Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide
Modern outdoor furniture can mean so many things. It evolves around individual lifestyle and habits. For some, it may mean outdoor activities like playtime for kids; family meals and quiet time for evenings; for others, it may mean outdoor parties, patio and deck furniture for pool parties, and while for someone else it may mean Adirondack outdoor chairs for relaxing, and accessories like outdoor umbrellas to keep the sun off.
You can find the most contemporary outdoor collection in different styles that fulfill the norms on outdoor furniture, especially emphasizing on functionality and durability. Ponder upon the basic checklist before you start looking for furniture. It helps to do some homework and do a realistic analysis of your needs,
Right size and shape: What is the right size and shape? It depends on the number of people you entertain regularly. You may want to measure the open area, and for patio furniture, pay attention to the color scheme of your home. You don’t want to buy something odd.
Quality: For all furniture, quality is important. For outdoor furniture, it gains significance due to the wear and tear outdoors expose the furniture to and which is completely out of control. And it is likely that you will have little time for regular maintenance. You don’t want to buy cheap furniture to change it again soon. So, check out mid-ranging furniture that is both quality conscious and complimentary to the natural surroundings.
Time: How much time can you spend on maintenance? Aluminium or wrought iron furniture is hardwearing, but teak may need a coat of oil every six months, which is pretty ok too. The natural feel of wood is hard to ignore and teak happens to be the most natural choice for outdoor furniture.
Check guarantees, warranties and after-sale services, if any. You may want to know the details before hand. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Wisdom says that nothing will last in a perfect condition. So, you can ask questions and learn what it takes to fix things. You could always speak to someone with thorough knowledge.
Longevity: It is the most difficult one to ask, “How long the furniture can last on an average?” Does it require assembly? How easy/difficult it is to assemble. Also check the availability and color and finish choice offered
Following are the materials normally used,
Wooden Furniture
Teak is one of the most popular outdoor furniture owing to its natural weathering properties. It is gifted with natural oils that resist rot and decay. The high-quality wood makes it one of the most durable choices. While the natural look and feel is a favorite with furniture buffs, wood also keeps the heat away and is easy to clean. Teak furniture stands the test of time and has been seen to adorn outdoor space over decades with a little routine maintenance and care. Other wooden furniture used outdoor must include Balau and Eucalyptus wood that is comparatively cheaper.
Highlights
• Great outdoor furniture: Can be left outdoors year-round
• Compliments outdoors: Looks natural in greens and outdoors
• Requires routine maintenance: 6-monthly/yearly
• Can stand rough weathers
• It’s fresh and cool to the touch making it great for summers
Wicker:
Another favorite outdoor furniture material, Wicker is durable and meets the standards on classic naturalness. You may like Rattan furniture for outdoors on a consistent weave that does not hook clothing when you sit. Then there is Resin that allows the natural look and is often framed with the help of robust material like aluminium for outdoors. Then there is furniture made from sea grass that not only looks natural, but also can be washed with water, requiring very low maintenance.
Highlights
• Natural look: compliments indoor and outdoors
• Robust and lightweight
• Comes in variety of styles and colors
• Easy maintenance: Good for outdoors
Metal
Robust Metal furniture is used outdoors owing to its affordability. Tubular hollow aluminium furniture is comparatively less expensive than wrought iron. Tubular aluminium is lightweight and not so great for windy outdoors. Wrought aluminium and cast aluminium furniture is great and can weather off rough seasons. Pay attention to quality and joint welding, which should be in steel to avoid rusting. Also, powder coated aluminium furniture is more lasting.
Highlights
• Longevity: Longstanding & rustproof
• Easy to move
• The surface may heat under direct sunlight
• Can bestow your outdoors with a old and classic look
Choose the one that fits your preference and match up other accessories in tandem. You can also mix and match furniture articles to create a unique outdoor setting. Let the open space determine its best use. All the best.
