Ways to Choose Garden Furniture: 5 Factors to Consider

08/16/2014 00:00

In buying outdoor garden furniture, there are certain factors you need to check for first to ensure that you spend your money on furniture pieces that will truly answer your needs. Budget is not surprisingly an important component that you need to consider in searching for your house and outdoor furnishings, but in addition to that, the other factors where you can use more helpful tips about include furniture material, style, size versus available space, comfort, and maintenance requirements. These five factors are further discussed in this simple but essential guide to purchasing the right outdoor furniture.

Material

Outdoor furniture is normally made out of materials that can resist the weather better, for example, rattan, timber, wrought-iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. Choose natural plant materials for an easy outdoorsy feel, or more modern metal materials for added character and spunk.

Style

Furniture style largely depends on material. Small wrought-iron chairs, by way of example, often have intricate designs that reflect the French style with an antique touch. Chunky timber benches inspire a more rustic ambience, while sleek stainless steel chairs offer sophisticated elegance.

Space

Take out that measuring tape and work out exactly how much space you really have for your garden furniture. Take care to leave ample space over for walkways and enough room for any other movement; you don’t want your furniture to look like they've been crammed in too tightly without enough elbow room left over. Note down the measurements you have made and relate to it while shopping for your outdoor furniture, whether you’re just looking at online catalogs or visiting physical furniture showrooms. You shouldn't commit to buying furniture without checking whether its dimensions will comfortably fit your available space. No matter how elegant the design or high-quality the material, if the piece does not actually fit the region, it will be of no practical used to both you and you certainly will end up wasting time, money, and effort.

port royal prestige corner sofa

Comfort

The garden furniture is not going to be there for mere display; they have to be functional pieces you may not only use, but actually enjoy using. The key to this really is checking for comfort before purchasing furniture pieces most notably sofa sets, chairs, sun loungers, daybeds, and deck chairs. If you’re buying a rattan chair, for example, sit in it to get a feel for fit and comfort. Stands out as the chair seat roomy adequate to fit you front to back and side to side, but without having you feel dwarfed by its size? If it comes with a cushion—that is recommended, to prevent sagging in the long haul—does it have ample padding? If you're shopping for a rattan dining set, check that the seat heights are suitable for the table height, and therefore the table's legs give the sitters plenty of clearance.

rattan corner sofa

Maintenance

Maintenance needs are decided by furniture material. All-weather wicker rattan furniture will need a straightforward routine cleaning involving a soapy but not wet wiping using a soft cloth, and air-drying it afterwards. You may use a small toothbrush dipped in soapsuds to reach the small crevices in woven furniture, but you would have to be cautious never to soak rattan furniture. As for aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic furniture, you should hose them down with tepid to warm water to clear away airborne dust and dirt. With wrought-iron metal chairs made of more traditional heavy cast iron, it is important to protect them from rust by protecting them from rain exposure and performing routine repainting.