How to pick the right outdoor furniture

These days, homeowners are very interested in creating nice outdoor living spaces the blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Do you like to entertain guests? On nice evenings would you like the ability to relocate to the backyard? If so, then you’re going to need some nice, outdoor furniture. Here are some tips for picking the right stuff.

Start with a list of activities

Before you can buy any furniture for your outdoor living space, you need to think about all the various ways that you might use that space. Do you have a large backyard with a pool that you’ll use for pool parties? Is it a smaller space where you’ll primarily barbecue or sit around with drinks? It will probably be helpful to head out into the space with a tape measure to plan out how much space you will have for the various furniture you will need. You can then take those measurements with you when you go out to shop.

Choose durable materials

The most affordable outdoor furniture you can find is going to be made with cheap materials that won’t hold up very well when exposed to the elements 24/7. It’s going to be better in the long run to spend a little more on furniture that can last many years. Some good options include teak and cedar, powder-coated metal (such as aluminum and iron, and various plastics and fabrics. Try to find products that use UV-stabilizers which will help to minimize the fading of color when the furniture is exposed to sunlight. If you’re looking for something upholstered, try to find weather-resistant fabrics. It may even be worth it to you to invest in a roof overhang to provide year-round shade and protection from the rain. Make sure you read the instructions that come with each product as these will tell you how to care for your furniture.

Evaluate quality

Not only do you want your furniture to hold up well against the elements, you want it to last through heavy use. Inspect each piece of furniture carefully, especially the joints. Metal welds should be smooth and gap-free. Wood joints should fit snugly. Avoid furniture that has glued or nailed connections. Inset screws or wood dowels are going to be better.

Shop around

You probably aren’t going to find all of the perfect furniture in a single store, and even if you do, it’s still a good idea to look at a number of stores. Shop on holidays to find the best deals. If you’re patient and willing to go to a number of different stores, chances are you’ll find everything you’re looking for at the right price.

Mix up styles

Don’t feel like you have to buy all of your furniture from a single outdoor collection. In fact, you don’t have to purchase a single matched set of anything. Play around with different textures and materials. They don’t have to be the same in order to go together well. Blending classic and contemporary designs can also yield some interesting results.

Source: Curbed

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