Outdoor furniture, outdoor lighting, outdoor rugs... Need advice!  

woohoo!! Congrats
OK lets see
What material the furniture is depends on whether you will be moving it around alot or if it will stay in one place and not be moved at all.
I personally prefer treated wood but its heavy and cant be easily moved about if need be
Resin is ok, its durable for the most part but cheap and tackey looking IMO
Wicker is not all that durable. It falls apart quickly
Maybe metal would be the way to go.
The table top I dont think really matters
It is more of a personal preference vs. functionality issue
Someone with small kids would definately NOT want a glass top table LOL
The rugs I have no idea about but I dont think that you would have to roll them up for the winter
There are designed to be outside in the elements right?
Now lighting - hmmmmno outlet and cant rewire?
That could be tricky
Wait I found something for you
Check out this site
They have rechargeable battery operated lanterns (so cute!)
http://www.hitches4less.com/outdoor-lighting.html

I've seen more metal and plastic from family members and friends places. Though plastic is a bit better in summer for less heat, this can still vary (I got a nice burn one time, so I should know.) Wicker is pretty good too, but I've heard varying stories from others. At least wicker and weave can't stick like some plastics and leather. It also isn't as open to heating like metals. Some sets allow you to stack up the items and put them off to the side either outside or inside. Just cover them up with a cloth or suitable item. As for glasstops, some of those are pretty neat. Don't know how they'd fare in winter, but it doesn't seem like anything drastic could happen. Oh wait its screened-in. Yea I think most of your items will be fine! If it was directly outside, then some of what I say applies to it. For lighting your area, maybe you can try the pod tap lights that use batteries. Of course this could get wasteful easily. So maybe there could be a lamp or two you could use and connect from the inside like you say. Rugs, I don't know about outside ones. If I use one on the outside its usually one I take in at the end of a day. If I think of anything else I'll post it. Hopefully Hmmmmmm, you'll get other peoples posts on this since my experience here only goes so far. Still willing to help though.

Oh and grats and Woot on your new place!

I would love having a screened in patio! I have thought about doing that to my small little patio that is roof covered because we've also got a huge non-covered patio coming off it. Anyway...
When I went shopping for outdoor furniture I didn't want to get cushions. They look great but I just new I would hate bringing them in and out every time it threatened rain. Though you don't have to worry about that too much - or you could just get some plastic to through over them instead of bringing them in - except of course in the winter. So in that case I would get cushions. I was able though to find some rather comfortable non-cushion table set. I bought painted metal that I really like. Plastic is just too light (and I try to avoid buying plastic when I can). I suppose I would buy wood. But wicker is not really my style so much. But if you like it I would think it's pretty durable. I have a glass table top and when I was a kid my parents had a painted metal one. I just think the glass looks better. Though I'm sure I'll curse the day if I ever break it LOL. Ours is quiet durable though and has made it through some nasty storms.

I've never had any experience with outdoor rugs.

Lighting...I think I would stick with a nice candle chandelier and/or some oil lamps. That's probably your best bet other than some battery operated lights.

Good luck and let us know what you settle on!

Lets see. As far as an indoor out door carpet goes there great. I have one on both my porches and leave them year round. When they need cleand I pull out the vacuum and vacuum them. Simple as that. A Glass Table is a good Idea as well. They seem to hold up pretty well to abuse. I would take it in the house in the winter though so it dosent get cold and crack. Plastic top tables are better because you can leave them out. I prefer Plastic chairs on my porch. There easy to clean and can be left out. The padded ones tend to hold in smells and can get moldy when wet. You would have to bring them in everytime it rains or snows. Wood furniture is nice but make sure its trated wood or it will swell in the winter. Which could cause tears in the wood. I dont have any ideas about lighting. Maybe a few candles or battery opperated lanterns. I hope I have helped some and not confued you. Good luck with the new place!!

Well I'm big on outdoor living,but like you I live in a very harsh climate zone(Quebec).

First off,Furniture:Resins are difinately the longest-lasting exterior furniture you can buy.Resins have come a long way since it was introduced,and there are many new styles and shapes.Wood is definately NOT a good choice as it will rot in no time unless it's creosote treated,but you dont want pressure treated furniture lol.Metal rusts,and wicker is not very good in cold climates.

I love outdoor rugs,but unfortunately,you have to treat them like interior rugs:Take your shoes off and vacuum all the time.I would not recommend one to stay out all winter because it will rot.

Exterior lights come in solar power modes now.The best for your non-wiring situation.They come in strings or singles.

I have a nicely sized covered porch, so I have 2 wicker chairs and a small table on one side of my front door and a wicker loveseat, 2 chairs, and a bigger table on the other. I like the look of wicker, but have resin so it lasts longer and handles the weather very well. I keep mine outside all year long and we get really hot summers and cold winters. You can get cushions that are comfortable and at the same time weather proof. Not being covered, sometimes I have to bring them in, not fun watching a cushion flying in the wind, lol. This year we got a covering to go over our patio, which explains the loveseat, 2 chairs and bigger table.

If you think of wicker, go with resin. Don't forget to get some plants. If you go with candles, don't forget to get those that keep bugs away. Indoor/outdoor rugs can still mildew, so after cleaning hang it up so it has the chance to dry faster. Most of all just have fun, look around for the best price. You can find all outside furniture at most places in the spring time, it won't be cheap, so save now.

Also you can get solar lights to light around the patio, so many to chose from. They cost more but at least you don't have to worry about your electric bill going up or wiring problems. Plus you can just put them anywhere you want to. Again, most of all just have fun.

Jumping up & down, hearty congrat's to you, my friend! So, when is the big move?

Being a former Upstate New Yorker, I am going to dissuade you from any kind of wood set. Plastics/resins as well. The cold is really tough on the plastics, and the moisture is hard on woods. Our patio set in the arbor is powder coated wrought iron. Can't go wrong with wrought iron. The powder coating keeps it from getting too hot in the summer, so there's no sticking or burning. And, they hold up perfectly well in the cold/snowy weather as well. We were able to find a set with rocking chairs that are so comfortable that we don't even use cushions.

As for lighting, there are many fabulous solar light options these days. Copper, brushed stainless steel, etc... Many shapes/sizes and applications are available. Many have a small solar collector that you can set atop the roof, with a tiny wire running into the light.

Another lighting option, besides candles, is low voltage rope lighting. You would have to either run an extension cord, or you could use a solar adaptor, as described above.

When we have evening gatherings at the house, we use wrought iron tiki torches. I say tiki torch just to help create a mental impression. They don't look anything like the old fashioned Polynesian style torches. They're beautiful in fact, with lovely scroll work. They're fueled by torch fuel, and a lantern wick. As I recall, Hubby picked them up at Lowe's Home Improvement. We also run low voltage rope lights, off of an extension cord. They add a touch of elegance and festivity. The cord hides fairly easily. Then, when the guests have left, I roll the rope lighting back up, & put it away.

As for the rug, I don't know what kind of floor your patio has. If it is wood, or stone, I'm not sure that a rug is necessary. I did use indoor/outdoor carpeting once, many years ago and wasn't very happy with it. It was the tacky fake grass looking kind of rug. It was actually pretty nasty! Our current patio flooring is stone. So, it looks fabulous without any kind of carpeting.

If you really have your heart set on a rug, perhaps a bamboo option will work. It will hold up fairly well to the weather, and needs only be vacuumed, spot cleaned, or wiped down with a mild detergent. Some of the bamboo rugs available these days are nice enough to use in a formal living room. Or, you could use a thin pile wool rug. Ya' know, like a Navajo rug. Wool can tolerate weather, and can be easily rolled up for winter storage. If you do choose a wool option, do make sure to insert moth ball protection for winter storage. It will keep the moths away, and the mice too!

I'm just going to throw this out there, and you can do with it whatever you choose. Have you considered making some wood inserts covered with a transparent plastic for the winter? Essentially, you could save yourself the headache of having to store cushions & rugs by closing out the weather. I did this with our first screened in patio. It's easy enough to do, and if done well, it looks nice as well. All you would need is some simple 1" x 1 " wood furring strips, rolled plastic, and a staple gun. Size & connect the furring strips to match the size(s) of your screen areas, then attach the plastic to the inserts. You can tack them in place with nails, or use an old fashioned butterfly closure to hold them in place. You will end up being able to use your outdoor space through most of the seasons. Just an idea.

Anyway, good luck with the move ... and enjoy your new home!

indoor outoor carpet is great I don't think you will have to take it in,but it will last longer if you did maybe. It is easy to clean as you stated. I think for the furniture, I can tell you from my own experience that wood is the best(In my own opinion) and last the longest..my great granny kept a rocker on her porch for 20 years and it is now put up but still together..I have had the metal the resin and when the resin gets cold it cracks easier and after a few years of use it weakens and tends to break. If you get a glass table then try to get a good thick glassed one something your not always worried your gonna bust or if someone comes over that they are going to bust it. Or you could use another type of your choice. For the lighting..You could run an extention cord and use a surge master something that has multiple plug in areas so you can use it to plug in more then one thing. One of those tall lamps might work but here is what my hubby did since our living room didn't have any lights in it. He bought some cord and a plug and a light fixture and some wire nuts and black tape and fixed us a light to the ceiling you can even install a switch that runs on the out side walls but make sure it can plug in to a wall as well because that is what he did so we can use the switch to turn it on and off. and it can be unplugged when needed. I would make sure to contact a Lowe's or Home depot for more info on installing your own lighting or get a self help book.