these all-weather wicker beauties) and can't decide if I want an actual dining set or sofa/sectional/deep seating. The plans are to build an outdoor kitchen, which will have a bar area with stools. Now, things to consider: wet butts, older parents visiting, parties where we stay out late in the night gabbing.
The thing is, I need seating for at least 7 (my family + in laws, who visit a lot.) It will be under a large shade structure as well. My only concern with a sectional is that it would block off flow from the back door out to the rest of the area, because of where the space is.

Measurements I failed to add: 16 feet across, 14 feet deep will be the "under shade structure" space.
Things to note: the shade structure is a pergola, but the wooden slats will be very close together with a narrow gap in between each piece (will run left to right, and be very similar to THIS) and the placement of the sectional - if that's what we go with - would make an L on the right side of the posts. Up and down, and then along the house at the bottom, just like the letter L.
Thoughts? *chinfists*
I keep going back and forth on what kind of furniture I want out by the pool. I have loungers already (they're I prefer:
dining tables - you can lean forward, set stuff on it, have centerpieces
37(31.9%)
sectionals - they're sleek, modern, and you can get a lot of butts on them
21(18.1%)
chair/sofa sets - you can move things around to suit your needs, people can have their space
44(37.9%)
bean bags! BEAN BAGS FOR EVERYONE. It traps the elderly and amuses the young.
14(12.1%)
Materials!
No cushions at poolside, gross! Sling all the way, baby.
27(26.5%)
Cushions are fine, they're Sunbrella. Plus, tush cush!
56(54.9%)
METAL SPIKES. Remember how you like to be alone? Think of it as insurance.
19(18.6%)
Where was teak? Or metal that is not a spike?
Ah, did you forget I live in Texas?
14(11.2%)
And did you not realize that wood needs constant care in those temps?
15(12.0%)
And metal will sear the flesh off your body?
29(23.2%)
Have you hung your head in shame yet?
30(24.0%)
WELL? HAVE YOU?
37(29.6%)
The thing is, I need seating for at least 7 (my family + in laws, who visit a lot.) It will be under a large shade structure as well. My only concern with a sectional is that it would block off flow from the back door out to the rest of the area, because of where the space is.

Measurements I failed to add: 16 feet across, 14 feet deep will be the "under shade structure" space.
Things to note: the shade structure is a pergola, but the wooden slats will be very close together with a narrow gap in between each piece (will run left to right, and be very similar to THIS) and the placement of the sectional - if that's what we go with - would make an L on the right side of the posts. Up and down, and then along the house at the bottom, just like the letter L.
Thoughts? *chinfists*
- Spock is::
curious
Comments
...for now.
What I am saying is: as long as it's not something you found in junkyard, it should be good, because the most important part of a pool party is the weather, not the surroundings. And the rose-tinted glasses of childhood. Or as the Spanish call it down here: cerveza.
But in that built in kitchen will be a beer keg. :)
I saw some AWESOME bean bag chairs and ottomans at CB2, and if they hadn't been red, I would have been all over them.
OTOH, don't design everything round possibly slightly frail guests. There's always a way round it.
Comfort. Whatever you choose, comfort FTW.
I don't think you should have furniture. I think you should make your guests dive into the pool and then throw bbq sausages and bits of steak into their mouths as they flop about and clap their hands. You're so pedestrian.
Oooh, buckets of fish/steak bites would be much easier than setting a table, too. You're so clever. I'll have a ball for you to balance on when you get here.
But i hate being somewhere for hours, talking, when I can't curl my legs up and lean my head back and just *relax* as we talk.....
Bar + stools are nice but bar stools are sometimes hard to climb up onto if they're tall, and some are decidedly uncomfy.
Perhaps a smaller table and chairs for those that dislike eating off their knees, and couchy comfort for the rest?
Or perhaps something like this, which gives you a bit of both. But, ah ha, not at that price, sheesh.
(And the link you sent me was to an indoor leather/wood coffee table with stools?)
I'm thinking sofa/chairs for sure - when the bar is finished, we'll have comfy weather-proof stools for people to sit on so they won't squishify my cushions.