Just as everyone's diet and eating habits are slightly different, their patio dining furniture is bound to vary as well. You may need a larger sized set than your neighbour, since you love throwing parties where only the best wine and canap?s are served. Or maybe you prefer a more casual set, while they will insist on something sleek and formal. Your tastes, lifestyle and practical needs will combine to help you choose the ideal outdoor dining furniture, ultimately creating an ideal oasis in your garden.

Size and Shape
Many outdoor dining sets are available with seating for four or six people. While this might be the industry standard, it may not work for you at all. It's important that you find patio dining furniture that is perfectly proportioned to your needs. If you have a large family or adore throwing well attended barbeque bashes think about how much seating a larger set will provide. And if you would rather create an intimate atmosphere in the garden, consider the leading brands of smaller bistro-style sets.

Both of these can actually work together in an outdoor space that needs to accommodate both scenarios. You simply need to choose what size is best for your home.

The shape is also vital and is determined mainly by your tastes, but the right choice also takes in mind the overall space available. A cramped area still needs outdoor dining furniture - circular tables and narrow chairs are best. Expansive patio spaces need to keep the guests grounded and feeling relaxed - wide and deep seating work well along with lower tables in large square and rectangle shapes.

Tabletop Choices
You will have a few choices when it comes to the tabletop; glass, wood and aluminium are commonly found. Many shoppers are drawn to the glass, given the contemporary look it creates along with a feeling of openness and style. There is also the benefit of glass tabletops requiring less maintenance and generally needing a quick wipe down to clean up any spills or food.

For wooden furniture, such as teak, a smooth tabletop made from narrow planks is often a safe design. This allows for water to pass through and not pooling on the wooden surface, resulting in better durability. It's also attractive and will hold the necessities of dining safely but will need regular treating and protecting from the elements.

Aluminium outdoor dining furniture comes in a variety of different designs and may come with a glass tabletop or something formed from powder coated cast aluminium. Look for a design with space for airflow and water runoff, as well as the smoothest surface you can find.

You will need to choose outdoor dining furniture that is the proper size for your home, designed in the ideal shape and available with an attractive tabletop. These elements will combine to make a patio set that matches your lifestyle well and provides the perfect spot for meals in the fresh air all season long.