Something is appealing about the thought of converting a portion of your backyard into an outdoor family room for two or three seasons of the year. It is unquestionably a less expensive alternative than adding another space to your home. Who needs walls anyway? Open-air living has a "green" appeal. It reconnects you with nature, which you can regulate with a flick of the garden hose or a spritz of insect spray.
Patio décor must be more than just visually appealing to resist the elements and deliver good value for your outdoor decorating cash. Let's look at ten things to consider when looking for outdoor furniture.
Maintain a High Standard of Quality
A detailed investigation will reveal that excellent outdoor furniture bargains for what it truly is: a terrible investment that won't last till next season, thanks to faulty welds, fractured casters, and incompetent paint finishes. There are many key takeaways here: It's tempting to dismiss outdoor furnishings as less significant than inside furnishings. In reality, the opposite is frequently true. What you buy for usage outside must be able to withstand sun exposure, wind, rain, and possibly some roughhousing as well. Examine everything you're thinking about buying for defects, especially if the price seems too good to be true. In this case, a higher price is frequently a good indicator of higher quality.
Function comes before form
When selecting the suitable materials for your outdoor furniture, consider how you intend to use it and how much time you want to maintain it.
Here are only a few examples: If you plan to pull it into the front yard for the yearly neighborhood block party or store it in the shed come October, a lightweight metal or plastic chair will be rust-resistant and straightforward to move. It won't have the bulk and stability of iron or stainless steel pieces, but it may be stackable (or foldable), so you may hang it on a wall in an inconspicuous location when not in use.
While a wood loveseat is more substantial and feels like the type of furniture you're used to having indoors, a wicker loveseat is more delicate and delicate. It will still necessitate additional maintenance, such as a coat of sealer every couple of years, and shifting it from place to place to catch some shade (or sun) may also be an issue.
- Aluminum, plastic, and PVC: These building materials are rustproof, lightweight, affordable, and require little weather treatment. They are also simple to clean with soap and water.
- Steel and wrought iron: are both solid and durable, although they will rust if not weatherproofed or coated regularly.
- Rattan, wicker, and natural grasses: It's incredible how good natural materials like wicker look and last outside, especially when coated with a resin finish. However, they may require extra weatherproofing every few years.
- Wood: Natural wood looks excellent in outdoor furniture. It creates strong furniture that is as comfy as anything you would use indoors. It does necessitate regular preservative treatment and may also necessitate UV protection. Teak, redwood, cypress, and cedar are all weather-resistant timbers to use.
Make Smart Choices
You've probably seen those slingshot-shaped wire chairs. They work as chairs, but you wouldn't want to sit on one if you didn't have to. Some patio chairs are overly narrow. Others are built so low that getting out of them is embarrassing, especially for the elderly. Also, sizing loveseats and couches is challenging.
As a result, sitting for lengthy periods can be a challenge. When looking for outdoor furniture, relax. Try out your ideas. Think comfort, buy comfort.
Remember the Shade
Sitting outside during the warmest part of the day might be uncomfortable if your furniture isn't shaded. What can replace a big old shade tree? A shade cover. No matter if your patio or deck is covered permanently with wood or fiberglass, you'll want some natural shade.
Make it adaptable
Everyone wants to utilize that lovely footstool in the family room. It's a comfy, flexible, and valuable item. You want that in your outdoor furniture, too. Consider adding this versatile patio furniture to your wish list:
- Portable umbrellas
- Barriers or screens that hide street or neighboring home views (Some even have planters in the base for stability and a splash of seasonal color)
- Wheeled carts for bringing food inside and out of the house
- Drop-leaf, collapsible or accordion tables
Track the Sales
Everyone loves a good deal, and seasonal items like outdoor furniture can vary in price by up to 40% depending on when and where you buy. Unless you can get significant promotional discounts, avoid buying in the spring.
It's ideal for making your purchases between July 5 (just after the holiday) and late August, when the summer shopping season comes to a close (in most parts of the country)
Even if you buy in August and store your products in the garage or basement until the following spring, you'll be well ahead. Large chain stores with seasonal departments that need to be cleared out and restocked regularly are your best hope for unadvertised deals.
If you see anything you like, ask the department manager to have it at a lower price. You might be surprised by what he has to give. It never hurts to inquire.
Make Use of Your Furniture
It's lovely to think of your outdoor room as an oasis of peace in a frantic world, but it's not on a desert island somewhere; it's on your property – and sometimes in plain view of neighbors and passers-by.
You may think that bright orange lounger with the yellow happy faces is beautiful, but make sure it doesn't conflict with the rest of the exterior of your home. Sure, outdoor furnishings should be enjoyable and carefree, but if you've just spent a million improving your home's curb appeal, don't ruin the impression with a foolish, seasonal accent item.
Luxurious and plush
The importance of comfort cannot be overstated. You may choose steel or wood construction in your patio furniture for solidity and endurance, but keep in mind that without some standard amenities like soft, velvety cushions, your outdoor furniture will go largely unused. Avoid using pancake cushions.
You know, those tiny, puny little pillows that aren't exceptionally soft or supple. Choose plump pillows that feel light when picked up. Look for cushions that have polyester filler as well. The lighter and springier the filler, the faster it will dry after being exposed to moisture. That implies it will be resistant to mold and mildew and will remain comfy and fragrant for a more extended period.
Examine the Particulars
A patio set may appear appealing, but it may contain defects that can cause difficulties after a few months:
- Choose spring-filled cushions for large furniture items. They'll keep their shape for a more extended time.
- Bring a magnet while inspecting metal furnishings. Aluminum is not magnetic, although steel is frequently magnetic. Although it does not work with all forms of steel, you may occasionally tell the difference between aluminum and steel construction (or fittings) using a magnet. Remember that steel rusts, whereas aluminum and stainless steel do not.
- Aluminum loungers with long, unsegmented framing parts are ideal. But, even if they cost a bit more, they will last for an extended time.
- Check the legs of chairs to ensure they are solid and sturdy. Sit in the chair to examine if it shifts or flexes as you put weight on it. Chairs with cross bracing components earn bonus points.
- Choose furniture that has been assembled with stainless steel screws.
- Run your hands along the wood pieces to ensure they're smooth.
- Ensure the chair and table legs have rubber or plastic feet that will not scratch your deck or patio.
Take Note of the Textiles
You can't just take a pillow from your living room and expect it to adjust to life on the patio. Most indoor/outdoor textiles are constructed of all-weather materials that repel water or encourage moisture to dissipate quickly by remaining porous.
Fabrics intended for outdoor use are often fade-resistant and UV protected. They'll look excellent, feel soft, and be comfy for at least a few seasons. Check cushion seams for heavy-duty thread and consistent, even stitches when evaluating materials for outdoor furniture—select cushions with vents to promote air movement and quick drying.
Invest in furniture with cushions that can be unzipped and taken apart regularly for airing, repair, or replacement. It's also a good idea to purchase outdoor furniture with reversible cushions. It will help them keep their form, dry faster, and fade evenly. Acrylics, polyester, treated canvas, and the cotton duck is comfortable, long-lasting textiles used to make outdoor furniture. They can be found in upholstered furniture, cushions, pillows, curtains, blinds, and umbrellas.
Takeaway
The move to outdoor living, on the other hand, demands a careful reallocation of resources. Choosing comfortable, long-lasting furniture for your outdoor living area this season could mean the difference between enjoying the fresh air on your patio for a while and retreating home after a few cramped, uncomfortable minutes parked on a cheap patio chair.