You can make your patio into an ideal place to relax after a hard day’s work, and transform it into a great setting for entertaining friends and family. All you have to do is ensure that you decorate and furnish it appropriately. The right patio decor can make all the difference. You can create a beautiful tranquil outdoor setting — just make sure you don’t throw the whole look off with some bad choices.

Before creating the perfect outdoor space on your patio, you need to figure out and understand how you want to use it. If you want to relax and entertain on your patio, realize that it is an outdoor space, and that you want it to be relaxed, but bordering on formal.

Realize also that your patio furnishings will be exposed to the elements year-round, unless you bring them in for winter storage. The summer sun will beat down on your patio furniture, so you will need to find pieces that won’t fade in sunlight. For patios where rain is not a problem, either in desert climets or where the patio has a sheltering roof-overhang, wicker furniture is a popular, elegant choice. If rain is a problem, though, cedar patio furniture works, but teak tends to have more style.

You have a number of options to choose from when it comes to patio furniture. We’ve already mentioned wicker, cedar and teak. Similar to wicker, there is also rattan with an air of sophisticated informality. Regardless of material, though, make sure your patio furniture is well-treated and designed for outdoor use. Otherwise, it probably won’t stand up to extended outdoor exposure.

Next up, you will want to consider your cushions. The major problem here is with fabrics that can discolor, fade and become ruined when daily exposed to UV. Laminated cotton, vinyl coated polyester and acrylic materials are some of your most rugged fabric choices.

So, what pieces should you get? If you want to eat outside, you will definitely want a patio dining set with four or six chairs and a dining table. In addition, you should either get a large patio umbrella or have a roll-up or retractable patio awning installed. Be careful with umbrellas — always close them up when not in use, and store them in a sheltered area like a garage during storms. Awnings, too, should be retracted when not in use. Retractable awnings are more expensive than umbrellas, but are also more convenient and offer greater coverage.

A couple of Adirondack chairs and a hammock will make your patio more inviting to lounge in, but patio carpeting to cover the concrete and cushion your feet, and a couple of cedar planters with herbs or flowers should make things homey and pull the whole patio together for you.

Don’t forget the Wind Chimes for your patio.