally made at somewhere between a coffee table and dining table height, these structures serve double duty. The fire pit portion in the middle can be almost invisible while you are eating, hidden by a Lazy Susan or a flat cover, and then afterward the cover can be removed and it becomes a tabletop fire pit. They now come in many different colors, styles, materials and sizes.

When Aspen Ski and Patio retired from business over eight years ago, Viking Ski and Snowboard Shops of Chicago saw an opportunity to serve people's summer needs, too, by purchasing the Barrington business and carrying on its unique, dual-season specialty concept for the residents of the Northwest suburbs, along with bringing in some new ideas.

Viking offers full-service repairs to outdoor furniture, as well, including wood restoration, umbrella string replacement, and the re-strapping and re-slinging of chairs, Olson said.

Viking is located at 131 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. For more information, call (847) 381-1188 or visit www.chicagopatiofurniturestore.com.