Choosing furniture depends on personal taste and how much money you can spend, but it should always be in line with the size of the porch. Avoid using large armchairs if the space is small. The porch should always be a comfortable and above all cool place.

Furniture options
� Wood: this kind of furniture is a classic for outdoor settings, and the versatility of its designs makes it adaptable to any style. Prices depend on the quality of the furniture, but investing a bit more here will mean comfort and durability. Wooden furniture is maintained by treating it with oil once a year.
� Iron: strong, sturdy and unchanging. This kind of furniture has plenty of advantages but one setback: it is heavy and hard to move around. These days there are models that combine wrought iron with aluminium, which makes for tables and chairs and that are considerably lighter. They require little maintenance and can be kept outdoors all year.
� Fibre: the natural fibers most commonly used in gardens are ratan, bamboo and loom. They are less resistant to inclement weather than other materials, but their big advantage is that they can be used both indoors and outdoors. At the end of summer it is a good idea to clean this kind of furniture with a root brush and water with a handful of salt dissolved in it.
There is a synthetic fibre that is in fashion for outdoor furniture, called Hularo. It looks like ratan but is more sturdy. Neither water nor humidity damage its surface. 
� Resin: these pieces are light, modern, durable, recyclable and above all, affordable. Clearly they lack the elegance and strength of wood or wrought iron, but over the long run they are a good buy, offering quality at a reasonable price. 
Tables can be made of any of these materials, in the case of combined fibres, generally with glass. The glass should generally be sand-blasted or reinforced, which are more resistant to unexpected bumps or scratches from particles carried by the wind.

Lighting is fundamental
The latest ideas for outdoor lighting are exotic and daring -Moroccan-style lamps, conical shapes, ceramics, rustic-looking clay-. However, regardless of what style you choose, any permanent electrical fittings that are going to be installed in a garden or terrace must have wiring and other equipment  that is completely protected from moisture.

Ideas for decorating a table
We propose some ideas for making your outdoor dinners and lunches a big success.
� Tableclothes: choose brightly colored tableclothes, preferably made of cotton, that contrast with the seat cushions. To keep them from flapping in the wind, use a clothespin on either side of the table. Plastic tableclothes never go over well. Save them for children�s picnics and parties.
� Dishes: white or colored dishes are the most appropriate. A simple design, or even a rustic one that fits in well with a natural setting, are always best.
� Candles: dinner on a porch is not complete without candles. If there are aromatic flowers in the area, such as jasmine or lady of the night, it is better that the candles be scentless.
� Decorations: to make the table more attractive you can hang colored lanterns above it; bowls with water and floating candles are very relaxing. In order to keep insects away, there is nothing better than incense, which burns little by little over the course of hours and scares off mosquitoes.