Patio World, the local destination for high quality outdoor furniture, is an institution in Bend. Founded in 1997 by Scott Holmer, it continues to focus on offering the finest furniture with timeless style for outdoor entertaining. Although Scott passed away last year, his son, Eric, is continuing his father’s legacy.
“I've loosely been a part of it my whole life because we used to live above our skiing/patio shop,” says Holmer. His father founded The Lift Ski & Patio shop – where Pine Mountain Sports is currently located – in Bend in 1988. “In the fall of 2015, I came on board full time, and I am now the president of the company.”
Patio World has grown tremendously over the years, and since 2022, has occupied a new 14,000 square foot building filled with outdoor lounge sets, dining tables, chairs, fire pits, umbrellas, and pillows made primarily in the U.S. “We offer top quality brands that have better welds, better powder coating processes for the frames, and higher quality fabric that will withstand sun, wind, and moisture exposure year after year,” Holmer explains.
Holmer states that while the less expensive furniture found in big box stores may look the same at first, consumers find that it doesn’t hold up. After a short time, the fabric begins to fade and then deteriorates after one or two years. Additionally, the cushions compress over time, so the entire set often ends up in a landfill rather than staying on a patio, deck, or porch.
This is why it’s worth investing in merchandise that will stand the test of time instead of buying new every couple of years. “At home, I have 6 OW Lee wrought iron powder-coated chairs that have been sitting on my deck uncovered since 2006, and they still function great and look pretty good,” he notes.
Most of the products found at Patio World, says Holmer, are going to last 15-plus years unless they're made of wood. “Those may potentially have a shorter lifespan, but the metal frames, fabric, and umbrellas are going to last a very long time.”
With the largest collection of luxury outdoor furnishings in Central Oregon, some customers may need assistance determining exactly what they want and need for the space they have available. But the Patio World team can help.
“We’ll first ask them how much square footage they have. It's very helpful if someone has measured the dimensions of their outdoor living space. They may think they have a really large deck, but it's actually only eight feet deep. That can seem pretty big when you're standing there until you put some big furniture on it. We can help them figure it out.”
Another question they ask is how they plan to use the furniture. Are they looking for dining or lounge furniture? If lounge, do they want individual chairs, a loveseat, a sofa, or a combination of all three?
“In the past couple of years here in Central Oregon, we’ve been seeing a trend toward people being more interested in lounge-type seating and not quite as much in table and chair sets for formal dining,” Holmer reflects. “I think it has a lot to do with being in a windy climate, and unfortunately, in some of the warmer months, there's also a bit of smoke, so people aren't setting up that formal outdoor lunch or dinner as frequently.”
Instead, they want to have four to six very comfortable chairs around a fire pit or on a patio or deck to enjoy appetizers and good conversation. Then, when it’s time for lunch or dinner, they can move back inside.
Or they may prefer a more casual outdoor dining experience, sitting in lounge chairs around a fire pit or in front of a coffee table. Having an umbrella to block out the sun is also a frequent purchase and a good investment for the warmer months.
While Patio World carries twelve elevated brands, four are the most in demand. “They all have slightly different characteristics, but they're typically metal frames with different accents, and the chairs all sit differently,” says Holmer.
From a distance, they may look similar, but when a customer actually sits in them, they often find that one fits them better than another. “For some people, it really comes down to the style and curvature of the frames, and whether they want something more, traditional, modern or rustic.”
One of these popular brands is 365 Patio Furniture. “They’re just going into the third year with us, and their merchandise is made from High-Density Polyethylene,” Holmer says. “They feature Adirondack-style chairs and dining sets that are very comfortable and which you can leave outside forever because they won't fade or deteriorate.”
Holmer also appreciates that they’re produced in Albany, Oregon, and that he’s supporting a more local business. “It's something we take note of, and we think it's pretty cool that there's this quality luxury product produced right in Oregon that’s so popular with our customers.”
The other three most requested brands are Telescope Casual, Tropitone, and OW Lee.
Whatever people choose, it’s the desire to be outdoors and enjoy the fresh air that always takes precedence. “I think it’s because of all Bend offers in general,” Holmer emphasizes. “We have the mountains and water for all kinds of activities. And at home, people like having their space and being outside more, especially if they've migrated from the big city.”
When you have comfortable, attractive, and durable furniture, it makes it a lot more pleasant to hang out with family and friends year after year. Whether you’re living in a townhome-type setting and just have a small porch, or a large home with plenty of space, Patio World has what you need.
“We enjoy being able to offer quality products that customers are excited to purchase and use,” states Holmer. “Also, we like helping them make decisions that they're very comfortable with and that they'll appreciate for a long time.”
Stop into Patio World and let Holmer and his team help you create your own outdoor retreat with furniture crafted for comfort, timeless style, and endurance that you can enjoy for many years to come.
38 Years in Bend:
The Evolution of Patio World
1976 - Scott Holmer started The Lift Ski Shop in Minnesota.
1984 - He expanded this business to include patio furniture.
1988 - Holmer and his wife moved to Bend and built The Lift Ski & Patio (now Pine Mountain Sports) on Century Drive. There they raised their family of two children in the upstairs apartment.
1997 – Holmer founded Patio World and Race Place ski shop
2002 – As the business grew, Patio World relocated to Reed Market Rd and was renamed Race Place/Patio World. Race Place has grown to be the largest supplier of Alpine Ski Racing gear in North America and ships gear throughout the continent, as well as being a favorite workshop for discriminating local skiers.
2021 - As the business outgrew the space on Reed Market, Holmer launched the design and construction of a new 14,000 square foot Patio World building that opened in 2022. The expansive new showroom is located on Columbia Street overlooking Riverbend park in the Old Mill District.
Patio World of Bend
665 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702
(541) 388-0022
PatioWorldBend.com
“. . . it’s worth investing in merchandise that will stand the test of time instead of buying new every couple of years.”
—Eric Holmer, President
Patio World of Bend
“When you have comfortable, attractive, and durable furniture, it makes it a lot more pleasant to hang out with family and friends year after year.”
—Eric Holmer, President
Patio World of Bend