Choosing Outdoor Furniture

If you enjoy entertaining friends and family or simply love spending time outdoors then it makes sense to carefully consider your outdoor furniture. People will choose their interior furniture to blend with the surroundings so the same should apply with your outdoor settings if you are going to spend a lot of time there.

There are many variations in outdoor furniture including bistro sets, great for small spaces, dining sets, from the very casual to the most elegant, or conversation sets, where you can relax with friends and family.

Before purchasing any outdoor furniture there are several considerations to think about in order to make the best choice.

Style

A patio or backyard can be considered as an extension of the home so you may want to carry style of the furnishings in the home through to the outdoor furniture, for example this may be casual, traditional or modern. The style of the outdoor furniture will also depend on how you will use your space. Will it be used as an informal family dining area or do you have a lot of dinner parties? Maybe the space is going to be used for a cozy conversation area or as a quiet place to relax and read a good book.

Space

The amount of available space may very well dictate the kind of outdoor furniture that you can purchase. The area should be large enough to accommodate the pieces that you want with enough room to move around when people are seated.

Material

Outdoor furniture comes in a range of materials including wood, aluminum, plastic, wrought iron and wicker. Some of the points to think about when choosing are durability, comfort, looks and whether the situation will be exposed to the elements.

Wood
Wooden outdoor furniture looks very attractive in any situation, but especially in a country style setting. It can be a bit hard for sitting on but the addition of cushions will sole this problem. Wood may not stand up to extreme weather conditions; cedar in particular may not be very durable in rainy climates so it would need to be stored   indoors over winter. The most common types of wood used are cedar, teak, redwood and cypress. Teak is a very good choice as it is resistant to termites and has natural oils to provide a smooth, splinter free finish for many years.

Aluminum
Aluminum offers beauty and durability in all weathers. You can choose scroll work on chair backs and legs as well as table tops, much like wrought iron, so it will fit well into a Victorian setting. Aluminum patio sets are lighter than wood or iron therefore easy to move if you want to rearrange. They can easily be washed down, won’t fade, chip or rust and require very little maintenance.

Plastic
Plastic is lightweight and comfortable but not very durable if not well cared for.

Wrought Iron
This is the most expensive kind of outdoor living furniture but is a timeless classic that looks good in any situation. A wrought iron setting will be very durable but can be uncomfortable because of the hardness. It will be heavy to move but at least you will have no problems if you live in a windy area. Its color and appearance can be maintained through all weather conditions as long as the coating is not damaged or scratched.

Wicker
Wicker outdoor living furniture can be made from natural materials (e.g. bamboo, rattan) or synthetic (e.g. resin). Anything made of resin will hold up better to the sun and rain and will be easy to clean by hosing down. Natural materials are susceptible to cracking but can last for years if looked after carefully. Wicker is sturdy enough for an active family and lightweight so it can easily be moved around your yard. It would go well in a casual or romantic setting.

The choice of outdoor furniture is huge but once you have considered the above points you should be in a much better position to pick what is suitable for you.