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The last thing you want is for your garden chair to collapse under Aunty May (even if she is on the larger side these days), or for Grandad to become folded up inside the lounge chair or your sun umbrella to come crashing into your dining table at the slightest breeze… but seriously, badly designed, flimsily made and poorly maintained garden furniture can cause bad accidents from head injuries, trapped fingers through to dangerous scratches from rusty parts. So this summer don’t go rushing to Accident and Emergency, instead pay a visit to a reputable furniture store and check out some solid furniture pieces for your outdoor garden space.
If you follow this checklist you will be on the right track...
- Go for quality - cheap outdoor furniture will not survive many seasons. To get the most out of your outdoor furniture it is best to invest in high quality pieces which will withstand the elements and the test of time.
- Look for Comfort- wood, metal, rattan, and wicker are great options for for outdoor furniture but make sure the set comes with outdoor fabric cushions, which will withstand the elements. This added comfort will encourage your friends and family to linger. If your outdoor set is missing this cozy comfort factor, consider getting a set of after market weather-proof cushions… you won’t regret it!
- Find low maintenance furniture - wood furniture that is sealed, weather-proofed or made of durable teak, and metal furniture with a powder coating finish... are commonly strong, durable and easy to wipe down, or hose off. This will increase the amount of time you will have to relax in your garden.
- Think about storage - sometimes the excitement of warmer months leads us to forget that harsher winter months that will follow. Remember it all has to be stored somewhere, that’s if you are hoping to maximize your investment and extend the life of your furniture. Consider where you will keep it before you buy. A shed or garage are the perfect places. Also consider the weight of the furniture. If it’s too heavy to move you will likely need to invest in outdoor furniture covers for the cold winter months…and don’t forget there are always folding models that use up a fraction of the space when put into storage.
- Consider your decor - both outside and in. Style and colours that compliment your interior decorations will help to create a seamless flow. You can always add some fresh new pops of colour to the outdoor space in one or two areas... to add some excitement and freshness to the space. Keep the colour palettes similar to those inside to tie everything together.
- Plan the outdoor layout - take note of how you are using the space naturally, you want things to be comfortable and well laid out so that you are not having to navigate around awkwardly positioned furniture. Take measurements or request them from your retailer. Use masking tape on the ground to map out your ideas before you buy. If you have a small space, consider simple designs like bistro sets and benches. If you have a larger space then you can go for bigger pieces like a rattan modular sofa or a full blown dining set – maybe even one with an ice bucket or BBQ grill in the middle of the table!
This summer make sure that Aunty May doesn’t die of embarrassment and Grandad doesn’t end up with the bends but most of all have fun day-dreaming, creating and planning.
Relax and stay safe, enjoy the summer!
- 29th March 2022