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How to chose outdoor furniture you'll actually use

Posted on 02/12/2021 10:17 AM | by NaijaHouses

How to chose outdoor furniture you'll actually use

With the potential for outdoor-only Christmas on the cards for many of us, now is the time to upgrade your outdoor living situation.

Kitting out your garden with the right furniture is the difference between creating an extension of your home you’ll actually use, and one that you won’t.

So, while outdoor furniture shopping might not be top of your list of fun outdoor activities, the pay-off for future relaxing weekends is high.

Materials

Most garden furniture is made from either wood, metal or plastic. There are pros and cons to each.

Timber furniture generally requires annual maintenance and will deteriorate over time if left exposed to the elements. However, it looks great, and as a natural product will cause little harm at the end of its life.

Much lower-cost outdoor furniture in NZ is made from kwila, an imported tropical hardwood – while this is a natural material, it isn’t necessarily the ethical choice. Look for items made from sustainable timber, or proven hardwoods such as teak or macrocarpa.

Plastic has come a long way in the outdoor furniture world. Forget the brittle, plastic chairs that could drop you to the floor and stab you in one move.

Resin wicker is a popular material that is a lot more UV stable; it’s also lightweight and easy to clean. Look out for resin wicker made from high density polyetheylene instead of the cheaper and more brittle PVC. Resin wicker furniture has a life span of between 10 - 15 years.

We’ve probably all seen a rusty park bench that proves that metal furniture can stand the test of time. Wrought iron is ornate, and heavy. It will also rust, but you can treat and recoat it – your wrought iron furniture should last a century.

Slightly more practical are lightweight and rust-resistant options like stainless steel or even aluminium. Beware of cheaper metal options which aren't rust-resistant though, especially in salty coastal environments (most of New Zealand).

Concrete is another a popular style choice, but it is incredibly heavy and it will require annual sealing to keep it looking tip-top.

What to think about before hitting the shops

Weigh up how much you are willing to maintain your furniture. If you don’t think you’ll be able to commit to staining timber each year, save yourself the stress.

Factor in how you will protect your furniture over winter, either by purchasing covers or storing in a shed or garage. Consider stackable chairs, which will take up much less space when stored.

Choose furniture based on how you want to use the space. Don’t take up all the space with a huge dining suite if what you really want is a comfy sun lounger or two.

If you want a flexible space where you can push the furniture back to set up the paddling pool or do morning yoga, make sure you choose furniture that is lightweight and easy to move around.

Comfort is just as important outside as it is inside. The whole point of garden furniture is to get you to spend more time outdoors, so find pieces that feel like a holiday.

Look at secondhand options - you may be able to buy a quality of furniture you couldn't afford new, and you’re being environmentally conscious. It’s easy to have furniture picked up and delivered.

Don’t forget the shade, or your beautiful outdoor setting will be mostly unusable. Adequate and convenient shade makes an outdoor space really liveable. Off-the-rack awnings, shade sails and pagoda-style structures are readily available these days from big retailers.

If buying a sunbrella, purchase one larger than you think you need, and with adjustable angles. Just as it pays to have multiple light sources indoors, you need multiple shade sources outdoors, such as permanent shade sails paired with an adjustable suAs with anywhere in your home, the most important thing is that you love it, so make a space that works for you and how you live, that is easy and enjoyable to maintainnbrella.

Outdoor couches need cushions. Take your outdoor furniture to the next level by dressing it up with home comforts and incorporating colour and texture. My tip for less hassle is to store your outdoor cushions inside a large empty bean bag that is quick and easy to bring inside in case of rain.

Source:Stuff.co.ng