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Having your patio, balcony, garden or any outdoor living area furnished properly can make it truly feel like a relaxing and comfortable place to be. Furnishing your outdoor living space can be just as difficult as furnishing inside your house. Having the right outdoor coffee table and lounge chairs is essential in creating this a worthwhile space to be in. So, before you go out there and purchase the first products you see, take the time and check out some tips, and some things to avoid when you’re furnishing that special outdoor place.
Prioritise quality over price
It may seem obvious but it can’t be stated enough that when picking furniture you need to ensure it’s a quality product. Whilst it is tempting to save some money and pick the cheapest option available that still looks good, that can be a mistake. By purchasing cheap furniture you may save money in the short term, but you may end up having to replace it sooner than later, causing you to buy replacement furniture. Exposure to the elements can cause the materials on the furniture to wear down, and possibly become brittle, making it unstable to sit on or rest on. Quality outdoor furniture usually has weather-resistant coatings and materials, to make sure it lasts a long time and stays looking good.
Also, note that you should still check whether the materials are of a good quality, don’t just buy the expensive options either. Look for reviews of the piece you want online or in landscaping magazines to give you a better idea of the build quality.
Take measurements
You should shop for furniture that is going to fit into the location that you want it to be. It can be frustrating buying a piece of furniture only to find out it doesn’t fit properly or doesn’t offer enough space once you get home. Basically, you want to take measurements of everything. Take a measurement of how wide your deck is, and measure the piece you’re going to fit there. A good idea is to make templates out of cardboard and paper of the exact measurements of the product you’re going to buy and test whether they fit or not. Also consider the room they leave behind, as they may fit, but don’t offer enough room to walk past. Take note that you should also measure the feet size, as you don’t want to be sitting on a lounge and one of the legs to slip through the gap of a wooden deck.
Consider neutral colours for more permanent furniture
Everyone has their own style and takes on how furniture should look, but if you lean too heavily into bright colours it can become garish in an outdoor environment. When you have furniture outside the best way to compliment the natural landscape around is to use neutral and natural-looking colours. Despite the quality of the material some fading and discolouration is inevitable and is most noticeable in more vibrant colours. If you do miss that vibrancy in your outdoor space, consider adding pillows, vases and other ornaments that closer suit your taste.
Pick the right material
Picking the right furniture goes beyond just looking good, try to take into account the materials they’re made of and whether they suit your needs or not. Different materials have different uses and benefits.
A coffee table made of wrought iron may look beautiful and be quite sturdy, but if you need to move your furniture around constantly because of mowing or for making room when no one is out there, then this might not be a good choice. Some collapsible tables made of aluminium or high-quality plastic can be a lot easier to manage and move around.
Another aspect to consider is the maintenance required for the material in outdoor conditions. A wooden sofa requires more weatherproofing and attention than a plastic or pvc one, but will typically last longer with that extra care.
Some of the most common materials are as listed here:
- Wood: Looks attractive and suits the natural outdoors look. It can also last a long time with care and attention, although if you don’t have the time for using weatherproofing products every year or so, it can quickly degrade in exposed elements.
- Lightweight materials: Lightweight materials such as PVC, aluminium, and wicker woods are easy to manoeuvre and can look quite good. They can even be surprisingly sturdy if you pick a quality product. Even though it may be good quality, a lightweight material like this isn’t as durable or long-lasting as steel, wrought iron, and wood.
- Wrought Iron and steel: A solution that is durable and sturdy, much like wood. It can be harder to find the right style to fit your landscape project as the material can clash with the environment. Although, if you find the right one it can look as or more beautiful than any polished wood. Keep in mind if they aren’t weatherproofed they may be prone to rust, weld joins, and sockets for screws are some common locations for rust.
Time to buy the products
Furnishing any part of your home should be a fun process for your backyard landscaping project. Picking the right products that make you happy, and that you think look good is the most essential aspect of furnishing, it will be reflected in the end result. If you think your choices are stylish and sleek, chances are other people who come to visit will most likely think the same thing. Your home, your furniture. So, go out to your local furnishing store, and check out all the options available. Remember, there are a few things to take into account, such as using the right materials, making sure you find quality products, and to measure everything. The only thing to do is to just get out there and buy some stuff. If you’re unhappy with it, most furnishing shops allow a refund within a short period, so play around with it.
