The excitement of updating or creating new outdoor spaces with wicker furniture can sometimes overpower the right selection and arrangement process. Patios, decks, porches, pool areas and garden spots are all potential candidates for creating a relaxing atmosphere that will elicit the wow factor from first-time visitors. Revitalizing can include keeping some older pieces while adding in some new furniture. Throwing out worn-down pieces and finding all-new replacements are also fun challenges. Mixing and matching, changing a look from traditional to contemporary or deciding on materials and colors are all design factors to consider.
1. The Right Pieces for the Right Places
Matching wicker furniture styles to the home’s exterior, inside spaces and personal tastes may be the easy part. Modular sectionals would look out of place with a traditional Tudor background, and a Victorian rocker might seem overdone in a sleek Mediterranean setting.
Beyond style, however, balance is just as important. A sofa might appear cramped in smaller areas, but a loveseat could be just right. End tables, rather than coffee tables, are also excellent choices for tight areas. In reverse, larger spaces will benefit from full ensembles and may look better balanced with bolder furniture framework. Breaking up expansive spaces with separate living, dining or entertaining areas creates implied barriers with an open flow that also solves the too-empty look.
2. Spread Out To Enjoy the View
When outdoor spaces provide an exceptional view, everyone should have a vantage point. Overlooking a lake, having beach access or simply enjoying a lush garden and manicured landscape are reasons to reconfigure standard furniture groupings. With a sofa or loveseat as the anchor, side chairs can be placed at wing positions to make conversation easier without losing the advantage of enjoying surroundings. This type of layout, with the elimination of coffee tables, will solve arrangement issues on wraparound porches and narrower verandas or in tighter poolside areas.
3. Make It Cozy
Conversation groupings are a popularized term for cozier furniture arrangements. This concept can include multiple easy chairs grouped around a large cocktail table or a fire pit. A more 
traditional approach could incorporate a sofa facing two chairs or with an added loveseat to create a square configuration. If space is limited, an outdoor dining table with cushioned armchairs optimized for comfort can serve for eating and entertaining.
4. Create a Secluded Spot
Getting away from it all at home can be as easy as setting up a single glider, a chaise or an oversized chair with a side table. By the pool or at the far end of a deck, these smaller arrangements announce the need for seclusion. A pergola or gazebo constructed away from the main activity area is another design choice for seeking peace and quiet in the midst of a noisier setting.
5. Bring the Indoors Outside
Give outdoor spaces a homier feel with the addition of a few accessories. Start with a large area rug that defines the perimeters of a furniture grouping. Runners and smaller throw rugs, in bamboo or weather-resistant fibers, can also enliven smaller areas. Even when floor coverings are separated, they can provide a sense of continuity through the use of matched colors and patterns. Table and floor lamps with wicker shades or bases are available with outdoor-rated electrical components. At night, they extend the usability of outdoor spaces, and during the day, they break up horizontal lines among surrounding pieces.