There’s something very appealing about the idea of turning part of your garden into an outdoor dining or family room for a few seasons of the year. It’s certainly a less expensive option than adding another room to your home. Open-air living has a lot of green appeal. It gets you back into nature. Here are the top ten tips for buying outdoor garden furniture in 2021
Buy good quality: Outdoor furniture has to stand up to sun exposure, wind, rain, and probably some rough treatment too. Usually, a higher price can indicate higher quality, so don’t be tempted by a deal that seems too good to be true.
Form follows function: Your best bet when deciding on the right materials for your outdoor furnishings is to evaluate how you plan on using your furniture and how much time you want to spend maintaining it. You need to find the balance between sturdy pieces that will live outside permanently, and lighter pieces that can be moved around, folded, stacked, and easily stored.
Don’t undersize: When shopping for outdoor garden furniture, think about relaxation. Test the pieces you have in mind. Think comfort and buy accordingly. Small pieces might be easier to put away in the shed out of season, but they’re a lot less comfortable to relax on. Bigger can be better for maximum comfort.
Don’t forget to add some shade: Whether you’re using a crank-deployed umbrella, a motorized awning or are blessed with a permanent wood or fibreglass roof over your patio or deck, make arrangements for some sheltering shade. Shade is especially important if you have young children.
Make it flexible: Add pieces that can be easily moved around or changed to accommodate different needs, such as expanded for guests or moved in and out of the shade. Tables with drop-leaves, trollies, or folding chairs are all good picks for changing up what’s in the garden and what you can do with it.
Look out for sales: Avoid buying outdoor furniture in spring unless you can find any deep promotional discounts. By far the best time to buy to find a bargain is between July 5 (right after the holiday) and the end of the summer selling season in late August (in most parts of the country).
Integrate your furniture: Outdoor furniture should be fun and carefree, but if you just spent a fortune trying to improve the curb appeal of your home, don’t spoil the effect with a silly, seasonal accent piece. Choose outdoor furnishings that fit in with the style of the rest of your home, even if you do choose something a little more quirky.
Go plush: Comfort is very important. You might want steel or wood in your patio furniture for stability and longevity, but remember that if you don’t have some homey comforts as well like soft, plush cushions, your outdoor furniture will just go unused and unloved. Avoid flat cushions. Instead, look for cushions with polyester filler.. The more lightweight and springy the filler is, the more quickly it will dry out after exposure to moisture, helping it last longer.
Check the details: Look for things like cushions with springs, good quality materials, solid and sturdy legs, pieces that can take your weight, easy assembly, smooth sanding on wood, and feet that won’t damage your deck. Check each piece thoroughly before you part with any money.
Pay attention to the fabrics used: Most textiles that are designed to be used both indoors and outdoors are made from all-weather materials that are able to repel water or encourage moisture to evaporate quickly by remaining porous. Fabrics that have been designed for use outdoors are also usually fade resistant and UV protected. This means they will stay looking good and feeling comfortable for at least a few seasons. When you’re choosing fabrics for your garden furniture, check the cushion seams for heavy-duty thread and consistent, even stitches. Choose cushions with vents that will encourage airflow and quick drying.
When buying garden furniture, make sure you look at plenty of pieces. Pay attention to the details, like the materials used and the finish. Think carefully about how you will use the furniture and make sure it will fit in with your plans. If you want easy to move chairs to put out for entertaining in the garden, for example, don’t be lured into buying a cast-iron bench when folding wooden chairs would suit your purpose much more effectively. Shop around, and keep an eye put for sales, so you can buy the most possible quality without completely blowing the budget.
