The best seat in the house might just be found outdoors this summer. A La-Z-Boy recliner on the patio? A cushy sectional on the deck? Why not?

The movement in recent years has been to create outside spaces as comfortable and well decorated as those inside.

"Outdoor furniture has gotten a lot more comfortable; it can be as comfortable as your regular sofa," said local interior designer Robin Reback Janiak, of Reback Interiors.

In addition, people are using every inch of their living space, including expanding their outdoor spaces, she said.

Those trends continue — and with some very familiar brand names on outdoor furniture collections. You'll find the new Martha Stewart Living Collection at Home Depot. Cindy Crawford at JCPenney. Country Living at Sears and Kmart. Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart.

These are in addition to such stylish brands as Lloyd/Flanders, Ebel, Tropitone and many others.

"In designing collections for the 2010 outdoor season, the focus was on dazzling color to brighten our moods, plush comfort to ease our tension and increased value to minimize the impact on our wallets," according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance — a High Point, N.C., trade association representing more than 200 manufacturers, including outdoor furniture-makers.

By color, the AHFA refers to plenty of reds, as well as calming shades of nature, including leaf green, sunshine yellow and watery blue.

By comfort, they're talking plush cushioning in a range of prices. Motion — recliners, etc. — is another increasingly popular option.

And by value, "in all price points, in all styles, in all types of outdoor materials, the design details are exceedingly important for the 2010 season, because manufacturers know they need to offer something extraordinary to lure consumers back into stores," the AHFA reports.

Nor do you have to go with an expensive matching set. There are plenty of options for adding an interesting piece or two, such as a bistro set or gazebo.

Locally, outdoor furniture shows up everywhere from supermarkets to specialty stores. Sectionals are popular. Shades of brown and black are found on many frames paired with mix-and-match outdoor fabrics on cushions, throw pillows and umbrellas. And dining sets rival those inside.

What are people looking for? Many want no maintenance, and there's also interest in furniture that can be left out year-round, such as cast aluminum pieces, said Wendy Bailey, manager of Arthur's Home Furnishings in Orchard Park.

In addition, many companies now use a waterproof cover over the inside of the cushions so you can leave them out in the summer rain. All that gets wet is the fabric, which dries very quickly, she said.

"Color-wise, we're seeing lots of tangerines and oranges and still a lot of apple and lime greens. Golds are becoming a little more popular. Spa colors are still out there, and you also have your traditional black, white and red," Bailey added.

The furniture, of course, is just the beginning of creating an outdoor space. Other options include table, floor lamps and chandeliers designed for outdoor use, umbrellas and gazebos and much more.

Local interior designer Sandy Nelson noted the popularity of outdoor rugs made from recycled materials and the design benefit of using them.

An outdoor rug "grounds the conversation area in the same way an area rug grounds an indoor space," said Nelson, who runs Designs of the Times.

Tips for choosing

A good way to begin is to determine your budget, your needs, your space and your lifestyle. It's also style-smart to develop a color scheme that works with your garden and house.

One tip from Home Depot: "A simple way to create a cohesive look is by coordinating indoor elements, such as color and theme, with outdoor accessories (pillows, umbrella, etc.) and landscaping for consistent appearance and flow."

And don't ignore the exterior color of your house.

"I like coordinating your outdoor furniture to the outside color of your house," said Janiak, who decorated the second-floor terrace at last year's Decorators' Show House.

With a move to a new house — with its beige siding and black trim — Janiak is in the market for outdoor furniture, likely wrought iron.

"I might do a black accent in the fabric, or black or sandstone on the wrought iron itself," said Janiak.

She'll also choose a pop color, such as lime green or purple.

"I like my outdoor furniture to be fun," said Janiak, who offered additional tips for furniture-shoppers.

Besides choosing a color scheme, consider the architectural style of the house.

If the style of your house is Victorian or English Tudor, choose furniture in a similar style, she suggested.

"If your home is streamlined and contemporary, follow through with that," she said.

Proportion also comes into play. Consider the size and scale of the area you are working with — just as you would inside.

"Match the size of your furniture to the size of the space," Janiak said. Larger-scale furniture for big patios; nothing too overwhelming for smaller ones.

Another furniture-buying tip: "Think about how you're going to use it and who is going to use it," Janiak said.

"What your activities are and the lifestyle of the family determines what you're going to select," she said.

Those who like to kick back will be happy with lounging furniture. Those who like to have friends over for meals or to play cards will want to incorporate a table and chairs.

Those with swimming pools or active kids will want to take those factors into account when choosing fabrics and furniture styles.

And adults who love to sit around and socialize will get plenty of use out of comfortable chairs arranged around a fire pit.

Take a seat

When possible, you'll also want to sit in the chairs to get a feel for them — just as you would indoor furniture.

In addition, here are just a few tips from Consumer Reports that might help in your selection (you might want to do some research online to find more):

Pull chairs to the table to determine if the seat height seems right. Make sure there is plenty of leg room.

Check the armrests. Are they too narrow? Too high for tables?

Make sure cushions fit the seats well and have ample padding.

Inspect wood furniture for closely fitted joints. Welded joints on metal furniture should be neatly done and unobtrusive.

Finishes should be evenly and carefully done. Wood should be sanded smooth all over. Painted surfaces uniform, with no drips, ripples or missed spots.

Make sure there are no sharp, unfinished edges on metal furniture.

smartin@buffnews.com